prevention
prevention
4.6m South Africans Took HIV Test – Motlanthe
More than 4.6 million South Africans took an HIV test since April, according to Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe.
Speaking at a World AIDS Day event in Mkhondo, Mpumalanga, Motlanthe pointed out that of this number, 800 000 (17 percent) tested positive for HIV.
He explains: "It means that friends, colleagues and families should talk about HIV in their workplaces, homes and communities, and take appropriate action to care for those infected and affected."
To read the article titled, “Motlanthe commemorates World AIDS Day,” click here.Source:Mail&GuardianUNICEF Report Focuses on Children and AIDS
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says a generation of babies could be born free of AIDS if the international community step up efforts to provide universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and social protection.
In its report entitled ‘Children and AIDS: Fifth Stocktaking Report 2010’, UNICEF found that millions of women and children, particularly in poor countries, fall through the cracks of HIV services either due to their gender, social or economic status, location or education.
The organisation states that while children have benefited from substantial progress made in the fight against AIDS, more must be done to ensure all women and children get access to the medicines and health services designed to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission.
To read the article titled, “UNICEF says HIV-free generation achievable,” click here.Source:Mail&GuardianAIDS Halves Swazi Life Expectancy – MSF
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), warning of a health emergency in Swaziland, says the twin epidemics of AIDS and tuberculosis are ravaging that country, helping to halve life expectancy to 31 years.
The Geneva-headquartered medical charity points out that, "The co-epidemic has contributed substantially to a halving of life expectancy within two decades - from 60 years in the 1990s to 31 in 2007."
The organisations further says Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV infection in the world at 26.1 percent, adding more than 80 percent of people suffering from tuberculosis have also been infected with HIV.
To read the article titled, “AIDS halves Swazi life expectancy,” click here.Source:News24Scientists Proclaim Breakthrough in HIV Prevention
Scientists have proclaimed a breakthrough in research into the use of an antiretroviral microbicide which they say could prevent more than 500 000 new HIV infections in South Africa alone over the next decade.
The scientists say that an experiment with a trial group of South African women shows that those who used a vaginal gel containing tenofovir, an antiretroviral drug, were 39 percent less likely to become infected with HIV during sex than those who did not use it.
They say the gel is also 51 percent effective in preventing genital herpes infections in the women participating in the trial, noting that women with genital herpes run a high risk of HIV infection.
To read the article titled, “Scientists proclaim breakthrough in HIV prevention,” click here.Source:All AfricaLegal Grounds: Reproductive and Sexual Rights in African Commonwealth Courts, Volume II
‘Legal Grounds: Reproductive and Sexual Rights in African Commonwealth Courts, Volume II’ is a compilation of case summaries and analytical highlights that draws attention to the interpretation and application of human rights norms by courts in African Commonwealth countries. It focuses on issues pertaining to reproductive and sexual health and rights, including gender-based violence, marriage-related gender discrimination, validity of customary and religious marriages, property inheritance and distribution, abortion and claims of fetal interests, and HIV discrimination.
Legal Grounds II is a tool for organisations, individuals, and institutions of learning. Though the study of reproductive and sexual health as a human rights discipline on the African continent is still at a relatively young stage, a number of countries, including Nigeria and South Africa, are developing the discipline in their tertiary institutions. This publication is a compelling resource for students in this field. In addition, it is a contribution towards a knowledge base for jurisprudence that bears directly or indirectly on reproductive and sexual health as human rights, and is conducive towards building and entrenching a human rights culture on the African continent.
For more information, click here.
Getting Up-to-Date on Children and HIV: Same Old Story – Or a New Story?
The HIV Prevention Research Unit (HPRU), Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN), are hosting a discussion forum on the topic ‘Getting Up-to-Date on Children and HIV: Same Old Story – Or a New Story?’ on 25 May 2010 in Durban.
The broad realities of children in relation to HIV remain largely unchanged; however exciting developments are emerging which provide opportunities for all of us to transform the current challenges into more humane lives for all people including children.
In South Africa, HIV/AIDS violates all rights of all children to some extent due to the scale, scope and context of the pandemic. However recent developments in our understanding, in the political will and in our own organising provide fertile ground for meaningful changes for children. While we are in reverse gear for achieving our MDGs through realising children’s rights, we can change direction.
This presentation will cover the latest developments around children and HIV/AIDS: information on changes in understanding, policy and social mobilising; on developments in across a wide spectrum of topics from treatment for children, disclosure with children, infant testing and the HCT campaign, PMTCT and care and support work including Community Care Workers.
