Rwanda launches universal HIV treatment

Rwanda has unveiled a new initiative under which all HIV positive individuals will be put on anti-retroviral drugs soon after testing positive.

Rwanda's Minister of Health Agnes Binagwaho announced this at a press conference in Kigali.

Binagwaho said the "treat all positive" initiative is a new step in the fight against HIV.

Until Thursday, anti-retroviral drugs were taken by people whose infection was in later stages.

"Knowing where we came from in the 1990s, seeing now that we are at this step is an exemplary story. We have stabilized the rates of HIV in Rwanda, people living with HIV don't die like it was before and this is a success," she said.

She suggested that the new step will help save resources if all stake holders play their part in fighting new infections.

HIV, she said is still a very expensive disease, without vaccine.

She commended partners, including the World Health Organization, the Global Fund, US government among others.

For the last 20 years Rwanda has seen new infections reduce almost by 50 percent and deaths related to HIV, according to government health officials.

Latest reports indicate that HIV prevalence in Rwanda remains at 3 percent with people aged 40 years and above having the highest prevalence.

Medics say treating HIV in its early stages reduces death and serious illnesses by 53 percent.

Some about 17,000 individuals are on treatment.

Officials said some 18,000 infections will be averted saving 3.5 million U.S. dollars per year when the 'treat all HIV positive' is implemented starting July 1.

Dr Sibongile Dludlu, UNAIDS Country Director said with early treatment HIV can be managed since it significantly improves the patients' health and reduces risk of transmitting new infection.

"We as the one UN appreciate the efforts of all partners to fight HIV, we reaffirm our commitment to end AIDS."

Latest UN report showed Eastern and Southern Africa making impressive strides with the anti-retroviral coverage between 2010 and 2015.

Last year there were some 10.5 million people on antiretroviral drugs up from 4 million in 2010.

Erica J. Barks-Ruggles the United States Ambassador to Rwanda said the new development was a momentous event not just for Rwanda but for all.

"We have been working on this for more than 10 years now and we are almost achieving it through our partnership,"

"We are going to be side by the side with partners to see that Rwanda achieves control over this epidemic, together we can create an AIDS free generation," she said. Endit