From the editor

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[Find the meaning and references behind the names: Nathan, Martin, Long, Good]

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The mood of clinicians working in the field of HIV medicine has been heartened by reports in the press of recent statements by both the Deputy President and Deputy Minister of Health. Both of these eminent individuals have advocated increased access to antiretroviral drugs and a speeding up of the antiretroviral roll-out programme. The National Strategic Plan for 2007 - 2011 is eagerly awaited, as this document will spell out the detail of how this will be achieved. One model is to decentralise HIV/AIDS care to remove the load from overburdened central facilities. The article by Nathan Ford et al outlines the Lusikisiki model of decentralised HIV care. Attention should be paid to this type of initiative and satellite peripheral centres of excellence need to be established throughout rural South Africa. The initiative of the Society to forge closer links with the Rural Doctors Association of South Africa (RUDASA) will go a long way in facilitating the establishment and support of such centres New drugs are eagerly awaited in South Africa in the fight against HIV. The tardiness of the Medicines Control Council (MCC) in registering such drugs, e.g. tenofovir, is disappointing. It is hoped that the registration of this drug will take place soon and that it will be available to the Committee advising the National Strategic Plan so that we may have less toxic regimens. The expertise of the Clinicians Society has been offered to the MCC to facilitate expert opinion regarding registration of new drugs The Editor and staff of the Journal would like to wish all our readers the best wishes during the season of goodwill and every good wish for the year 2007 DES MARTIN Editor FROM THE EDITOR

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Editor, Expert opinion, South Africa, MCC, New Drug, Medicines Control Council, Tenofovir, Antiretroviral drug, National Strategic Plan, Peripheral centres, HIV care, Rural Doctors Association, Deputy Minister of Health, HIV medicine, Rural Doctors Association of South Africa, Antiretroviral roll-out.