Speaker, thank you Deputy President for your response. The DA welcomes the continuing expansion of the ARV treatment programme. Deputy President, the recent study by the HIV Prevention Trials Network has revealed that by initiating treatment for HIV- positive people it reduces by 96% the risks of transmission to their partners.
Women in South Africa bear the brunt of the HIV/Aids pandemic, which is exacerbated by a patriarchal society where many men do not believe in protective sex. Given that, Sanac is currently developing its 2012 to 2016 national strategic plan conducted in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Department of Finance. This will assist in determining what it would cost if we were to provide every HIV-infected person with ARVs in our country and the future savings through reduced infections that that would bring, as well as health costs. Deputy President, if you have not done so, would you give this House the assurance that you would do? Thank you.