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Not everybody who is HIV-positive will get antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) from the state, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said yesterday.

Speaking at the city hall here, Tshabalala-Msimang said patients with a CD4 cell count below 200 would be the focus of the initial stages of the planned roll-out of ARVs.

Tshabalala-Msimang explained the Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV and Aids Care, Management and Treatment for South Africa, which was approved by Cabinet in November.

The plan is meant to ensure that there is equitable implementation - patients should get quality care and a high standard of service in both rural and urban areas.

"We don't want to find ourselves in a situation where people flock to urban areas in order to get the necessary treatment," Tshabalala-Msimang said.

She said because some people preferred to use African traditional medicines, the plan will give priority to research into them.

The plan also promotes individual choices of treatment - advice will be given on a variety of health maintenance strategies including positive living, exercise, nutrition and complementary medicines as well as ARV therapy.

"But still, the plan acknowledges that prevention remains our primary hope of reversing the impact of HIV and Aids," she said.

The plan indicates that by the end of the first year of implementation, there will be one accredited service point in each district.

Medical assessments will be undertaken to determine disease stage and appropriate medical care. The assessment will involve a CD4 count test and the patient's medical history and status.

Some members of the public raised concerns regarding confidentiality, saying some doctors disclosed patients' status without their consent.

The minister said the plan would ensure that infrastructure was improved and the training of health professionals was fast-tracked and intensified. – Sapa.

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