Health e News

Optimal time for initiation of ART

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been shown to be effective in slowing down the progression of AIDS and in reducing HIV-related illnesses and death.

Festive HIV testing launch

There was a festive atmosphere at Edendale Hospital on Friday as hundreds of people attended the launch of the province’€™s HIV counselling and testing (HCT) campaign, headed by Premier Zweli Mkhize.

HCT campaign launched Living with AIDS # 429

The much-awaited HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT)) campaign was launched last Sunday. At the launch, President Jacob Zuma, warned the hundreds of people who had braved the cold to listen to him speak that the outcome of an HIV test is a personal matter and that they can keep it a secret.

Reaching young people through soccer

A group of girls recently gathered in Cape Town to share their love for football, but the true goal of their meeting was to discuss an epidemic which has ravaged their communities.

Researchers warn against use of DDT

South Africa should start looking for alternative solutions to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes, a study has found. Using DDT to curb the spread of malaria has been proven by researchers to pose a huge risk to human beings with those consuming chicken, fish and vegetables produced in DDT-sprayed areas at risk of developing illnesses such as cancer.

MSF calls on global fund to stand firm

Médecins Sans Frontières has expressed concern over calls to place limits on how much funding will be available for future rounds of proposals and/or to postpone the next request for proposals for Round 10. In a letter send to board delegations this week MSF calls on them to reject these calls.

Rift Valley Fever – first human death in Western Cape

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed today that a 49-year old male from the Karoo has been the first human to die from Rift Valley Fever in the Western Cape. He died in Oudtshoorn Hospital. The NICD is still investigating the patient’€™s source of exposure. It is unsure in which manner he contracted the disease. There have been confirmed cases of Rift Valley Fever in animals in the Oudtshoorn area.

Annie Lennox explains her ‘HIV Positive’ t-shirt

A lot of heads were turned last night when Annie Lennox showed up on ‘€œIdol Gives Back ‘€ wearing a t-shirt with the words ‘€œHIV POSITIVE’€ emblazoned on the front (she also wore the shirt to events last year, including the 2009 Edinburgh Festival of Politics and the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert in New York last October). The good news is she herself is not HIV positive, but simply showing solidarity with the millions of people who are.

TAC comments on health budget speech

On 13 April 2010 Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi delivered his budget speech in Parliament. He reiterated the efforts that the Department of Health is undertaking to improve health outcomes and meet the targets of the HIV/AIDS & STIs National Strategic Plan (2007-2011) in line with carrying out its 10 point plan to transform the health sector. He also committed South Africa to purchasing the lowest-price antiretroviral (ARV) medicines. This is a challenge to local companies to price their ARVs more competitively.

ACS calls for help in Cancer fight

We need your help in the fight against cancer! Please call on your government to support a United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Non-Communicable Diseases.

Eastern Cape health conference – have your say

There has been a lot of talk about health system reform, including the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. But the voices of ordinary people who use the government clinics and hospitals every day are missing. The Black Sash, University of Cape Town Health Economics Unit and Health-e are hosting the first provincial health conference in Port Elizabeth to make sure the voices of communities are heard.

Major testing drive kicks off

The country’€™s top political leadership will lead the nation in an historic massive HIV testing drive this morning (Sunday, 25 April).

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