- South Africa's health department has released figures
suggesting that HIV infection rates in the country may be greater than
previously thought.
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- A study of women in antenatal clinics suggests that more
than six million of South Africa's 40 million people are infected with
HIV.
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- In May, the state statistics agency estimated that 4.5
million South Africans were carrying the virus.
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- South Africa has often been critised for not taking firmer
action on Aids.
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- Results from the study, conducted last year, indicate
that between 6.29 and 6.57 million South Africans are infected, the health
department said.
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- The department said the corresponding figure for the
end of 2003 was 5.6 million.
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- Conflicting figures
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- However Statistics South Africa, the state statistical
agency, announced in May that 4.5 South Africans were estimated to be infected.
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- That statistic implied that South Africa had been overtaken
by India as the country with the highest number of HIV-positive people.
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- Official figures say India has 5.1 million people with
HIV.
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- However, the South African government's latest announcement
suggests that South Africa does indeed have the largest number of people
living with HIV.
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- The health department published the new findings only
days after the opposition Democratic Alliance launched a legal bid to obtain
a copy of the report.
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- DA spokeswoman Dianne Kohler-Barnard told Business Day
newspaper that the release of the report was "a triumph".
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- But health department spokesman Sibane Mngani told the
newspaper the release was unconnected with the DA's application.
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- HIV infection in South Africa Population - 40m Health
Dept - 6m+ with HIV Statistics agency - 4.5m with HIV
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- © BBC MMV
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- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4672057.stm
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