Tenofovir gel hailed
Women leaders in South Africa have hailed the outcome of a microbicide gel study, saying it will help protect women who can'€™t negotiate safe sex with their partners against HIV infection.
Health
Read More » Tenofovir gel hailed
Bolstering the search for HIV vaccine Living with AIDS # 443
Intensifying their search for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection, scientists are planning to run an improved version of the successful Thai HIV vaccine trial in South Africa next year.
The importance of a vaccine for childhood pneumonia
This being National Immunisation Week, we focus on a vaccine for pneumonia, one of the illnesses that target children, and is responsible for the majority of infant morbidity and mortality rates.
Putting a smile on children’€™s faces
Surgeons at Red Cross have given a group of children with facial anomalies a reason to smile.
Moulding men you can count on Living with AIDS # 442
Research shows that men are the main drivers of the HIV epidemic. Men transmit HIV to women, who, in turn, can infect their babies if they fall pregnant. But this can be prevented if men become a part of the woman'€™s pregnancy.
PEPFAR makes u-turn in Uganda
Advocacy organisations in the US and Uganda have welcomed the announcement that the U.S. global AIDS program, PEPFAR, has reversed severe restrictions that capped enrollment of new HIV patients on life saving treatment in Uganda.
Eastern Cape asks for R1.7-bn
The Public Service Accountability Monitor has issued a statement revealing details on the dire state of the Eastern Cape health department's finances. It also called on the department to reveal how the situation will impact on patients.
Need for African govts to increase health spending Living with AIDS # 441
At the recent International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi appealed to donors to desist from cutting aid to support AIDS programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. The irony of his call, however, is that countries in Africa are not increasing their spending on health.
Gauteng citizens urged to vaccinate against H1N1
Gauteng Department of Health and Social development is urging pregnant women, patients with chronic lung and heart diseases, diabetic, school going learners under the age of 20 as well as senior citizens over 65 years to immunize against H1N1 virus by Friday, 31 July 2010.
Save the children
Huge strides could be made towards reducing child deaths in South Africa by following the example of those who fought for the rights of people living with HIV.
Child Gauge unpacks Children’€™s Act impact
The Children'€™s Act which came into force on April 1 places the onus on doctors and other health professionals to seek consent from their young patients for certain medical conditions including HIV testing, surgery and contraception.
Health systems to blame for Charlotte Maxeke baby deaths
A gastro-intestinal infection killed six babies at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in May, according to findings of an investigation launched into the tragedy. The investigation also found that health care staff did all they could to save the babies. Hospital systems, however, were found to be lacking.
HIV funding cutbacks will hamper treatment success
Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has cautioned those attending the International AIDS conference that backtracking on funding for HIV by donors could threaten the treatment success rates. Read his speech here.
Lack of HIV prevention methods a major concern Living with AIDS # 440
The good news from the International AIDS Conference in Vienna that a microbicide gel tested in South Africa for the prevention of HIV infection is an ironically painful reminder that there is an urgent need for effective preventative measures to reduce new HIV infections.
Parents waking up to kids’ mental health
More and more caregivers are consulting psychiatric institutions to have their children'€™s mental health assessed. Psychiatrists have attributed this to caregivers paying more attention to their children'€™s behavioural patterns than before.