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Gates urges AIDS victims in Botswana to take advantage of free drugs

By SELLO MOTSETA

Associated Press Writer

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) _ Bill Gates, whose foundation has given $50 million to combat AIDS in Botswana, said he was baffled that more people were not taking HIV tests even though free AIDS drugs were available.

The stigma of AIDS runs deep against those with the disease in this southern African country where more than 38 percent of adults are infected with HIV _ the highest rate in the world.

The government, buoyed by financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the New Jersey-based drug giant Merck & Co. adopted one of the most aggressive efforts in Africa to battle the disease, including a promise to bring AIDS medicine to everyone who needs it.

``I am surprised that people are reluctant to know their status even when programs are available,’’ Gates said Wednesday at a press conference with President Festus Mogae. ``The message about the importance of testing cannot be said often enough or strongly enough.’’

The Microsoft tycoon who is traveling with his wife, Melinda, visited an AIDS clinic in Gaborone where some 5,000 people are being treated with AIDS drugs.

He met with 28-year-old Ingrid Kealotswe who a year ago could barely leave her bed. Today, she is one of about 10,000 people in her country who are receiving free AIDS drugs.

``They are giving us a second chance at life,’’ she said of the money the foundation has donated

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