WHO strategy for treatment
Five to six million people infected with HIV/AIDS in the developing world need access to anti-retroviral drugs, but only about 400 000 receive this life-prolonging treatment.
Anso Thom
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The silent killer
Few white South Africans know their HIV status or are prepared to disclose it. But one woman, who lost her granddaughter and son to AIDS because doctors failed to recognize that both were infected, is speaking out.
SA AIDS deaths set to rise in 5 years
Southern Africa is home to about 30% of people living with HIV or AIDS worldwide, yet this region has less than 2% of the world's population.
ARV plan approved
Government's historic announcement this week that all HIV-positive South Africans needing anti-retrovirals will be treated within the next five years could be the much-needed catalyst to uplift the country's struggling national healthcare system.
Losing our resistance
Antibiotics, once hailed as 'miracle drugs' that would rid the world of life-threatening diseases, are losing their effectiveness leaving us vulnerable to bacteria that is resistant to treatment. Health-e News investigates the situation in South Africa.
Abortion ‘ six years later
Over a quarter of a million women have accessed safe, legal abortions since the implementation of the Termination of Pregnancy Act in South Africa six years ago. But many are still not aware that services are legal or even exist.
Making history in two weeks
The Cabinet statement announcing the go-ahead for an antiretroviral roll-out plan on Friday August 8th came during a fortnight which saw health workers, researchers and activists despair and then rejoice as debate around treatment for HIV/AIDS once again grabbed media headlines.
A not so warm welcome
US President George W Bush received a less than warm welcome from AIDS activists and health experts worldwide when he set foot on South African shores. Amid all the talking and photo opportunities critics questioned when Bush would make the money available he had promised earlier in the year or whether he would try to 'spin' his way out of meeting his commitments.
Mother-to-child HIV transmission programme in trouble
Government's mother to child HIV prevention programme is in danger of turning into a dismal failure in at least six provinces. National staff have failed, repeatedly, to attend crucial meetings. Key provincial posts have been vacant for more than a year and there is a chaotic approach to crucial issues such as infant feeding, HIV testing, drug dosages and the following-up of babies and mothers. This does not bode well for an anti-retroviral treatment programme in the public sector.
Global fund faces bankruptcy
The Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria faces bankruptcy and health activists are blaming the G8 nations. They are accusing US President George Bush of attempting to block bipartisan efforts to increase American contributions to the fund while it has also been revealed that the European Development Fund is sitting on 10 billion unspent euros.
Funding the Fund
Health activists are pulling out all the stops to address the R13-million shortfall faced by the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. By launching the 'Fund the Fund' campaign they are aiming to pressure wealthy nations to contribute urgently needed funds.
Rich countries deplete Africa’s medical recourses
Rich countries have saved billions of dollars by employing doctors from African countries that have in turn lost thousands of physicians new research has shown.