Govt to roll out newly improved ARVs in July,2013

People living with HIV and AIDs in Malawi will start receiving new and improved Anti retroviral drugs in July next year.

Director of HIV/AIDs in the health ministry Frank Chibwandila told the Malawi News Agency on Wednesday.

The new ARVs are expected to help in boosting the health status of people living with the HIV virus.

The development comes as the patients continue complaining of the recent ARV drugs saying they have negative impact on them.

Earlier, the authorities were hesitant to procure ARVs citing financial constraints as the new drugs are expensive.

However, Chimbwandila said the government has outsourced enough money enough to buy the new drug and that the ministry will start distributing the drugs in July next year.

He emphasized that priority would go to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Meanwhile, the voluntary HIV testing and counseling week has commenced in Malawi with over 250 thousand people expected to be tested during the campaign.