Breastfeeding poses a danger for HIV+ mothers
New research shows that HIV positive mothers who breastfeed their babies are more likely to die than those who use formula milk.
Health
Read More » Breastfeeding poses a danger for HIV+ mothers
Nkosi’s battle finally over
Young Nkosi Johnson'€™s long and exhausting battle against AIDS is finally over. 12 year old Nkosi, one of the most inspiring AIDS ambassadors the world will ever see, died peacefully in his sleep at 5.40am this morning (Friday, June 1). Anso Thom reports.
A love letter to Nkosi
A few weeks before Nkosi Johnson collapsed and fell into a coma, he spent seven days on holiday in Cape Town. He stayed with his long time friends Anso Thom and Gerda Kruger and their son, Siya. Everywhere they went, from Cape Point to Camps Bay, Nkosi was recognised and greeted by people who told him of people they knew living with HIV/AIDS. As the vigil next to his bedside continues, Anso and Gerda have written a personal reflection of the impact this little boy has had on their lives.
Start nevirapine programme ourselves, De Lille urges
Government'€™s failure to prevent mothers from transmitting HIV to their babies means that South Africans should get down and start such programmes themselves, says Pan Africanist Congress MP Patricia de Lille.
Johannesburg Airport investigated for illegal tobacco advertising
The National Council Against Smoking has fired the first salvo in the war against tobacco advertising by laying a formal complaint with the police after several shops at Johannesburg International Airport were found to be displaying logos and advertisements. Health-e reports on World No Tobacco Day...
The business of AIDS
While the heat of public attention has been focused on government and its response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the business sector has been slow to come to terms with the potential impact of the disease on people and how to pre-empt it.
Anger and attitude affect rate of heart disease
There is substantial research to show that in addition to diet and exercise, psycho-social factors play a significant role in in the cause '€“ and treatment '€“ of heart disease. Kerry Cullinan reports.
New trial for children’€™s malaria vaccine
Africa'€™s biggest killer disease could be stopped in its tracks if a new malaria vaccine for children proves successful in clinical trials which are due to begin soon in The Gambia.
World doctors support effort to get AIDS drugs to the poor
Doctors meeting at the World Congress of Family Doctors in Durban have commmitted themselves to ensuring that affordable anti-AIDS drugs become available to the world'€™s poor '€“ not just to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, but also as treatment for those living with the virus.
Activists protest against HIV clinic’s collapse
AIDS activists will picket outside the Johannesburg Hospital's HIV clinic today (Friday) in protest against understaffing and poor resources which have rendered the clinic virtually inoperable over the past few months. As Anso Thom reports, the sorry state of affairs at the clinic has existed for some time.
Consumers likely to  gain as  pharmacy industry faces overhaul
The pharmacy industry has moved swiftly to prepare itself for the implementation of the much disputed Medicines and Related Substances Control Amendment Act that is set to bring huge changes to the entire medical industry. The price of prescription medicine is likely to fall as pharmacists  swop their profit margins for a professional fee. Anso Thom reports...
Best brains to research African diseases at new UCT centre
A medical research centre to study diseases that most affect Africa is in the final stages of being established at the University of Cape Town. The new institute will concentrate on a variety of diseases including HIV/AIDS, malaria, major cancers and various genetic and metabolic disorders. It also hopes to reduce the "brain drain" by offering South African scientists a place to pursue top quality research.
Minister meets pharmaceutical giants in London
In the wake of the collapse of the court case brought by major pharmaceutical companies against the Medicines and Related Substances Control Amendment Act, health minister Manto Tshabalala Msimang will meet some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies in London to discuss access to drugs and the implementation of the Act.
TAC threatens legal action against govt
The Treatment Action Campaign plans to intensify its campaign to pressurise government to extend its prevention programme against mother-to-child-transmission of HIV. TAC wants government to offer HIV positive pregnant women access to the anti-retroviral drug Nevirapine at 18 sites countrywide.
South Africa to benefit from malaria drug deal
Swiss drug company Novartis has indicated that is in the final stages of negotiating a slash in the price of a malaria drug, a move that would benefit South Africa as well.