Government policy on ART

The Government has published a National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS 2007-2011. All government departments and civil society organisations like ours try to work in line with the plan so that we are working together.

Anti-retroviral treatment

Most South Africans are entitled to free ART through the government health service once their CD4 count drops below 200.

On 1st Dec 2009, President Zuma announced that as of April 2010:

• All HIV positive babies under 1 year will eligible for treatment regardless of their CD4 count
• HIV positive pregnant women will be eligible if their CD4 count is 350 or less.
• HIV positive pregnant women with CD4 counts over 350 will be given ART from the 14th week of pregnancy to stop transmission to their baby.
• HIV positive people co-infected with TB will be eligible if their CD4 count is 350 or less.