Zinhle Mapumulo

Zinhle Mapumulo

An HIV-Aids centre that offers affordable antiretroviral drugs was opened in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Zuzimpilo Medical Centre offers antiretrovirals at R350 a month instead of the standard R1200.

Tinyiko Khosa, a director of Zuzimpilo, said the centre would provide high-quality care at a one-stop clinic at which consultations, blood testing and medicines were all available.

"People who are negative will be counselled on how to stay negative.

"For those who test positive, clinic staff will do a CD4 count to determine if they need antiretrovirals," Khosa said.

People not suitable for antiretroviral treatment will be put on a programme that will give them guidance on staying as healthy as possible.

The centre is at the corner of Jeppe and Joubert streets in central Johannesburg. About 1000 people are expected to be put on antiretrovirals by the centre in its first year.

HIV tests will cost R20 and the results will be available in 20 minutes.