People living with HIV in South Africa, who access antiretroviral therapy (ART) before their immune systems are severely compromised, have life expectancies close to that of the general population, researchers have found.

MEDIA RELEASE: As of this month (April), some public sector AIDS patients will start to take simplified ARV treatment of just one pill a day to manage their infection. The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) welcomes this change in treatment protocols by the Department of Health.

From April 1, HIV positive people on antiretroviral therapy will be able to take one pill a day, instead of three pills twice a day.

MEDIA RELEASE: Recent news reports across the world included the incredible information that a baby had been cured of HIV. Is this really true?

Aidsmap: A study from France has found 14 adult patients who also started a course of ART soon after infection, who subsequently stopped it, and have not had to re-start because they have largely '€“ and in eight cases completely '€“ maintained undetectable viral loads for at least four years after stopping therapy (a baby has, so far, only managed a year off therapy). Read the full aidsmap article here.

VHEMBE. '€“ The health services here has been unable to help a pensioner who is suffering from strange illness.

VHEMBE. '€“ Gloria Mathukha is used to be called '€˜crazy'€™ or '€˜mad woman'€™, but this doesn'€™t make it any easier. This 36-year-old woman from Matavhela village in Limpopo has a mentally disability and suffers constant discrimination from members in her community.

The much anticipated pill-a-day HIV prevention tool has been dealt a huge blow after a large scale study '€“ mostly conducted in South Africa '€“ found that most women did not adhere and take the one antiretroviral (ARV) drug daily.

LUSIKISIKI. - The country'€™s National Strategic Plan (NSP) to reduce HIV, sexually transmitted infections and TB offers a multi-pronged approach to tackle some of the country'€™s greatest health challenges.

After several news reports by the OurHealth community journalists, the TAC and SECTION27 visited the new Village Clinic in Lusikisiki last week. "What we found is a disgrace and violation of patients and workers rights," the activists said. Read the full report here.

A massive population-based study launched in the Western Cape and Zambia yesterday is aiming to answer the critical question whether testing large populations for HIV and immediately starting those infected on effective antiretroviral treatment programmes, could close the tap on new infections.

Heterosexual couples in long-term relationships who have sexual encounters outside their established partnership (extra-couple relationships) are one of the main drivers of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, according to new research published in The Lancet journal.

LUSIKISIKI. '€“ Stigma and ignorance around HIV nearly cost Nozibele Mditshwa her life.

Bethlehem. - The community of Bohlokong commemorated World AIDS Day and 16 Days of Activism against Woman and Child Abuse at the Mphohadi Clinic.

My daughter is 5-years-old. She is beautiful, intelligent and smart. Every time I look at her she reminds me of where I've been and gives me hope for the road ahead. Right now the future looks bright for us '€“ but that wasn'€™t always the case.