South Africa introduces world's largest AIDS treatment plan

The South African government has reversed its previous refusals to use antiretroviral drugs to treat AIDS and will introduce what is likely to be the world's largest comprehensive AIDS treatment plan.

While President Thabo Mbeki was out of the country a long awaited cabinet meeting on 19 November agreed to a plan to introduce the treatment throughout the public health system. President Mbeki is credited with being the main obstacle to having appropriate treatment offered to South …