Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 44 178 522 at 1.39pm on Thursday November 15 2001
Badge of honour: Badges costing R5 will be sold at Absa branches to raise money for children affected by HIV/Aids. The proceeds from the badges will go to the Nelson Mandela Children?s Fund.
Antiretrovirals: A parliamentary committee on women has supported the use of anti-retroviral drugs to treat HIV/Aids, despite their toxicity and side effects. The committee said the government should develop its programme to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as well as create protocols for anti-retroviral treatment of rape survivors in an attempt to protect them from the virus.
Economic impact: The Absa group economic research unit estimates that the economically active population will be almost 24% smaller by 2015 as a result of HIV/Aids. The epidemic may dampen investor sentiment toward South Africa, put pressure on the balance of payments and lead to higher labour costs because of greater absenteeism and training costs. Economic growth will be curtailed, while government and household health-related expenditure is likely to rise.