Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 46 496 650 at 12.58 pm on Thursday April 25
A testing time: AngloGold says its research data estimates that 29% of its workforce is HIV-positive. The company estimates this will increase its costs in its South African operations by between $4 (R44) and $6 (R66) an ounce. The company says its HIV/Aids policy aims to reduce the spread of the virus and also to prolong the lives of those already infected.
Empty classrooms: In Mozambique, a new study on the virus indicates that 17% of the country?s teachers will die in the next 10 years. Deputy Minister of Education Telmira Pereira said Aids is a leading cause of deaths among teachers. He also said the epidemic is common among youth in the urban areas and along key routes linking the country with South Africa and Zambia.
Dining for Aids orphans: About 1 600 people across the globe have committed themselves to hosting fund-raising dinners to benefit South African Aids orphans. Initiated by South Africans living in London, the event will be held on Freedom Day to collect funding for some 600 500 children orphaned by the epidemic. Projections estimate this will grow to 1,2-million orphans by 2005.
Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 46 395 160 at 11.50am on Thursday April 18
To be launched: A two-week voluntary counselling and testing programme for HIV/Aids, in Kudumane in the North West on Saturday. The province’s MEC for Health Molefi Sefularo said this “provides an entry into care services for people [who are] infected, and a chance for behaviour change for those who test negative”.
Shrinking: Life expectancy of South African women, according to a report from NMG-Levy. The labour relations consulting firm said Aids is expected to drive down the life expectancy of women to 43 by 2005 and 37 in 2010. The figure was 54 in 1999.
Aids palaver: The 14th International Aids Conference, involving about 15 000 experts from 154 countries, is set for Barcelona. To be held over six days, the pow-wow will afford a chance for experts to ponder the latest advances against the pandemic.
Dedicated: To the late Aids hero, Nkosi Johnson, the opening of a Cape Town concert by UB40, United Kingdom-based reggae outfit. Band members also confirmed their commitment to support local Aids-awareness campaigns and will feature in a TV advert to encourage South Africans to use condoms.
Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 46 295 250 as of 1.25pm Thursday April 11
Viva Madiba: Nelson Mandela has again criticised the slowness with which the nevirapine anti-HIV programme is being rolled out to pregnant women, and has repeated his call that the public sector should look to providing anti-retroviral drugs. The South African Council of Churches has also called for the government to accelerate access to nevirapine.
Viva Festus: Botswanan President Festus Mogae has announced that by the year end an estimated 19 000 people will be receiving anti-retroviral medicine to combat Aids. An estimated 19% of Botswanans, 38% of adults, are thought to have the virus.
Rolling, rolling, rolling: The Eastern Cape says it needs three weeks to see where it can roll out its nevirapine programme to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child, although nine hospitals in the province have said they are ready to go ahead.
Posthumous recognition: Nkosi Johnson, who died last year at the age of 12 as a result of HIV/Aids, was proclaimed joint winner of the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child.
Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 46 193 136 at 11:11am on Thursday April 4 2002
Dropped: Charges of trespassing against 10 members of the National Association of People Living with HIV/Aids (Napwa) by the Johannesburg Regional Court. This follows a sit-in the 10 staged at an insurance company office in Johannesburg on Wednesday as part of their campaign to force financial institutions to review their policies on how they treat people living with the virus.
Aids worth the Shuttle: The South African-born entrepreneur, Mark Shuttleworth, the self-styled first African in space, will have his Russian Soyuz shuttle display the South African flag and the HIV/Aids ribbon as well as the logo of his company, HBD. The HIV/Aids ribbon is intended to help to enhance awareness of the disease.
Aids indaba: to be hosted by Minister of Education, Kader Asmal. The three-day conference starting on May 30 in Johannesburg will look at how HIV/Aids will impact on the quality of education and performance up to 2010. The gathering will also explore ways in which the sector can respond to challenges the virus poses to education and training programmes. Invitees will be drawn mainly from people who are knowledgeable about HIV/Aids.
Aids helpline number: 0800 012 322