Although South Africa has come a long way in treating HIV, considerable challenges remain in closing the gaps to reach the UN 95-95-95 target by 2030. The aim is to have 95% of all people living with HIV to know…
Delaying legalising sex work in South Africa will impede the effective implementation of the new National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs. This is the warning from the South African National Aids Council (SANAC). Responding to the government’s decision…
The cost of treating Hepatitis C In South Africa will drastically decrease in the coming months. Currently, a 3-month treatment course is R19,984 per patient. The National Health Department says the price cut will make treatment much more affordable. Health…
The dapivirine vaginal ring will soon be available to women and young girls at limited pilot sites from June. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved its use by women ages 18 and older to reduce their…
Experts are sounding the alarm over continued low condom usage by South African youth, particularly as it contributes to the high rate of teenage pregnancies and HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women. The South African National AIDS…
People living with HIV in the Free State have raised their grievances via the Free State Department of Health’s multi-sectoral forum held last week. Several patients have exposed shocking truths regarding their treatment at clinics across the province. Tshepo Rabotapi,…
With South Africa expected to begin piloting injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) early next year, experts have described the proposed rollout as a potential ‘game changer’ in the fight against the virus. It is primed to provide an additional HIV…
South African children will have to wait until next year for the rollout of the child friendly, ‘sweet-tasting’ antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, despite this new 4-in-1 combination receiving the green light. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the…
Despite studies proving that the new HIV treatment drug – dolutegravir (DTG) – is highly effective at suppressing the virus in the body with fewer side effects, millions of South Africans remain on the old efavirenz regimen. In 2019, the…
The Global Fund has donated R8.8-billion to South Africa to fight HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria. The grant, which runs for three years from April 2022 until March 2025, gives a major boost to the country’s efforts to eradicate these diseases.…
South African women will have to wait before laying their hands on the newly-approved dapivirine vaginal ring (DPV-VR – while the National Department of Health assesses the effectiveness of the HIV prevention device. Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson, Foster Mohale,…
A local HIV expert has urged South Africans to remain calm following the recent discovery of a new highly transmissible and dangerous HIV variant. The exceptionally virulent strain, known as the ‘VB variant’, was identified by a group of Oxford…
