Drug resistant TB poses greatest risk to healthcare workers
Until recently, Mandla* was a nurse at a Durban hospital. But for the past few months, he has been a patient trying to shake off multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB.
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Read More » Drug resistant TB poses greatest risk to healthcare workers
Drug-resistant TB calls for new techniques
The emergence of Extremely Drug Resistant Tuberculosis is an indication that national TB control programmes fall short from being effective. As part of improving these and preventing a massive spread of the deadly strain of TB, improved methods of diagnosing the disease are needed.
Off the map Living with AIDS # 297
A new publication, 'Off the Map', shows how the exclusion of sexual minorities in national HIV/AIDS programmes in Africa could jeopardise the continent's efforts to rid itself of the epidemic.
Traditional beer & oesophageal cancer
A researcher at the Witwatersrand University's Analytical Pathology Department, Dr Zodwa Dlamini, says home-made African traditional beer may not be as toxic as it's recently been reported to be.
A dialogue to save lives Living with AIDS # 296
In what is termed a 'historic' meeting, government, civil society and business leaders are today coming together for the last of a two-day summit in Johannesburg to finalise the country's AIDS plan for the next five years.
Draft AIDS plan hailed as far-sighted
Legalising commercial sex work, programmes against alcohol and drug abuse, subsidies for people who adopt orphans and food support for HIV positive moms who breastfeed exclusively are some of the innovative new interventions contained in government's draft plan to fight HIV/AIDS.
HIV babies may grow up unaware of their infection
Far more African babies infected with HIV by their mothers may survive to puberty than previously thought ' but the health services are ill-equipped to deal with HIV positive teens who need special care.
Search for vaccine continues Living with AIDS # 295
As the cure for HIV and AIDS remains elusive, scientists are pinning their hopes on preventative measures, including a protective vaccine. Wits University's Soweto-based Perinatal HIV Research Unit has just started work on the largest vaccine study ever undertaken in the country.
Holford criticised by AIDS experts
British celebrity nutritionist Patrick Holford has been asked to stop making claims that 'have the potential to cause people with life-threatening illnesses to make medically unsound decisions'.
Westville court case may be averted Living with AIDS # 294
The Departments of Correctional Services and Health as well as AIDS advocacy groups have begun urgent talks that could see the parties reaching an out-of-court settlement on the provision of anti-retrovirals to prisoners at Westville Prison in Durban.
Major HIV vaccine trial underway
A major HIV vaccine trial is underway in five sites across South Africa. As the country and medical research community alike are coming to terms with the abrupt end of a microbicide candidate vaccine trial, Dr Busi Nkala, Director of the vaccine study at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit in Soweto, says the safety of patients is a key priority throughout the trial.
IAVI chief denies media reports on AIDS vaccines
Senior Vice-President of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Dr Wayne Koff, has denied media reports that his organization is using citizens of developing countries as 'guinea pigs' to test ineffective vaccines that have failed elsewhere.
All in one vaccine launched
The Belgian-based pharmaceutical company, Glaxo-Smith-Kline, has introduced a new vaccine to prevent six child-hood diseases. The vaccine 'the first of its kind in South Africa - is aimed at protecting children against whoopping cough, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenza type B.
Free State targets primary health care
The Free State has more than doubled its expenditure on Primary Health Care (PHC) from R91 per patient in 2001 to R221.
Northern Cape battles to control TB
With a surface area covering one third of South Africa and yet only one million residents (2% of the country's population), the Northern Cape should rank high in the healthcare stakes considering the small number of inhabitants it serves.