Dates: 25 May 2010
Time: 12h15 – 14h00
Speaker: Cati Vawda, Director, Children’s Rights Centre
RSVP: HIVAN / HIV-911: Stewart Kilburn, tel: 031 260 3331, fax: 086 554 1238, email: stewartk@hiv911.org.za
For more information on HIVAN/HIV-911 and for directions to the venue, click here.
Event start date:25/05/2010Event venue:MRC Building 491 Peter Makaba Road (Ridge Road), OverportEvent type:SeminarSouth African National AIDS Council
Acronym:SANACFounded:1997Website:sanacThe objectives of SANAC are to:
advise government on HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) policy and strategy, and related matter;
create and strengthen partnerships for an expanded national response to HIV and AIDS in South Africa;
receive and disseminate reports on all sectoral interventions to HIV and AIDS and consider challenge;
oversee continual monitoring and evaluation of all aspects of the National Strategic Plan on HIV & AIDS and STI’s (NSP) (2007-2011).Five Years to Children Born HIV Negative
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria says a world where all children are born free of HIV infection is possible in only five years if donors continue to fund global efforts to combat the virus.
The fund states that in addition tuberculosis (TB) transmission will be halved by 2015 and malaria will be eliminated as a public health problem by 2020 if it increases funding for its programmes.
According to health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, the fund has provided treatment for 400 000 of the 920 000 people who are on ART in the country. Motsoaledi says that the funding has helped the country to progress in achieving the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals on time.
To read the article titled, “Five years to children born free of HIV,” click here.Source:All AfricaArticle link:loveLife Comments on the 2010/11 Budget
The pessimist in us all waited with baited breath to criticise the Finance Minister and point fingers at the lack of response towards social and economic drivers stifling the growth of South Africa and its future aka our young people. However, the 2010 budget speech by Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, presented what seems like a good balance between economic development imperatives and social services. This not only made the pessimist take a backseat as we listened in anticipation, but caught the attention of at least every NGO, NPO and company striving to uplift the country.
As South Africa’s largest comprehensive national-scale HIV prevention programme, this year’s budget speech was not only of great interest to every loveLife activist, but an indicator of the commitment of the South African government towards a sustainable HIV free future for young people.
We believe that the real drivers of new HIV infections among young South Africans have less to do with a lack of knowledge and awareness of HIV and more to do with a complex interplay among socio-economic factors, societal expectations and pressures as well as an individual sense of hope and outlook on the future.
A comprehensive strategy is needed to address the specifics of the epidemic in South Africa, its resources and infrastructure and the socio-cultural context. It needs to seek to achieve sustained engagement with the first generation of young people growing up in the new South Africa who are exposed to greater benefits and opportunities than their parents, but still face many of the socio-economic legacies of the past such as poverty, unemployment and a lack of social and economic opportunities.
Among young people in particular there is a high association between school leaving and the odds of HIV infection as well as greater risk of infection and unplanned pregnancies among young people who have dropped out of school compared to their same age counterparts who are in school. We also know that young people who feel that they can really “be someone” are less likely to put themselves at risk for HIV. They have a sense of personal opportunity and possibility – that they can make choices for themselves and be part of the mainstream of society.
The new agenda for HIV prevention will have to be cognisant of these factors and focus on achieving a better balance between supply driven approaches (messaging about what to do and condom distribution) and demand driven approaches (building hope and social capital among young people to make them want to change their behaviour).
The new wage subsidy for inexperienced youth announced by the Minister on Wednesday is a creative first step in ensuring that young people have better job prospects and provide them with hope for the future. The sense of limbo they experience when they leave school will be counteracted by real connections to real opportunities.
We furthermore welcome the greater investment in FET colleges to give young people more options and better preparation for school leaving. This will contribute to the reduction of the high school dropout rate from grade 10. It remains a critical priority in building a real and sustainable future for young South Africans.
For now the pessimist has quieted down, but we realise that the success of this budget does not only depend on the extent to which our current administration manages delivery. but also in how civil society and the private sector play their role in ensuring that success.
Together we must create the reality that change is possible and that it requires action that will help young people achieve their goals and enable them to stay free of HIV.
