Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 45 185 005 as of 11:56am on Thursday 24 January
Taken by surprise: Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Lionel Mtshali’s announcement that the anti-retroviral nevirapine would be administered as an emergency measure in the province. Tshabalala-Msimang told journalists that Mtshali had not approached the Department of Health to discuss his concerns. Mtshali’s decision comes after doctors at some hospitals in the province ignored policy and began administering the drug to patients.
Increasing cases: Zambia is experiencing an increase in the number of tuberculosis cases caused by the prevalence of HIV/Aids. Dr Alwyn Mwinga, a tuberculosis specialist at Zambia’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, says the increase is almost five times greater than in the past 15 years.
Business obstacle: HIV/Aids is one the biggest obstacles to doing business in South Africa, says a survey conducted by the Centre for International and Comparative Politics at the University of Stellenbosh. Professor Hennie Kotze said that respondents ranked HIV/Aids, crime and corruption as the main obstacles, followed by education levels and financing. Responders included leaders from business, politics and unions.
Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 45 082 774 at 08.26am, Thursday January 17, 2002
SAMRC awarded R270-million: The South African Medical Research Council and a number of foreign research organisations have been awarded R270-million to develop a vaginal microbicide for the prevention of HIV transmission to women. Dr Gita Ramjee, the acting director of the council’s HIV prevention and vaccine research unit, says the microbicide – probably in a gel, a foam sponge or a pessary – would be capable of blocking HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Focus on quality care: The Department of Health announced this week that it will use its volunteer programme to improve the quality of care it provides. Sibani Mngadi, spokesperson for the minister of health, said another area of major focus will be to look at the role of community structures in the health system – their involvement in the running and maintenance of hospitals and clinics. The African National Congress has scheduled April for a volunteer focus on health.
Soldier sues army: A soldier has taken the Indian army to court for a false positive result from an HIV test. The soldier, PS Vinod, was tested for HIV when he was selected to be part of a United Nations peace mission in Lebanon.
Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 44 984 124 as of 12.11pm on January 10, 2002
Threatened: South Africa will not meet the targeted 80% to 85% tuberculosis (TB) cure rate set by the World Health Organisation because of Aids, experts warned this week. More than 50% of TB patients are HIV-positive and it is one of the most common causes of death among Aids sufferers.
Masters Programme in HIV/Aids Management: The department of industrial psychology of the University of Stellenbosch will present a master’s programme in HIV/Aids management starting this year.
Targeting the infected: Health authorities in California have been mandated to spend 25% of their HIV-prevention budget on programmes targeting HIV-positive people, to stop them from infecting others, in a campaign called “Aids stops with me”.
Women take the initiative: Leading women from 16 African countries this week discussed the “impact of HIV/Aids in Africa” at a conference in Kenya of the International Council of Women. Opening the conference on Tuesday Kenya’s Minister for Health, Sam Ongeri, told the participants that more than one-milllion children in Kenya have been orphaned by HIV/Aids, and about 700 people were dying from the disease daily.
Aids helpline number: 0800 012 322