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Government has noted the court judgement on the utilisation of the drug, Nevirapine for purposes of preventing mother-to-child transmission.

As we have always indicated, Government is committed to the extension of the utilisation of Nevirapine to all public health facilities, on the basis of results of research in the pilot projects in selected sites across the country. Such an extension would also depend on the establishment of adequate infrastructure and availability of resources.

To the extent that the court judgement reflects an acceptance of this reality, Government welcomes the judgement.

Government is, however, studying the detail of the judgement, in order to establish its premise, including such critical issues as the role of the judiciary in relation to executive policy decisions. This will help inform Government's future course of action. An announcement in this regard will be made early next week.

For further information contact: Ayanda Ntsaluba - Director-General (Department of Health) c/o Sputnik Ratau (083-253-5264)

Issued by: GCIS, 14 December 2001