
Early care crucial for babies
Across the human lifespan, we are most vulnerable to death during birth and in the first 28 days of life. This is even more so for children born in developing nations including South Africa.

Across the human lifespan, we are most vulnerable to death during birth and in the first 28 days of life. This is even more so for children born in developing nations including South Africa.

A malaria vaccine candidate is proving to provide both infants and young children with significant protection against one of Africa'€™s biggest killers, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed.

This article busts the myth that young girls are falling pregnant to access social grants.
By Marlise Richter

Many South Africans are physically inactive, consume poor and unhealthy diets and are overweight and obese '€“ leading to all kinds of preventable conditions that kill them prematurely.

The global burden of cancer has more than doubled during the past 30 years and it is estimated that in 2008 there were over 12 million new cases of cancer diagnosed, 7 million deaths from cancer and 25 million persons alive with cancer.

The primary health care system is failing South African communities in desperate need of mental health services for common conditions such as anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress and school-related problems.

If you hear the term '€œPerson Living with HIV'€œ -- do you call to mind images of someone who is sick, depressed and anxious? Well, then you will be delighted to meet Pholokgolo Ramothwala. Health-e will follow Pholo's story.

Outgoing UNAIDS director Dr Peter Piot praises new spirit of unity in South Africa's AIDS response, as health minister says ARV waiting lists must be shortened.

Welcome to CAPETOWN '€“ the seat of a government that for many years confused it'€™s people about the best ways for treating HIV. Vitamins, olive oil, lemon and beetroot, and a number of traditional therapies were promoted over scientifically proven life-prolonging anti-retroviral treatment.

There is still no known cure for AIDS. Antiretroviral medication remains the only way to treat and manage the condition if one'€™s CD 4 cell count, which measures how strong a person'€™s immune system is, drops to below 200. But many continue to deceive those living with HIV, claiming that they can cure them of AIDS. In South Africa, some traditional healers claim that they can cure AIDS. But is there any substance in these claims?

The KwaZulu-Natal health department has ordered the withdrawal of two Nestle formula feed products following concerns over melamine contamination. However, Nestle has said their products are absolutely safe for consumption.

NIGERIA -(PlusNews) - Getting married in Nigeria often requires more than just the bride and groom turning up at the altar, and having witnesses and wedding rings present: many Christian churches also require an HIV test certificate.

HIV could theoretically be eliminated if all people were tested each year and given antiretrovirals straight away if they tested positive, regardless of whether they were sick, World Health Organisation researchers have proposed.

A condom shortage and a province running out of money for health services are two of challenges the new Health Minister has been dealing with lately to avoid a huge embarrassment before World AIDS Day on Monday.
KENYA - (PlusNews) - HIV-positive prisoners in Kenya not only suffer isolation from friends and family, but also within the prison walls.