Health

Growing call for tax-free mosquito nets

Health

A global initiative, formed to mobilise society in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, has launched a campaign to force countries to drop import taxes on treated mosquito nets in an attempt to control the malaria epidemic. The initiative aims to hold governments accountable to commitments made in the Abuja Declaration signed two years ago, in which African states promised to reduce the costs of mosquito nets and insecticides. South Africa is one of several countries which has yet to make good on its promises. Anso Thom reports.

Health-e News
April 24, 2002

ARVs for healthworkers, despite ANC position

Health

Health workers will continue to get anti-retroviral drugs for needlestick injuries, despite a decision by the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) that this practice should stop. Kerry Cullinan reports.

Kerry Cullinan
April 19, 2002

Cabinet backs health officials, not ANC NEC

Health

What made Cabinet change its mind on HIV/AIDS and offer hope to the nation? Kerry Cullinan reports.

Kerry Cullinan
April 19, 2002

Nevirapine and drugs for rape survivors all part of a comprehensive healthcare package, says health minister

Health

Providing nevirapine to pregnant women was inevitable and would probably have been rolled out at the end of the year had a Constitutional Court ruling not forced her to announce it sooner, said Health minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. In an exclusive interview, she talks about the surprise decision to provide anti-Aids drugs to rape survivors and calls on South Africans to tackle the epidemic as partners, not enemies.

Anso Thom
April 19, 2002

SA HIV vaccine trials waiting for green light

Health

The South African trial of an HIV vaccine is in a state of animated suspension. The clinical sites of Baragwanath Hospital and the Durban Medical Research Council (MRC) have been chosen and approval has been received from the Wits University ethics committee. All that the National Institute for Virology, which is co-ordinating the process, is waiting for now is the go-ahead from the Medicines Control Council, and it is hoped that the trials can begin towards the middle of the year.

Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla
April 18, 2002

Malaria vaccine will take a decade

Health

It will take a decade before a vaccine against malaria, described as one of the greatest causes of misery in endemic countries, is developed, according to Dr Regina Rabinovich, director of the Malaria Vaccine Initiative. With between three and five million cases per year and three deaths every minute (mostly children), the need for a malaria vaccine is as urgent as one to prevent HIV infection. ANSO THOM reports.

Health-e News
April 17, 2002

Supplier cutbacks threaten immunisation programmes

Health

Ten out of 14 vaccine manufacturers have partially or totally stopped production of traditional childhood vaccines, creating shortages serious enough to jeopardise immunisation programmes in both developing and industrialised countries. ANSO THOM reports.

Anso Thom
April 12, 2002

Volunteers help HIV patients in rural E Cape

Health

In many communities around the country, it is volunteers who are the backbone in helping care for those who are sick with AIDS-related illnesses. Bambisanani is one such non-governmental organisation based in the Eastern Cape. Through the efforts of its volunteer caregivers in Umzimkhulu, Lusikisiki and Bizana, it offers free HIV counseling and helps care for those who are sick at home. The project was formed in 1999 in conjuction with the private sector and the Eastern Cape Department of Health. This audio report is in isiXhosa.

Thandeka Teyise
April 12, 2002

Sacrificial goat integral to vaccine trials

Health

When the Baragwanath Perinatal HIV Research Unit submitted its list of items that needed to be financed as part of the forthcoming HIV vaccine trials, it made for interesting reading: included on the list is R600 for a sacrificial goat.

Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla
April 12, 2002

Granny bears brunt of stigma
Living with AIDS programme 74

Health

Fear and stigma continue to undermine efforts to address openly the impact of HIV/AIDS on our society. A short drive from Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal, Mrs Mtimkulu, a grandmother, is single-handedly raising her grand-daughter Siyanda following the death of Siyanda's mother from an AIDS-related disease. In this audio report, Mrs Mtimkulu and Penny Gwacela, a home-based workers with the South Coast Hospice, explain the additional problem of stigma that the family face.

Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla
April 11, 2002

Medical test takes to the skies

Health

This week the largest ever international medical research project into the link between the formation of deep vein thrombosis and flying will be launched by Wits University and the National Health Laboratory Service. A thousand passengers flying between London and Johannesburg will take part in the study.

Health-e News
April 8, 2002

US health secretary in SA

Health

South Africa and the US were working together to strengthen their efforts in the fight against HIV/Aids, US Health Secretary Tommy Thompson said yesterday (Thursday) on his first official visit to Africa.

Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla
April 5, 2002

Parents urged – protect children

Health

The South African National Council for Child Welfare has urged parents and communities to take full responsibility for their children's safety and to prevent crimes of abuse against their children. In this audio report, the national director of the Council Andre Kalis says children have the right to be cared for, well looked after and protected from injury and harm.

Thandeka Teyise
April 5, 2002

New homes offer hope for HIV+ mothers

Health

About 200 destitute HIV positive mothers and 383 children in Gauteng will soon have a place to stay, thanks to the efforts of AIDS activist Gail Johnson. Since her adopted son Nkosi died of AIDS last year, Johnson has been working flat-out to raise money to buy two properties to accommodate HIV positive women, their children and AIDS orphans. Kerry Cullinan reports.

Kerry Cullinan
April 5, 2002

Testing for HIVLiving with AIDS Programme 73

Health

A laboratory in the basement of the medical school at the University of Cape Town serves around 90% of clinics and hospitals in the Western Cape. Although based at the University of Cape Town, the laboratory falls under the authority of the National Health Laboratory Services. In this audio report, Dr Dianna Hardie is a senior specialist in the Virology Department and explains how the Elisa test is carried out.

Health-e News
April 4, 2002

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