Pretoria - The North West Department of Health is to add more than 54 000 people on antiretroviral treatment in the next six months.
The decision follows an announcement by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe last month to initiate treatment for all people who test positive with a CD4 count of 350 or less.
North West Health MEC Dr Magome Masike said a total of 1 397 nurses have been trained to administer ARVs in an effort to speed up the process for those who need to be put on treatment.
"An additional ... 500 nurses will also undergo training in the current financial year, accredited facilities to offer ARVs will also increase from 138 to 233 by March 2012," Masike said, expressing his satisfaction in the rollout of ARVs in the province.
The policy changes that marked increased access to treatment, care and support to groups identified as critical in an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality, were first made in 2009, where President Jacob Zuma announced that patients infected with TB and HIV and Aids would now receive ARV treatment when their CD4 count is at 350 or less.
He also announced that TB and HIV/Aids will now be treated under one roof to address early reported deaths arising from undetected TB infection among those who are infected with HIV.
The policy change also covers pregnant women, people who are co-infected with HIV and TB with a CD4 count of 350 or less, and HIV exposed infants who test positive at birth. - BuaNews
