For the second time in 13 years the United States President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) has come to the fore with funds for upgrading of SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) facilities dealing with HIV/Aids treatment and care, writes [s]DefenceWeb[/s]. No indication was given of how much funding has been made available.
Citing an SAMHS clinic record study, Surgeon-General Lieutenant General Aubrey Sedibe said the incidence of HIV/Aids among South African soldiers was 8.5%. ‘This compares favourably with the national prevalence rate of around 19% and is in stark contrast to speculation by some academics that the HIV and Aids infection rate among soldiers may be as high as 28%. The new SAMHS data indicates a major reduction.’
[link url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33816:another-boost-for-the-militarys-fight-against-hivaids&catid=111:SA%20Defence&Itemid=242]Full DefenceWeb report[/link]