Media-based HIV communication programmes have some influence on people's attitudes to HIV, according to recent research. The spin-offs include improved prevention behaviour, a better understanding of those living with HIV and AIDS and increased community involvement in HIV issues. But much still needs to be done.
Controversial University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Girish Kotwal has resigned following an investigation into his ties with an untested 'anti-HIV' remedy.
The Treatment Action Campaign may suspend its call for the resignation of Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang provided that government 'shows the leadership on HIV/AIDS that we have been asking for, for the past five years'.
In the heart of North West mining territory, the 352-bed Rustenburg Hospital is almost full to capacity, admitting over 2 000 patients and treating over 8 000 out-patients per month. TB and pneumonia, both closely associated with HIV, are seen everyday. Staff is grappling to deal with the patient-load.
The rising HIV infection rate in Africa calls for broadcasters on the continent to make more airtime and other resources available to increase awareness and encourage behaviour change. At a recent meeting the broadcasters ' under an initiative called the African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/AIDS - decided to do so by promoting a message of hope.
Rising HIV cases in South Africa are placing a huge strain on the country's public health facilities. Natalspruit Hospital, in Gauteng's East Rand, is buckling under pressure.
The emergence of the super drug resistant strain of tuberculosis, XDR-TB, in KwaZulu-Natal is not an unexpected occurrence. It's a product of a TB programme that does not effectively address the TB problem, say experts.
The greatest threat to any country's AIDS treatment programme is the failure to effectively prevent new infections. With that realisation, a vigorous campaign to research new HIV prevention mechanisms is gaining momentum.
In the space of two short years, a Johannesburg HIV/AIDS clinic has become the biggest antiretroviral treatment site in Africa and one of the biggest in the world.
Matters can only improve on the public relations front when it comes to Government's AIDS campaign following its disastrous showing at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto.
The Health Minister's continued misrepresentation of the facts on the role of nutrition in the management of AIDS is regrettable and against the law, says Dr Kgosi Letlape, South African Medical Association (SAMA) chairperson.
At least four of the Westville prisoners with AIDS who have applied to court for the right to antiretroviral treatment may die before their legal battle is settled. (Update in newsbriefs)
TORONTO ' Billionaire AIDS philanthropist Bill Gates set the tone at the opening of the 16th International AIDS conference last Sunday when he stated 'we have to do a much better job on prevention'.
A doctor who gave up a thriving private practice in Gauteng to help people living with HIV in a rural backwater was named 'Rural Doctor of the Year' last week.
TORONTO ' A study from KwaZulu-Natal has revealed shocking details of a super-tuberculosis strain ' XDR TB ' that is resistant to all first and second line TB drugs and has an extraordinary high death rate.South Africa does not yet have any drugs to treat people with XDR TB.
Be in the know with our free weekly newsletter. We deliver a round-up of our top stories and insightful reads from across the web.