Rape victims are to be provided with anti-Aids drugs at public health institutions as soon as possible, the government announced on Wednesday.
"Government will endeavour to provide a comprehensive package of care for victims (of sexual assault), including counselling, testing for HIV, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections," said Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang in Pretoria.
Cabinet agreed to the new approach at its fortnightly meeting. Counselling would include pointing out the risks of using anti-retrovirals.
Tshabalala-Msimang said a national protocol on the treatment of victims of sexual assault would first have to be developed.
"I can't see this being finalised in less than six months," said Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Minister Ben Ngubane.
Ngubane, Tshabalala-Msimang, and Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad form part of a new presidential task team on HIV and Aids.
Tshabalala-Msimang said plans were on track for a universal roll-out of nevirapine to HIV-positive mothers, hopefully from next year.
General distribution depended on the outcome of current research on the use of the drug to curtail mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Meanwhile, the government will continue to comply with a Constitutional Court ruling that nevirapine be provisionally provided to pregnant HIV-positive women at public health facilities which are able to do so.
Alongside poverty alleviation, the government will encourage research into alternative treatments, particularly on supplements and medication boosting the immune system.
Political parties greeted the cabinet's decision to provide anti-retroviral drugs to sexual assault victims with mixed feelings on Wednesday.
"I cannot help but be a bit sceptical about the announcement," said Pan Africanist Congress MP Patricia de Lille. "They have not announced any time frames."
De Lille welcomed the fact that the government "finally accepted the conventional view" that anti-retrovirals could be used to save lives.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said the announcement was long overdue. "It looks like the court decision was a wake-up call to them," he said.
Democratic Alliance health spokesperson Sandy Kalyan said the government missed a valuable opportunity to announce it would drop its Constitutional Court action.
A New National Party spokesperson welcomed the government's decision.
The Treatment Action Campaign said it was clear that some reason was beginning to prevail within the government about Aids. - Sapa