LUSAKA, Zambia -- The southern African country of Zambia said Monday it hoped to have 12,000 out of an estimated 40,000 HIV-positive children on life-prolonging antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) by the end of the year.

Zambia first began distributing ARVs to children last year, most of whom contracted the disease from their mothers during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.

So far only 7,000 out of the 15,000-20,000 children in need of the drugs are receiving them, Health Minister Brian Chituwo was quoted by Radio Zambia Monday as saying.

"The children were completely not catered for in regard to ARVs but are now receiving the treatment," he said.

An estimated 1.2 million Zambians are living with the deadly HIV virus that causes AIDS, the country's second-biggest killer after malaria.

The Ministry of Health plans to put about 200,000 HIV patients in total on ARVs, but only 120,000 are currently receiving treatment.

Chituwo cited the lack of skilled health workers in rural areas as a key constraint but said the situation was being addressed.

The United States government last month gave Zambia US$160 million in 2008 to fight the virus.