Last updated: 22 february, 2010 - 18:03 GMT

Scientists advocate radical HIV drug treatment to halt spread of Aids

Anti-retroviral drugs are prepared for distribution to patients (archive photo)

Professor Williams says that globally around 30 million people are infected with HIV and two million die each year

Scientists in South Africa are suggesting a radical shift in the fight against HIV/Aids.

They think that everyone, initially in South Africa, but eventually possibly everyone in high risk areas, should be tested for HIV and if they're positive, be put on anti-retroviral drugs for life.

The idea was put forward at a science conference in San Diego by Professor Brian Williams of the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), who said the plan could rid the world of the disease within 40 years.

The programme would be extremely expensive, costing up to $3bn a year in South Africa alone.

Newshour's Claire Bolderson asked his colleague, the director of SACEMA, Professor John Hargrove, where he thinks the money would come from.

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First broadcast 22 February 2010

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