Mrs Tshabalala-Msimang and the president, Thabo Mbeki, have previously sounded sceptical about the merits of antiretroviral drugs.

ECONOMIST: South Africa and AIDS: A war still to be won | The

On January 31st, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the health minister, summoned health officials from nine provinces to review nevirapine's use.

ECONOMIST: South Africa and AIDS

Mrs Tshabalala-Msimang may allow more pilot schemes, as a way of distributing more drugs without openly defying her boss.

ECONOMIST: South Africa and AIDS

Mr Mbeki stayed away from the Durban meeting, and Mrs Tshabalala-Msimang flew in only for the opening and closing ceremonies.

ECONOMIST: A health tragedy compounded by government farce

Mrs Tshabalala-Msimang was widely jeered in Durban.

ECONOMIST: A health tragedy compounded by government farce

Since South Africa has the world's largest number of AIDS cases, and one of its highest infection rates, this was bad news, as was Mr Mbeki's health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang , who was appointed mainly because she agreed with him, and recommended beetroot and garlic as treatment for the disease.

ECONOMIST: The history of AIDS