Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 05/2015

The Cost and Cost-Effectiveness of Alternative Strategies to Expand Treatment to HIV-Positive South Africans: Scale Economies and Outreach Costs

Gesine Meyer-Rath, Mead Over, Daniel J. Klein, Anna Bershteyn

April 2015

Center for Global Development

Abstract

The South African government is currently discussing various alternative approaches to the further expansion of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in public-sector facilities. Alternatives under consideration include the criteria under which a patient would be eligible for free care, the level of coverage with testing and care, how much of the care will be delivered in small facilities located closer to the patients, and how to assure linkage to care and subsequent adherence by ART patients.