US/SA HIV/AIDS convention starts

More than 200 000 South Africans were being helped as a result of President George Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and more than 75 000 were receiving antiretroviral treatment.

Dr Mark Dybul, the Acting United States Global HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator, said this in Durban yesterday ahead of the international PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and HIV/AIDS Implementers gathering at the International Convention Centre, which will attract some 1 200 delegates from around the world.

It starts today and runs until Thursday.

The PEPFAR project is the most complex and diverse prevention, treatment and care strategy in the world, and this year will provide R21 billion to support programmes in 120 countries.

R1.4 billion is coming to South Africa - and most of this is earmarked for KwaZulu-Natal, which has the biggest problem.

Dybul said that in the first two years of the Emergency Plan (2004-05), it had supported antiretroviral treatment for more than 400 000 people in the 15 focus nations, 12 of which were in sub-Saharan Africa.

"Ultimately, however, this disease will not be defeated by treatment or care programmes ?… only prevention holds the promise of reversing the tide of HIV infections," Dybul said.

He added that the US supported the most diverse range of prevention strategies of any international partner, including the ABC strategy (Abstain, Be faithful, correct and consistent use of Condoms).