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The South African government is buying advertising space in major national newspapers in an effort to explain its policy on AIDS.

The ads, appearing in newspapers Friday, quote President Thabo Mbeki as saying areas which are equipped to distribute the anti-retroviral drug nevirapine should go ahead and do so. The drug has proven effective in preventing transmission of HIV from mothers to children.

The advertising campaign follows a clash within the ruling African National Congress, ANC, over distribution of the drug. On Monday, leaders in ANC - controlled Gauteng province announced they would begin distributing nevirapine to pregnant women. Government health officials criticized the decision, saying the local leaders were at odds with the national AIDS policy. The national government says further study on the drug is needed.

South Africa has been widely criticized for refusing to establish a nationwide nevirapine program. The High Court in Pretoria ruled last year that the government must distribute the drug wherever possible, but the ruling in under appeal.

Some information for this report provided by AFP.

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