Stories of survivalLiving with AIDS #163
This week we hear from people living with AIDS who readily admit they owe their lives to the support and information they receive from being part of an organisation committed to securing access to treatment.
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Another spanner in the ARV works?
The relationship between the South African government and the Clinton Foundation, which helped procure low cost antiretroviral drugs for the country's long-awaited AIDS treatment programme, appears to have broken down.
W.Cape’s rapid response
In the space of five years, the Western Cape has set up prevention of mother-to-child treatment sites throughout the province as well as providing antiretroviral treatment on a limited basis. Health-e asked the head of the AIDS Programme in the Western Cape, Dr. Fareed Abdullah to share the lessons they've learned over the past 10 years.
Spreading the wordLiving with AIDS # 162
The national treatment plan for HIV and AIDS offers a new opportunity to dispel some of the myths about the virus and to educate people about the epidemic and how best to take care of themselves. The development of this vital communications campaign is already under way.
A decade of AIDS
In the 10 years since our first democratic election in 1994, the HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women has risen from 7.6 percent to 26.5 percent. Ignorance, fear and prejudice have defined the reponse to HIV/AIDS in many countries and South Africa has been no different. However, a key organisation that has emerged to defend the rights of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS is the Treatment Action Campaign. Health-e looks at how activists have risen to the challenge.
Rolling back the roll-out
Pressure is mounting on government to honour its promise to roll out an HIV and AIDS Care and Treatment Plan. The plan had aimed to have 53 000 patients on treatment by the end of March 2004, however, it is clear this deadline won't be met. Health-e News Service finds out why.
Business failing in AIDS response Living with AIDS # 161
Results from a recent survey by the South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA) and the Bureau for Economic Research show that most companies have failed to respond to the epidemic. Only a quarter of the 1006 companies surveyed have implemented a workplace policy on HIV/AIDS, and even less have a Voluntary Counselling and Testing programme, or provide care, treatment and support for infected workers.
Hazards of interrupted ARV supply Living with AIDS
Three young South African AIDS patients recently missed essential doses of their antiretroviral drugs after the supplier, Merck Sharp & Dohme ran out of stocks. The pharmaceutical giant ran out of its 50 mg tablet of Efavirenz, or Stocrin, one of the principle AIDS medicines for children aged three and older. A serious consequence of such shortages is that resistance to the particular drug can develop if patients interrupt their treatment. Furthermore, irregular drug supplies could jeopardise the government's imminent roll-out of an HIV and AIDS treatment plan.
SANDF takes up arms against AIDSLiving with AIDS #159
The South African National Defence Force this week launched Project Phidisa, a programme aimed at providing treatment, including anti-retrovirals, to army members known to be ill with AIDS-defining conditions. The service will also extend to their families.
The moral cost of HIV and AIDS
A new book titled "The Moral Economy of AIDS" by University of Cape Town economist Dr Nicoli Nattrass was published recently, adding to the canon of South African literature on HIV/AIDS. Health-e News Service asked her what she meant by a 'moral economy'.
Everybody’s business and everybody’s faultLiving with AIDS # 155
While HIV and AIDS is a condition that still strikes fear among many people, developments in medical, scientific and social sciences research communities over the last few years have helped to change perceptions. HIV and AIDS can be a manageable and treatable condition. That is the thrust of a new book: 'Still Everybody's Business', published by insurance group, Metropolitan.
WHO strategy for treatment
Five to six million people infected with HIV/AIDS in the developing world need access to anti-retroviral drugs, but only about 400 000 receive this life-prolonging treatment.
WHO strategy for treatment
Five to six million people infected with HIV/AIDS in the developing world need access to anti-retroviral drugs, but only about 400 000 receive this life-prolonging treatment.
Food and traditional medicines prominent in AIDS planLiving with AIDS # 154
Good nutrition and traditional or complementary medicines feature prominently in the government's HIV and AIDS treatment and care plan approved by Cabinet last week. The plan provides for the roll-out of life-prolonging antiretroviral medicines for people living with AIDS. Khopotso Bodibe of Health-e News Service spoke to members of the AIDS Treatment Task Team to find out why the emphasis on food and traditional medicines.
Village offers oasis of care and support
Behind some trees, just off the N2 highway past Richards Bay, a unique village is taking shape that aims to address the many problems faced by people with HIV/AIDS.