healthe

Health

Finally, a World AIDS Day to remember

President Jacob Zuma has announced the most significant government-led interventions to stem the AIDS epidemic since its emergence more than 20 years ago, stating that extraordinary measures are needed.

healthe
December 1, 2009

Health, Health Systems

Steady growth in chronic diseases

Although South Africa is overwhelmed by infectious diseases, there has also been a steady increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), often as a result of changing lifestyles.

healthe
August 25, 2009

Health

Matthias Rath: The human cost

Guardianfilms has produced a documentary on how vitamin entrepreneur Matthias Rath persuaded South African Aids patients to stop taking their prescribed drugs - and use his vitamins - with terrible consequences.

healthe
October 29, 2008

Health

Fact Sheet HPTN 035 at a Glance

Study Overview •HPTN 035 was a Phase II/IIb trial that evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the vaginal microbicides PRO 2000 (0.5 percent dose) and BufferGel for preventing male-to-female sexual transmission of HIV. • The study was not designed to…

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May 25, 2008

Health

HIV & AIDS – The Facts

What is HIV? • HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. • It is classed as a retrovirus. This means that the virus uses the body’s own cells to reproduce itself.| • While several theories exist, the origin of this virus…

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May 25, 2008

Health

The plight of AIDS orphans

The government's policy of not awarding foster care grants to undocumented orphans has come under the spotlight as the number of AIDS orphans continues to increase.

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August 21, 2007

Health, Health Systems

Shared breastfeeding contributes to HIV transmission

Breastfeeding of babies by a non-biological caregiver with HIV is one of the most important factors associated with HIV infection in children. A study released in Cape Town this week also found that there is a potential for health-care acquired transmission of HIV in the maternity, paediatric and dental facilities in the Free State health institutions.

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April 5, 2005

Health

Little old man Elvis Living with AIDS

In this feature we journey to the village of Maupye in Limpopo to meet a young boy we first met three years ago when exploring the reality of children orphaned as a result of AIDS.

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April 8, 2004

News

Called to care. Living with AIDS

In the absence of easily available and affordable access to AIDS treatment, the burden of care for those who are sick falls on individual households, NGOs and faith-based organisations who respond to the needs they see around them. Health-e News meets care-giver, Caiphas Mohale of Bolobedu, in Tzaneen, Limpopo province.

healthe
March 17, 2004

News

It’s something from God Living with AIDS

Natalia Baloyi has a lot to smile about these days. Hers is a tale of what hope and determination can help one achieve in times of trouble. Almost three years ago, as a 22 year-old Natalia was unemployed and head of a household with three siblings and a son of her own following the death of her parents from a suspected AIDS-related disease. Health-e goes back to the young women we first met in 2001 at her home in Marironi village outside Tzaneen in Limpopo province.

healthe
March 11, 2004

News

Hazards of interrupted ARV supply Living with AIDS

Three young South African AIDS patients recently missed essential doses of their antiretroviral drugs after the supplier, Merck Sharp & Dohme ran out of stocks. The pharmaceutical giant ran out of its 50 mg tablet of Efavirenz, or Stocrin, one of the principle AIDS medicines for children aged three and older. A serious consequence of such shortages is that resistance to the particular drug can develop if patients interrupt their treatment. Furthermore, irregular drug supplies could jeopardise the government's imminent roll-out of an HIV and AIDS treatment plan.

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January 29, 2004

Health

Accent on the positive

Today is World AIDS day. A key figure leading the government's programme to combat the disease is the Chief Director of the national HIV/AIDS Directorate, Dr Nono Simelela. In an exclusive interview with Health-e News Service she looked back at what has and hasn't been accomplished and what areas government is prioritising for the future.

healthe
November 30, 2000

Health

Microsoft boss Bill Gates prioritises healthcare over laptops

The Gates Foundation will now devote at least two-thirds of its $21 billion charity fund to third world healthcare. "The worlds poorest two billion people desperately need healthcare, not laptops," he reportedly said to the dismay of America's business community. Jo Stein reports.

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November 10, 2000

Determinants Of Health

An epidemic of trauma requires prevention rather than cure.

An epidemic of trauma is killing South Africans and draining public health resources at a rate second only to AIDS. But trauma is yet to become a priority public health issue within the Department of Health. Violence and alcohol are the main culprits causing trauma in our country. Jo Stein reports

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November 8, 2000

Health

Why wait? HIV tests now give immediate results

Hands showing lab workers testing for HIV

Rapid HIV tests, which allow you to get your HIV test result within a few minutes, should be in use country-wide within the course of next year. But only those rapid tests used in government health facilities have been properly evaluated for reliability. Quality control of the other brands on the market is not yet assured. Jo Stein reports

healthe
November 7, 2000

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