Togo will start distributing free of charge from Nov. 17 the anti-retroviral drugs that extend the lives of HIV/AIDS patients, its government said on Saturday.
"Anti-retroviral medicines distributed by the network of the Central Supply of Essential and Generic Medicines (CAMEG) will be free of charge from Monday 17 November throughout the country," an official statement broadcast on state radio said.Around 25,000 people will benefit from the measure, said Augustin Dokla, who represents a network of HIV/AIDS sufferers, up from 8,000 who already have access to the drugs from CAMEG.
Patients who want to receive the free drugs must register with local medical committees.
Anti-retrovirals bought privately cost between 3,000 and 25,000 CFA francs ($47.53) per month. Such treatment can significantly reduce the level of HIV virus in the blood but transmission risks remain, U.N. health agencies have said.
Since 2006, the rate of HIV infection among the Togolese population has been steady at 3.2 percent, according to official figures.
ARTICLES SUR LE MÊME THÈME
Togo adopts a new constitution
Togolese lawmakers adopted a new constitution on Monday, moving the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system.
Promoting multi-alignment
The African Political Alliance (APA) was launched in May 2023 at the initiative of Togo, aiming to create an informal framework for cooperation among countries sharing the ideals of pan-Africanism and those determined to work towards a politically strong, independent, self-assured, and non-aligned Africa.
China to support Togo in safeguarding its sovereignty, security -Wang Yi
China will continue to firmly support Togo in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.