31 000 on ARV waiting list: health department

The health department says a review of its countrywide anti-retroviral programme has revealed that more than 31 000 people are on the treatment waiting list. These are people who have presented themselves at government facilities. The review was done between March and June this year.

The review found that 31 255 patients were awaiting treatment. These are people who have reached the life threatening stages of Aids - with a CD4 count of 200 and below. This is the level at which treatment is initiated.

The health ministry says staffing shortages, especially pharmacists, is the biggest challenge. It however says the number of people awaiting treatment at their sites is far lower than that of between 500 000 and 800 000 people estimated to be needing anti-retrovirals.

Since the roll out programme began, just under 180 000 people have been enrolled at government treatment sites.