Just weeks ahead of the April 14 general election, the South African government on Thursday will roll out antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) at five pilot hospitals in the country's richest province, Gauteng. Officials say the move indicates commitment on behalf of the government to fulfill a pledge to make ARVs available in South Africa.

Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg, is among the first of South Africa's nine provinces to introduce ARVs since the government decided last year to drop its opposition to the medicines and launch a national drug program. The Western Cape province around Cape Town began its own distribution plan earlier this year, and other provinces are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

But as Gauteng doctors prepare to sign up patients for the program, opposition leaders say President Thabo Mbeki's government is using the roll-out to win votes. Mbeki's ruling African National Congress is expected to score a solid victory and has dismissed the claims as an opposition effort to "scavenge votes" from frightened voters.

AIDS activists, whose efforts pushed the government into providing ARVs, hailed Gauteng's plan but worry that Mbeki's government is not fully committed to the drugs. "All we can do is read the signals, and unfortunately the signals still cast suspicion on the commitment of the [health] minister and the president," said Mark Heywood of Treatment Action Campaign. Neither Mbeki nor Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is expected at Thursday's launch, Guateng officials said.

Only patients who have been referred by clinics and who meet strict criteria will receive ARV treatment. Health workers at Johannesburg's Helen Joseph Hospital, one of the five pilot hospitals selected, said only a few patients are likely to make the grade -- at least initially. Gauteng Health Department spokesperson Popo Maja said his department has embarked on a mass communication strategy alerting people that not everyone who is HIV-positive will qualify for the roll-out.

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