NAIROBI: (PlusNews) - Food aid and plastic sheeting are the hallmarks of every disaster, but not always condoms and antiretrovirals, even though humanitarian agencies recognize the link between emergencies and the increased risk of HIV and AIDS.
CAPE TOWN - Diabetes, respiratory diseases, some cancers and cardiovascular disease, the cause of over 50% of the disease burden in the world, can be decreased substantially by focusing on nutrition, encouraging physical activity and curbing smoking, Dr Craig Nossel of Discovery Health told a debate at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa.
CAPE TOWN ' African health and human rights activists have called on leaders attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting on Africa to 'not use the same pie and split it between more people', but to make the pie bigger.
While South Africa's HIV prevalence rate remains stable at 11 percent, there have been significant reductions in HIV among children and young people.
The World Health Organisation has called for governments to require all tobacco packets to have pictures showing the dangers of tobacco use.
Young people are the most vulnerable to HIV infection. Musician, Tender Mavundla, who is due to release her first CD, is trying to warn youth not to do what she once did.
Swazi Member of Parliament and gospel singer, Pastor Timothy Myeni, has blamed the devil for suggesting at an MPs' workshop, that there should be a law making it 'compulsory to test for HIV' and that people testing positive should be 'branded on the buttocks'.
JOHANNESBURG: (IRIN) - Proposals to decriminalize sex work in South Africa have been moved back to the front burner after the newly installed premier of the country's richest province, Gauteng, remarked that the issue should be addressed "objectively and with an open mind". A review of the current legislation is underway.
The sexual dissatisfaction of married men has led to some of them having extra marital affairs. This kind of practice is known to be a major contributor in the rising number of HIV infections.
Research suggests that the practice of people having more than one sexual partner is a major driver in spreading the HIV epidemic. We spoke to one man who is constantly seeking satisfaction from outside his marriage.
Health activists are mobilizing against the appointment of former health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang as mentor and African Union Goodwill Ambassador on maternal, infant and child health.
Introducing himself to the media last week, new Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, acknowledged that public sector health professionals, including doctors, are under-paid.
SÃO TOMÃ: (PlusNews) - Twenty years after the first case of HIV infection was recorded in the archipelago of São Tomé and PrÃncipe, off the coast of Gabon, six people living with HIV/AIDS have decided to take a stand against stigma and discrimination by telling their stories on national television.
GULU: (PlusNews) - On the night of 13 May, in the northern Ugandan district of Gulu, Christine Atuk was woken by piercing screams coming from the neighbouring hut where her daughter was sleeping. "I peeped through the window and saw a huge ball of fire burning her hut," she recalled.
The national health department and the Medicines Control Council (MCC) have failed to respond to a warning from South Africa's top pharmacology academics and experts that the South African market is being flooded with all kinds of quack remedies and dubious 'medicines'.
Be in the know with our free weekly newsletter. We deliver a round-up of our top stories and insightful reads from across the web.