Grace Matlhape
Chief Executive Officer
loveLifeAuthor(s):Grace MatlhapeUganda’s HIV & AIDS Bill: A Human Rights Faux Pas
The Ugandan Law Reform Commission formulated a new HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill for 2009, which has recently received widespread criticism from human rights groups across the globe. The Bill is said to be a dangerous approach to already discredited views on how to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS in Africa. Some of the clauses in the Bill, for example, call for mandatory testing of certain individuals such as pregnant women, sex workers and injecting drug users (IDUs).
These clauses are in direct conflict with human rights views in the Constitution of Uganda, human rights organisations as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This Consultancy Africa Intelligence (CAI) brief takes a closer look at the Ugandan Government’s prevention and control strategies for HIV & AIDS and examines how this Bill impacts on the human rights of HIV and AIDS sufferers in Uganda. The brief also discusses how this new Bill may influence Uganda’s success rate regarding the control and prevention of HIV and AIDS in the country.
A brief history of Uganda’s fight against HIV and AIDS
Uganda has been considered the model for controlling and preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS in Africa. Thanks to the strong leadership in the Government, broad-based partnerships with HIV and AIDS organisations, health organisations and international societies, and an effective educational campaign, a decline in the number of people living with HIV and AIDS was evident since the 1990s.
This successful HIV prevention campaign is credited with decreasing the HIV prevalence among adults from 15 percent in the early 1990s to approximately five percent in 2001. This campaign was based on the ABC approach (Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom use).
It now seems, however, that the number of people in Uganda who are living with the virus is once again on the increase. Many believe this may be due to the complacency of people’s attitude towards AIDS; it is seen as the normal course of life. This rise in HIV prevalence and the wide-spread attitude of complacency certainly necessitates the Ugandan Government’s review of their HIV and AIDS campaign, and the production of a more comprehensive programme that includes HIV testing with the ABC approach.
The HIV & AIDS Prevention and Control Bill
This proposed Bill by the Ugandan Government states: “The following persons shall be subjected to HIV tests for purposes of criminal investigation.” This implies that the test taker does not have the right to retract or give their consent for the testing and goes against the international approach to AIDS, known as the three C’s - Confidentiality, Counselling and Consent. The WHO and UNAIDS have strict guidelines against mandatory and/or compulsory HIV testing, instead promoting voluntary HIV testing to prevent the individual loss of human rights.
The new Bill seems to target already marginalised, criminalised and vulnerable groups in society stating that sex workers, pregnant women, drug users and victims of sexual assault “shall be subjected” to HIV tests. Such inclusions make the health system appear to be prejudiced and discriminatory, and create major obstructions for the fight against and treatment for HIV and AIDS. By implementing obligatory testing for sexual assault victims, the Bill threatens the victim’s rights and might also harm them indirectly, since not only the source of the infection will be investigated but their sexual history as well. Pregnant women and girls lose their own personal right of decision making, also going against ethical guidelines of the health systems. By specifically targeting and naming certain groups/individuals in the Bill, the Ugandan Government opens the door for stigma and discrimination against these groups, and especially women, who are already subjected to more HIV testing due to pre and post-natal medical care.
Other issues regarding the Bill include the provision of consent, which is, according to the Bill, unnecessary when it is unreasonably withheld or for medical or psychological reasons the practitioner believes that such a test is clinically important for the patient. The category for giving consent is too broad and infringes on the individuals privacy when consent can so easily be overwritten due to a law that is clearly unspecific. Overwriting consent when a medical practitioner believes that it is important for the patient is unnecessary, since HIV is not an emergency condition and a person can live with this disease for a long period of time, this approach is excessive and unwarranted.
Clause 21 in the Bill states that an HIV infected person should inform their sexual partner about their positive status or face criminal charges. Similarly, this inclusion is also ethically questionable from a number of perspectives. Firstly, this clause impinges on the individual’s right to confidentiality and privacy, and once again may promote stigmatisation and discrimination towards people living with HIV and AIDS. Secondly, the criminalisation of not informing a sexual partner of one’s HIV status promotes abusive prosecutions of individuals. The Bill also permits the disclosure of HIV status without the individual’s consent, if certain conditions are met. These conditions are once again broad, unnecessarily sloppy and can easily be interpreted incorrectly, consequently having a negative influence on the HIV positive individual’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
The Bill also criminalises the “intentional transmission” of the virus to another person. Although recognition must be given to the fact that the deliberate transmission of the virus with the aim of infecting another person is wrong, the manner in which the Bill criminalises this transgression goes against existing laws in Uganda and international guidelines regarding HIV and human rights.
