Hon Speaker, the ANC commends the Department of Health for the roll-out of the fixed-dose combination treatment during the 2013-14 financial year. On Monday, 8 April, at Phedisong Clinic in Ga- Rankuwa, North Pretoria, the Minister of Health launched the new fixed-dose combination antiretroviral treatment, which will enable HIV-positive patients to take just one pill a day.
The new drug is available at all 3 000 government health facilities across the country. More than 930 000 people have started taking this new treatment. It will however be rolled out to all patients from June 2013.
According to the Department of Health, the new drug is more effective and very affordable with mild side effects.
The ANC welcomes this initiative and believes it makes compliance easier for people who are on treatment, thus helping to ensure that there are no relapses in treatment. Thank you. [Applause.]