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.
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.
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.
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.
DAR ES SALAAM: (PlusNews) - Bars and nightclubs in several Tanzanian cities will soon have condom vending machines in the bathrooms as part of national efforts to combat HIV.
MAGAGADE: (PlusNews) - Not much information about HIV and AIDS has reached people in the remote village of Magagade, in the Caia district of central Mozambique's Sofala Province. There is no electricity or piped water and the roads are so bad that Manuel Colaço, 22, had to travel there by bicycle to teach residents about how the disease is transmitted and treated.
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'.
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.
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.
Outlining his departmental plans at a media briefing in Pretoria, new Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, said he has been 'ordered to hit the ground running'. He announced five key priorities, one of which is to strengthen the quality of care in the health service.
When HIV enters the body, it predisposes the person to several mental illnesses, one of which is Depression. This report explores the link between HIV and depression.
Acyclovir, medication used to treat herpes, has no effect on preventing HIV transmission, according to a new study.
Government has revealed the 'National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan' in the event of an outbreak of Swine Flu in the country.
The South African government has re-assured the nation of its ability to contain any Swine Flu outbreak. The flu first broke out in Mexico about two weeks ago.
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