The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria allocation for South Africa will be received by April the Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang announced recently. Africa will receive 60 percent of the funding and South Africa fell within this ambit. The minister also explained the process of applying for funds. Thandeka Teyise compiled this report. This audio is in isiXhosa and English.
Read More »South Africa to receive Global Fund allocation by AprilHealth Minister, Dr Manto Tshabalala Msimang said the money from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria would be distributed by April in South Africa. Sixty percent of the overall amount globally will go to Africa and while she did not disclose the total of the grant, the minister gave a breakdown of how it will be distributed in this country. She said the loveLife prevention campaign will receive about R32 million and that government's HIV/AIDS and TB programme as well as the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative would both receive about R54.4 million each. Futher funds would be distributed to the Soul City education programme that will receive about R19 million and R91 million would go to KwaZulu-Natal.
Read More »Who gets what from the Global FundThe World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 80 percent of the world's population uses traditional or herbal medicines and South Africa is amongst these countries. It has taken over six years for the government and traditional healers to come up with a mutually agreeable plan to formally recognise traditional healers. Thandeka Teyise, of Health-E News Service, spoke to Phillip Khubukeli, a traditional healer who has been part of the process. She asked how close the parties were in terms of reaching an agreement and when the final draft of the Traditional Healers Bill could be expected.
Read More »Recognition and registration of traditional healersDepartment of Health's Director General, Dr Ayanda Ntsabula, has said that while governemnt has not signed any agreement on an AIDS treatment plan, negotiations with all parties concerned would continue. In the meantime Pan Africanist Congress Member of Parliament Patricia De Lille said thousands of people were dying while government stalled. By Thandeka Teyise of Health-e News.
Read More »Patricia de Lille calls on government to move on ARV treatment planAbout 10 000 people from across the country participated in the Treatment Action Campaign's 'Treat the People March' that took place in Cape Town on Friday, February 14. TAC activists, religious leaders and non-governmental organisations called on government to implement a national ARV treatment plan before the end of the month. Morne Visser, a South African actor and HIV activist, is one of many who are growing despondent with the government's slow response to the epidemic that is killing thousands. Tandeka Teyise of Health-e News spoke to him.
Read More »Actors join call for speedy delivery for treatment of HIV/AIDSLate last year two day hospitals in the township of Guguletu in Cape Town were forced to close because on-duty doctors and nursing personnel repeatedly fell prey to brazen criminals who robbed them of cell phones, money, jewellery and other valuables. The criminals, who seem to have gained easy access to premises, also targeted regular patients. Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Leonard Ramatlakane has now called on the beleaguered communities of Guguletu and Khayelitsha to work with the police to make these areas safer. He said security at the day hospitals need to be stepped up and that security personnel, who are employed by the Provincial Department of Health, needed to be more vigilant as police can only act if they are called out.
Read More »Crime mars health deliveryMillions of mothers across the globe at one stage or another are faced with their babies' uncontrollable crying. This leads to many sleepless nights for both mother and child.The causes for such uncontrollable crying are many, but according to Professor John Ireland a specialist on children illnesses at the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, up to 30 percent of infants suffer a bout of "colic". Thandeka Teyise reports.
Read More »Why some babies cryThousands of music lovers gathered at the Staying Alive Concert at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town to show support to the people living with HIV/AIDS . Alicia Keys Grammy Award winner, Usher, P. Diddy, Zola and Mandoza shared the stage and the message was one to stay safe and condomise. Thandeka Teyise asked Alicia her understanding of the pandemic in Africa and in South Africa in particular.
Read More »Local and international musicians team up to combat HIV/ AIDSA group of Guguletu youth some victims of domestic violence and some affected by it say the government should put harsher punishment to perpetrators of rape, women and children abuse. National Adolescent Friendly Clinic Intiative 's Sbongile Pilane and his peers all adolescent are trying to make change to thousands of other youth in their township educating them about their sexual rights and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Thandeka Teyise spoke to the youth asking them their views on domestic violence.
Read More »Youth sick and tired of domestic violenceZola also known as Papa Action of Yizo Yizo fame says South African musicians have taken HIV/AIDS seriously and almost every day they convey a loud and clear message about the pandemic through musical performances and shows. He says the coming of Alicia Keys, Usher and P.Diddy to perform at the Staying alive Concert will boost the morale of musicians and will add more emphasis on the message local musicians are trying to put across.
Read More »AIDS is everybody’s business says Papa ActionNon-governmental organisations are providing sterling service when it comes to the provision of Home-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS says Dr Fareed Abdullah of the Western Cape Department of Health. In this report we talk to patients who benefit from the Red Cross Society's Home-based Care Project in Khayelitsha.
Read More »Home Based Care is here to stayAlthough October was Mental Health Awareness month in South Africa, Professor Margaret Nair of the Psychiatric Department at Nelson Mandela School of Medicine says mental health is still stigmatised by government, communities, medical aids and media who often resort to sensational headlines. Professor Nair stresses that disorders like depression, anxiety, dementia, schizophrenia, substance abuse and eating disorders can affect anyone and need to be understood by society at large. Thandeka Teyise compiled this report.
Read More »Stigma is the main stumbling block to success of mental health treatmentNational Union of Mineworkers president, Mthuthuzeli Tom says efforts by motor industries to combat HIV/AIDS, are welcomed by his organization but added that a lot still needed to be done to curtail the spread of HIV in the work place.
Read More »NUMSA welcomes auto industry’s effort to fight HIVThe time has come for men to become actively involved in combating violence against women says Bob R F Phato who presented a Men's Forum petition Deputy President Jacob Zuma recently. Phato said the unacceptably high level of HIV infection was also a men's issue and that men should begin to assume greater responsibility for health.
Read More »Men in partnership against HIV/AIDS take a standMen Care Enough to Act was the theme of the Men's Imbizo held in Parow and Langa near Cape Town recently. Men in Partnership against HIV/AIDS also gathered in Cape Town to voice their frustration and disappointment at those men who continue to abuse women and children. The main focus of the event was the role men can play in addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic and sexual and domestic violence in South Africa. Well-known South Africans such as Steve Khompela, Caesar Molebatse, Dumile Mateza, Blondie Makhene as well as hundreds of men from the nine South African Provinces attended the forum to show their support.
Read More »Men Care Enough To Act
