Today the hope for those who are infected by HIV/AIDS lies with drug treatment. But the cost for a month's supply of Combivir, Viramune, Stocrin and Videx, is N$2,200.00. The question is can everybody afford these drugs? Can the poor afford this?

Government employees such as teachers and road workers have their drugs paid for by their employer. But other people -especially those without health insurance -must pay for themselves.

Many people out there are calling out for the government to provide free drugs to those who can not afford them.

I talked to the two sister I meet on the street they said,"that they are poor and they are forced to have sex for money, but that their customers won't wear condoms. The men gave them two options to choose between, having safe sex, or bread for the children.

The High Cost Of AIDS drugs:

It isn't just price. Common side effects include:

• nausea, headache, fever, chills
• pain, nerve damage, liver damage, jaundice
• constipation, herpes, shortness of breath, weakness in the arms and legs.

In other countries, such as Brazil, generic drugs make prescriptions cheaper. (see sidebar). An Indian company makes a generic that costs just a few hundred dollars a month, but law forbids it from coming to market in Namibia.

Even though most people say the drugs should be free, most have no idea what they cost or even what drugs are necessary. A student at Unam guessed that the cost of the drugs goes around N$3000 per month for a cycle of drugs. He said, "It will always be for the rich. At least in most African countries."

Are there any other options?

Some people are using herbs called kakata it looks like a flower and they believe, that it can heal them and also endombo. Some pray believing that God can heal them from AIDS.