Health

Facing AIDS with food parcels & fortitude
Living with AIDS – Programme 51

Health

Volunteers are the backbone of care and support for people with HIV/AIDS. At the Red Cross Home Based Care centre in Nyanga, Cape Town a small team of dedicated workers has been caring for people with HIV/AIDS across the Cape Flats since 1993. Unemployment, poverty and hunger wittle away people's resistance and make those infected with HIV even more vulnerable to the course of the disease. In this audio package, home-based care workers describe the impact of HIV/AIDS and explain their commitment to helping those who are ill.

Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla
October 4, 2001

Illegal testing of domestic workers for HIV – doctors walk free

Health

It is illegal for a doctor to test anyone for HIV without their consent. In spite of this, many doctors acting on the requests of employers, test domestic workers for the virus under false pretenses. To date, no doctors have been prosecuted for such misconduct.

Anso Thom
October 2, 2001

Female condom – allowing women to protect themselvesLiving with AIDS # 49

Health

Women are more at risk of contracting HIV than are men. In this audio report on the female condom, researchers speak about the extent to which it enables women to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.

Health-e News
September 27, 2001

Men have good reason to favour the female condomLiving with AIDS # 50

Health

In this audio report, another look at the female condom. Researchers speak about the pros and cons of the femidom and how acceptable it is to women - and to men.

Health-e News
September 27, 2001

“Get on with it”, labour, the church and TAC tell Government

Health

COSATU, the Anglican and Catholic churhes and the Treatment Campaign have joined forces, determined to pressurise Government into increasing its budget to allow for AIDS drugs. The groups also called on Government to declare a national emergency and to "get on with it", steering clear of controversy

Anso Thom
September 21, 2001

Decisive measures to control TB and Malaria

Health

South African health minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has recommitted herself to fighting TB and Malaria. She has ordered a forensic audit of the SA National TB Association and expanded the use of DDT to control Malaria in Mpumalanga and the Northern Province.

Anso Thom
September 14, 2001

SA cannot afford anti-retrovirals now – Health minister

Health

South Africa's Health minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has made it clear that her budget does not allow for anti-retroviral treatment, but she has recommitted herself to treating opportunistic infections, boosting people's immune systems and addressing nutrition as a matter or urgency. She also refuted reports that Government was de-emphasising spend on HIV/AIDS.

Health-e News
September 14, 2001

Children ask simply for the basics
Living with AIDS – Programme 47

Health

The death of parents due to HIV/AIDS is leaving a growing number of children vulnerable and in need of care. The more fortunate are taken in by grandparents or other relatives, but this does not protect them from the a life of poverty where food and clothing is scarce and often they are turned away unconstitutionally from schools because they can't afford school fees. In this audio report we hear from amongst others, a young girl from the Northern Province.

Health-e News
September 14, 2001

SA scientists shy away from debating Mbeki

Health

South African scientists are reluctant to comment on and engage with President Thabo Mbeki's interpretation of cause of death statistics and whether AIDS is the biggest killer in the country or not.

Health-e News
September 13, 2001

Health Dept takes on TAC

Health

In what promises to be a bruising court battle, the Health Minister and nine health MECs indicated yesterday, (Wednesday 12th) that they would contest the Treatment Action Campaign's demand for the anti-AIDS drug Nevirapine to be freely available to pregnant HIV positive women.

Kerry Cullinan
September 13, 2001

Schools must support children affected by HIV/AIDS
Living with AIDS – Programme 48

Health

The impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is exacerbated by the fact that many of the children affected and infected are desperately poor. Despite their right to free education and state support, they are frequently consigned to the margins of society by unsympathetic teachers and principals. In previous audio packages these children have spoken out about their needs. In this feature, the education department explains its commitment to support these children.

Ina Skosana
September 13, 2001

Mother-to-Child Transmission

Health

The Health Minister has until today, (Wednesday 12th) to respond to court papers demanding that she offers the anti-AIDS drug Nevirapine to all pregnant HIV positive women.

Health-e News
September 12, 2001

Mother to Child HIV Prevention – how it works

Health

A step-by-step explanation of how the government's programme to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV works, from ante-natal HIV testing to birth and beyond.

Kerry Cullinan
September 12, 2001

Xenophobia, intolerance help spread HIV

Health

The World Conference Against Racism has heard how stigma and intolerance promote discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS which in turn impedes their access to health care and medication.

Kerry Cullinan
September 6, 2001

Global petition to put people before profits

Health

Third World Network, Oxfam International and Health Gap Coalition are accusing US trade policy of robbing the poor of their health and have launched a petition to try and change US president George Bush's mind on the matter.

Anso Thom
September 6, 2001

Newsletter Subscription