South Africa is running the largest antiretro-viral (ARV) programme in the world. The number of people on ARV treatment has increased from around 47 000 people in 2004, to 2.4million by the end of June 2013.

South Africa is running the largest antiretro-viral (ARV) programme in the world. The number of people on ARV treatment has increased from around 47 000 people in 2004, to 2.4million by the end of June 2013.

This is a clear indication of how far the system has come. This statement was part of President Zuma’s state of the nation address.

However, one of the more surprising statistics from the speech show that more women than men receive this treatment. 

Head of health journalism, Professor Harry Dugmore attributes this to men being less likely to get tested.  He says men may feel there is no need to know their status and this may sometimes be an issue of masculinity…

Women however, are more likely to get tested especially around their pregnancy.

Research has shown that the South African healthcare system serves more than 80 percent of South Africans. 

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