SA to spend more on Aids

Government plans to spend an additional R2.1 billion over this period to combat HIV/Aids and extend its comprehensive treatment programme aimed at helping one million people with life-prolonging anti-retroviral drugs.

Presenting his budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel says: "The hospital revitalisation programme is targeted for additional allocations, the conditional grants for HIV and Aids will increase and tertiary health services are prioritised."

Manuel also allocated R10 billion to be spent on strengthening the police force and judiciary over the next three years.

He also allocated R640 million in 2010/11 for the deployment of the 31 000 police officials who will help boost security at the FIFA World Cup.