South Africa's Aids epidemic, one of the largest in the world, shows no sign of relenting, while infection levels continue to drop in Uganda and now also in parts of Kenya and Zimbabwe, according the UNAIDS Aids Epidemic Update.
The Treatment Action Campaign this week released a statement and fact sheet in which it explains why it holds Matthias Rath responsible for several deaths of HIV infected individuals.
The medical needs of children living with HIV and AIDS often go neglected. Tapologo, a Catholic initiative working in the rural and informal settlements on the outskirts of Rustenburg, strives to strike a balance between caring for adults and children.
Ombudsman finds grounds that Rath Foundation spokesperson Anthony Brink intimidated Health-e. Read his ruling below, on Brink's complaint about an article published in the Mail & Guardian about his criticism of female HIV/AIDS reporters
The ANC needs to provide leadership on the Rath Foundation, which is undermining government's AIDS treatment plan.
The Medicines Control Council says that it is finalising its investigation into the activities of multivitamin businessman Dr Matthias Rath and his foundation, which include an unapproved clinical trial on HIV positive people in the township of Khayelitsha, in Cape Town. But, the actual investigation is being carried out by officials within the Department of Health.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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