Addis Ababa, May.21(ENA)--The UN Secretary General Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa said the UN would exert to support efforts toward the manufacture of Anti-Retroviral Drugs in Ethiopia.

While conferring with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here on Friday, the Special Envoy, Stephen Lewis also commended the efforts being made to produce the stated drugs locally as part of HIV/AIDS prevention activities launched from national to woreda level.

Lewis said his talks with Meles centered on the efforts being made to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and support AIDS orphans and the international support being extended to the efforts.

Meles told on his part the Special Envoy about the plan to establish a factory that would manufacture the Anti-Retroviral Drugs if the country gets the support from the international community.

He said efforts would also be made to utilize the fund that is spent on workshops, seminars and meetings on HIV/AIDS.

Meles also briefed Lewis the over-all activities being carried out in the area of health in various parts of the country, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his five-day working visit to Ethiopia, Lewis would visit the activities launched toward the prevention of HIV/AIDS in South Ethiopia Peoples State.

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