The national AIDS Commission said today it cannot enrol new cases into treatment schemes due to lack of money from the Global Fund which normally paid for antiretroviral drugs.
Deputy Chairperson Acol Ayom Dor told CRN that currently only 4,000 people living with the HIV virus are under treatment.She said there should be some 40,000 people that are eligible for antiretroviral treatment.
Dr Ayom lamented that the Global Fund stopped and there is no money to treat new cases.
She added that the Government promised 34 million pounds but cut to15 million due to the austerity measures. However, the AIDS Commission got only five million for the next six months.
Dr Ayom said 15 million pounds was too little because almost five million are for salaries and medicines and test kits are very expensive and the Commission needs also some money for its awareness activities.
The Deputy Chairperson revealed the AIDS Commission is buying a new supply of antiretroviral drugs with the help of the Multidonor Trust Fund and the national Health Ministry.