The government cannot import cheaper Aids drugs despite the enactment of the Industrial Property Bill in June.

The National Aids Control Council deputy director, Dr Patrick Oregi, yesterday said some World Trade Organisation clauses are hindering the importation of the anti-retroviral drugs.

"At the moment, the drugs can only be shipped from countries such as India and Brazil as donations." Last week, the Director of Medical Services, Dr Richard Muga, announced that the cost of a day's supply of anti-retroviral drugs had fallen to Sh78.

Dr Oregi welcomed the move and urged pharmaceutical companies to lower prices further in order to extend the lives of those infected with HIV.

He said this when he opened the Association of Kenya Insurers seminar in Nairobi.

The one-day workshop was attended by 40 chief executive officers in the industry.

The insurance industry was challenged to consider providing medical cover to people with Aids.

"It amounts to discrimination, stigmatisation and violation of human rights and dignity to deny people infected HIV medical cover due to their status.

"Yet they can work for 15 years without succumbing to the killer disease," said a delegate.

A NACC official, Mr Meshack Ndolo said the country should formulate mechanisms to provide care and support to the I million orphans and 250,000 children who drop out of school after completing Standard eight.