Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 45 587 596 at 9.51am on Thursday February 21 2002
Proposed: An integrated HIV/Aids research entity by the University of the Witwatersrand, which will bring together all the research and policy work being undertaken at the university. Wits has nine key research units focusing on HIV/Aids. University vice-chancellor Professor Norma Reid made the announcement this week at her installation ceremony, saying the initial funding of R5 600 000 ($500 000) will come from the Carnegie Foundation.
Sentenced: A 25-year-old Swedish man, to five years in prison and a fine, for knowingly infecting two women with HIV between 1997 and 2000. According to court documents he didn’t tell the women of his infection because he feared being rejected. The court found that Fawzi Ali Batum acted with a “recklessness and indifference toward the plaintiffs” that justified the prosecution’s charge of aggravated assault.
Sceptical: Mozambicans who do not accept the existence of Aids, as stated by its government in an application for funding from the United Nations-managed Global Fund to Fight Aids. Janet Mondlane, the head of the country’s National Council to Fight Aids, appealed to the fund saying that the country still has an uphill battle with the disease.