A string of disappointing scientific research results on the HIV prevention front suggests that alternative methods of prevention, besides the condom and femidom, are not on the immediate horizon. What are the implications of this?
Statements made by ANC politicians at the recent national congress of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) suggest a move towards better relations between the government and the activist group. The relationship between the two has been at an all-time low over the last few years amid confrontation and mudslinging over the anti-retroviral treatment roll-out plan.
With a poor control programme, the development of drug-resistant bacilli, no new drugs to treat it and an increasing HIV case load, South Africa is facing the worst TB epidemic in decades.
The stocky, greying man moves in behind the microphone and flings his fist in the air. 'I am stopping TB,' he shouts.
A chorus of voices replies, echoing off the drab interior of the Mitchells Plain community hall ' 'I am stopping TB!'
In just less than a month after the disappointing Carraguard microbicide results, a study using a genital herpes drug, Acyclovir, has proved that it does not reduce the risk of HIV infection among people with Herpes Simplex Virus-2.
Results of an international study testing whether Acyclovir, a pill used for the treatment of genital herpes, can reduce HIV risk, show that the intervention is not effective in preventing HIV infection.
Allowing home-based community workers to run an antiretroviral therapy service at people's homes would reduce deaths, according to The Lancet
Organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS are still hopeful that new HIV prevention methods will be found despite Carraguard's disappointing results.
The misconduct charge against rural doctor Colin Pfaff for implementing 'dual therapy' at his hospital have been dropped.
Yet another microbicide candidate fails to prevent HIV infection, as the scientific world turns its attention to 'third generation' technology.
MEC slurs rural doctors and describes AZT as "toxic" while on hospital tour.
South Africa's health department will continue to adapt the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on the prevention of mother to children transmission (PMTCT) 'to suit the national situation'.
Africa will not achieve the United Nations-set sixth Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halting and reversing the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) by 2015.
Perhaps the most encouraging news about HIV/AIDS this year is that prevalence rates in South Africa and the world are decreasing. The decline might be small, but it's certainly something to build on going forth into 2008.
An HIV vaccine is possible, but it will take some time before it's discovered, says the head of the HIV/AIDS Research Unit at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Prof. Lynn Morris.
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