Possible repercussions of the Bill
The Bill aims to assist in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Uganda, specifically targeting the prevention and control of HIV. As the law stands, however, it violates the human rights of those already infected with the virus and a number of minority and at-risk groups. This Bill invokes fear rather than encouragement with the prevention of HIV. According to Joseph Amon, Health and Human Rights Director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), a fear arises that the mandatory testing and disclosure of HIV status will cause prosecution and violence rather than care and treatment of the disease.
A practical and true repercussion of the Bill is that HIV positive mother’s who breastfeed their babies, and thus, in this way transmit the disease, can be prosecuted under the new law if the Bill is passed. Once again, this negatively affects women since they cannot always negotiate condom use and their partners that were the source of their infection will not be recognised by the law as it now stands (21).
With recent research showing an increasing HIV prevalence rate in Uganda, it is necessary to either change strategies or update previously successful models. According to Beatrice Were of the Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV and AIDS, “We know what works and what doesn’t in fighting HIV…This bill, unfortunately, is full of ineffective approaches that violate human rights and will set us back in our efforts to fight the AIDS epidemic and expand HIV programmes nationwide.” (22) This summarises the Bill’s possible influences on Uganda’s HIV and AIDS control and prevention programme. Uganda now shows a utilitarian and rigid state-powered machine trying to control this epidemic with laws that contradicts the country’s constitution and undermines citizen’s human rights.
Conclusion
The outright criticism of Uganda’s new HIV and AIDS Bill draws attention to the importance of realising all role players in every instance. The question that should be asked now is whether HIV and AIDS has reached or will ever reach such a point that civil law must be laid down in which human rights will be neglected until the threat has disappeared. Are such rash and negligent initiatives really an answer, or can HIV and AIDS be controlled by using approaches such as the ABC method, where communities are empowered to help themselves?
Joseph Amon may have one answer, at least for now: “It's important to have a law that protects the rights of people with regard to the HIV and AIDS epidemic, but the bill as drafted would only make it harder to prevent and treat HIV and would put Uganda's HIV policies and response far outside of global norms.” (23) Only time will tell, as human rights and AIDS activists around the world wait with bated breath for the ramifications of a Bill which can unarguably be described as outdated and ill-informed.
NOTES:
(2) Uganda Law Reform Commission, (2009). HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.
(3) http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/11/06/uganda-bill-threatens-progress-hivaids
(4) Human Rights Watch, (2009). Comments to Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS
and Related Matters about the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.
(5) http://www.avert.org/aids-uganda.htm
(6) Stoneburner RL, Low-Beer D (2004). Population-level HIV declines and behavioral risk avoidance in Uganda. Science, April 30; 304(5671):714-8.
(7) STD/AIDS Control Program, (2002) Trends in HIV prevalence and sexual behaviour (1990-2000) in Uganda.
(8) http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/E7A3F648-945A-405D-BF00-89BA7E7FDCDF.asp
(9) Uganda Law Reform Commission, (2009). HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill
(10) Human Rights Watch, (2009). Comments to Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters about the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.
(11) UNAIDS/WHO, “UNAIDS/WHO Policy Statement on HIV Testing,” June 2004,
(12) Uganda Law Reform Commission, (2009). HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.
(13) Human Rights Watch, (2009). Uganda: Bill threatens Progress on HIV/AIDS.
(14) Uganda Law Reform Commission, (2009). HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.
(15) Ibid
(16) Human Rights Watch, (2009). Comments to Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters about the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.
(17) Human Rights Watch, (2009) Uganda: Bill threatens Progress on HIV/AIDS.
(18) Uganda Law Reform Commission, (2009). HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.
(19) Human Rights Watch, (2009). Comments to Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters about the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill.
(20) Human Rights Watch, (2009) Uganda: Bill threatens Progress on HIV/AIDS.
(21) Ibid
(22) Ibid
(23) Ibid
- Zanie le Grange is an External Consultant in the HIV and AIDS Unit at Consultancy Africa Intelligence (hiv.aids@consultancyafrica.com).
The December edition of the HIV and AIDS Newsletter is republished here with permission from Consultancy Africa Intelligence (CAI), a South African-based research and strategy firm with a focus on social, health, political, and economic happenings in Africa. For more information see http://www.consultancyafrica.com or http://www.ngopulse.org/press-release/consultancy-africa-intelligence. Alternatively, visit http://www.consultancyafrica.com/promo2 to take advantage of CAI’s free, no obligation, 3-month trial to the company’s Standard Report Series.
Author(s):Zanie Le Grange
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