'Unethical' and 'unscientific' are some of the words being used to describe the activities of vitamin businessman Dr Matthias Rath, who claims that his brand of multivitamins can reverse the course of AIDS.
The University of Limpopo's medical faculty, Medunsa campus, this week revealed that it received an application for a clinical study in HIV patients using vitamin seller Dr Matthias Rath's products. But, the chairperson of the unit's research ethics committee, Professor Wim du Plooy, says the trial was not approved.
The Constitutional Court last week upheld the pricing regulations scheme issued in terms of the Medicines Act, but declared the key contested provisions ' those dealing with pharmacists' dispensing fees ' invalid and sent it back to the Pricing Committee to be redrafted. Read an abbreviated version of the judgement here.
The health minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, denied in Parliament that she ever said that traditional medicines, nutrition and vitamins should be offered as an alternative to antiretrovirals. Health-e, spoke to the health department's Director-General Thami Mseleku, and asked him what point the Minister seeks to make when she talks about AIDS treatment.
The unchallenged actions of Dr Matthias Rath and his foundation, are undermining government's policy to provide comprehensive treatment for HIV and AIDS and endangers people's lives. These concerns are in a letter written to the Western Cape's Health MEC Pierre Uys and signed by 199 health professionals. Spokesperson for the group, Dr Andrew Boulle, spoke to Health-e.
Read the letter 199 health professionals signed and sent to Western Cape Health minister Pierre Uys, demanding an end to the actions of Matthias Rath and his foundation, which they said are endangering people's lives.
In her recently-published book, 'Khabzela: The Life and Times of a South African', first-time author Liz McGregor asks the most pertinent question: Why did Fana Khaba, the popular deceased DJ on Gauteng-based youth station, YFM, die?
Top government health officials seem poised to let the Dr Rath Health Foundation off the hook for conducting illegal clinical trials on people with HIV in Khayelitsha.
Government's lack of leadership in the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its mixed messages about antiretroviral drugs has created fertile ground for those against medication to misinform people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa. We report on another treatment programme taking advantage of the situation.
Dr Matthias Rath's unshakeable belief that nutrition alone as well as
micro-nutrients can save the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS has endeared him to some. Yet, it has also made him the pet hate of many. We assess Dr Rath's crusade of feeding copious amounts of multi-vitamins to this country's HIV-infected citizens.
Two HIV-positive women in Khayelitsha died within weeks of being convinced to discard their medication in favour of vitamins touted as a cure by the Dr Rath Health Foundation, while others say they were told to strip to their underwear, photographed and had blood taken without giving consent.
Children tend to do better on antiretroviral treatment than adults, but many treatment sites are nervous to treat them.
A new school of thought in gender and AIDS education is emerging. It reckons that women should not be seen simply as passive victims in the transmission of HIV.
Like many young South Africans his future was confined by financial constraints. But even so, after matriculating, young Raphakisa Botha could have chosen a number of other paths but instead he became a gender activist.
Only 5% of babies born to HIV positive mothers at a small, dedicated hospital get the virus.
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.