Launch of the National HCT Campaign – New Date to Be Announced Soon – President Zuma to be Present
Press Release
9 April 2010
Joint Press Statement from the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)
Press Release
9 April 2010
Joint Press Statement from the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)
‘Gender Dimensions of Intellectual Property and Traditional Medical Knowledge’ examines the discussion on intellectual property (IP) rights for traditional knowledge in medicine from a gender perspective. Published by the United Nations Development Programme, the paper argues that a gender analysis of these issues adds to the understanding of how trade decisions can have important and unintended impacts on the lives of disempowered people. It concludes that that a rights-based approach would create more space to mainstream gender concerns in IP policy.
Wednesday 3 March, 2010 - 13:09
HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria continue to be the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region remains home to 62 percent of global HIV infections and 72 percent of global AIDS mortality - mainly amongst women and children. It is estimated that there are 33.4 million people living with HIV. Most of them continue to face illness and death if they are unable to access treatment.
Press Release
South Africa’s first Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS’ (UNAIDS) Goodwill Ambassador has called on organisations involved in the fight against the pandemic to join hands to increase the impact of the work being done to reduce new infections. Professor Perry was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador by the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Mr. Michel Sidibe, at the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management’s fifth annual World AIDS Day gala concert last year.
Friday 19 February, 2010 - 7:45
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.
Thursday 18 February, 2010 - 13:09
Tobacco taxes – increase not enough
Same old, same old, policy. Another opportunity to promote public health and raise government revenues squandered.
Predictably, the tax on cigarettes increased by a meagre R1,24 per pack in today’s budget. In his first Budget, the Finance Minister has obdurately stuck to a policy which keeps tobacco taxes low and so favours the tobacco companies at the expense of public health and government revenues.
Monday 15 February, 2010 - 15:05
OUT LGBT Well-being, a gay health rights organisation, has initiated a campaign ‘Know your status Day’, which it hopes will effectively respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Prism HIV and STI nurse at OUT LGBT Well-being’s Elmie Munday points out that the aim of ‘Know Your Status Day’ is to increase the need for people to go for regular HIV testing.
Wednesday 3 February, 2010 - 9:48
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.
Monday 7 December, 2009 - 11:28
Scientists are calling for the speedy inclusion of male circumcision in the comprehensive HIV prevention package. This despite questions raised about human rights and the confusing message it might send to people.
Studies have shown that male circumcision reduces the risk of contracting HIV in heterosexual men by more than 50 percent if done correctly. Work is being done on the policy to include circumcision in the HIV National Strategic Plan (NSP), but there are ethical issues around it.
Monday 7 December, 2009 - 11:17
The feisty red-head and dedicated HIV and AIDS activist, Gail Johnson, marked World AIDS Day with the launch of a new HIV/AIDS haven.
Johnson says that, “When purchasing this village, the board of directors were adamant that we create a new lifestyle community where our residents will benefit from complete holistic care and contribute to the sustainability of the project.”
She says mothers require capacity-building in order for them to be reintegrated into society.