HIV drugs provided

Kampala, Uganda —The Anglican diocese of Namirembe in Uganda will provide generic anti-retroviral HIV drugs free of charge. Moses Matovu, acting diocesan secretary, announced during World AIDS Day events on Dec. 2 that the church would give out the drugs to members of the diocese who tested positive with the HIV/AIDS virus. Counselling on positive living skills and income-generating activities and testing were carried out in December. People who participated, he said, joined the diocesan “post-test club.” Those testing positive get drugs and treatment for minor infections. Christian Aid, a U.K.-based non-governmental organization, is funding the program to provide the drugs until March 2002.