Only 850 000 South Africans have actually been tested for HIV in the past four years, while 1.2 million people have had pre-test counselling. The low rate of testing is a common problem worldwide, which has led to countries such as Botswana and the US making the HIV test a routine service available at primary health facilities. Does South Africa plan to change its approach to Voluntary Counselling and HIV testing? Health-e finds out.

A priority over the decade ahead will be to ensure that a caring and competently managed health service is available in every community, Finance minister Trevor Manuel told Parliament during his presentation of the 2005 budget. A huge chunk of the Budget was allocated to welfare spending. Health-e captures the health-related highlights in the new Budget.

Central to the many efforts to address poverty is the safety net provide by state grants. However, fraud and corruption amounting to R1-5-billion is taking place every year, especially in the area of disability grants.

Health minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has acknowledged that the battle against TB is far from won, at the same time expressing frustration in trying to provide ARVs without a proper surveillance system to monitor numbers. '€œWe are working in the dark and you just give the medicine and hope God will be on your side,'€ she told journalists in Cape Town.

We often assume that obesity is only a problem in the US. But South Africans have been growing steadily larger over the last decade.

Four brief case studies illustrating the human rights principles underpinning HIV/AIDS issues in South African law.

HIV/AIDS budgets for national and provincial government at a glance.