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PRETORIA, South Africa — The U.S. says it is giving South Africa $120 million for AIDS treatment in response to a plea from President Jacob Zuma that underlines his new approach to fighting the epidemic.
Under Zuma’s predecessor in the country with the world’s heaviest AIDS burden, the health minister promoted beets to treat AIDS. Zuma’s government has set a target of getting 80 percent of those who need AIDS drugs on them by 2011.
U.S. Ambassador Donald Gips said today the $120 million for drugs, to be disbursed over two years, “is in direct response to the government of South Africa’s request.” Gips was to formally announce the funding at a ceremony today, which is World AIDS Day.
