When did AIDS treatment start in Africa?
In 1996 the effective combination therapy known as HAART became available for those living with HIV in rich countries. The new drugs were so effective that AIDS death rates in developed countries dropped by 84% over the next four years .
Where and when did the first African national AIDS treatment program start?
Botswana became the first African country to begin providing antiretroviral treatment through the public sector. The WHO published guidelines for providing antiretroviral drugs for treating HIV infection in resource poor countries. They also released a list of 12 essential AIDS drugs.
When did they start to treat AIDS?
The group went on to develop Zidovudine (AZT), the first medicine for the treatment of HIV and AIDS – which was approved in the US on 19 March 1987.
When were ARVs introduced in South Africa?
South Africa introduced free ARVs in the public sector in April 2004 after a lengthy battle between activists and former President Thabo Mbeki and Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who questioned the link between HIV and AIDS, and ARVs' effectiveness.