Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 44 581 069 on Thursday December 13 2001
Holding fast: Western Cape Premier Peter Marais confirmed that the province under its new government will continue to provide anti-retroviral drugs, including nevirapine, to HIV-positive pregnant women and rape survivors.
Gold Fields acts: Gold Fields Limited signed an Aids pact with the National Union of Mineworkers, United Associations of South Africa and the Mineworkers Union Solidarity to help prevent the spread of Aids among employees and to initiate treatment programmes for those who are HIV-positive. The agreement included provisions for a partnership approach to the principles for management of Aids within the company, improved awareness using formal education, the promotion of condom usage, HIV testing and counselling for all employees.
Educating sex workers: Providing HIV awareness counselling to prostitutes is more cost-effective in saving lives in Africa than treating Aids sufferers with anti-retroviral drugs, researchers from the University of California said this week. Advising urban sex workers on risky practices and giving them condoms costs $1,32 per year per life saved. Generic anti-retrovirals will cost just over double that figure.