The Western Cape Department of Health in conjunction with Crusaid, a UK based HIV/ Aids fundraising organization, is to launch the province's first dedicated Anti-Retroviral Treatment Centre in Gugulethu on Thursday 3 March 2005. The 'Hannan Crusaid ARV Treatment Centre' stands out as a pioneering site for anti-retroviral treatment (ARV) in South Africa.

By the end of January 2005, the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health has 6 660 patients on anti-retroviral treatment at 31 sites across the province, exceeding the target set for the current financial year.

The anti-retroviral treatment (ARV) programme proposes a family approach to the provision of antiretroviral therapy to the community by building on the existing HIV care network. It identifies suitable HIV infected individuals for ARV therapy as well as following up on their partners thus offering lifelong ARV therapy.

The programme's aim is to provide treatment for people infected with HIV and pregnant women referred from surrounding clinics and the Midwife Obstetric Unit (MOU) in Gugulethu. The centrally located center would thus function both as a treatment and a training center.

The Hannan Crusaid ARV Treatment Center represents the overall progress of ARV rollout in the Western Cape, says Pierre Uys, MEC for Health Western Cape.

ENDS

Issued by:
The Western Cape Provincial Department of Health
The Communications Directorate
Tel: +27 21 483 3235/ 483 3716/ 483 3245