Belizeans living with HIV and Aids will benefit from cheaper drugs delivered under a new programme. But these aren't standard anti-retroviral medications, they are highly expensive and highly specialized drugs to treat conditions that appear in depressed immune systems. It's called the Difulcan partnership, where drug manufacturing giant Pfizer donates medication for persons suffering with specific Aids related conditions. Minister of Health Vildo Marin says it is a huge plus in dollar and health value for these persons.
Vildo Marin, Minister of Health
"Today the Ministry of Health has taken yet another important step to ensure improved care and treatment to include the best medications for these two diseases. It has been estimated that the cost is $25 per pill and our patients will require at least two pills per day for 6 to 10 weeks and sometimes as part of maintenance to prevent relapse for up to 6 months which would translate to a treatment cost of as much as $9,000. That is a lot of money."
Belize becomes only the second country in Central America and the 35th in the world to benefit from the programme. Again, it has no dollar or time limit, meaning that those who qualify will receive Difulcan for as long as they need it.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
