The Transitional Working Group (TWG) to establish a new Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, convened for the first time on Thursday and Friday (10/11-12) in Brussels. The TWG agreed on the name of the Fund, conceived as a financial entity for leveraging resources to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria for countries and groups in the greatest need. The Fund will support programs for strengthening health systems and country-level partnerships involving governments, the private sector, and civil society. In addition, the Fund will support the purchase of critical health products, such as bed-nets, condoms, antiretroviral drugs, anti-TB and anti-malarial drugs, on the basis of an independent review of local realities.
Equity in Health
Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
First Meeting of the Transitional Working Group
Further details: /newsletter/id/28922
Contact: melanie.zipperer@tss-twg.be
Mayson Castigates Church Leaders' 'Disgusting Ploy'
The head of the African National Congress's religious desk, Cedric Mayson, has attacked other South African church leaders for using the HIV/Aids epidemic to make "political attacks" on President Thabo Mbeki, describing them as "a disgusting ploy".
NGOs debate Global Health Fund
On the 4th October 2001, more than 30 participants gathered at the Healthlink Worldwide offices in London to discuss and debate plans to establish a ‘Global Health Fund’. The event was jointly organised by the Health and Development Forum and British Overseas NGOs in Development [BOND]. Participants came from a wide range of organisations including British and international NGOs, academic institutions, the World Health Organisation and concerned individuals. The intention of the meeting was to update participants on developments concerning the establishment of the Fund, share views on this and identify key views and issues which could be fed into the consultation process.
South Africa: Aids is Number One Killer Says Report
A disputed new report on mortality rates in South Africa, released on Tuesday, said Aids was the biggest killer in the country, and predicted that it would account for the death of between 5 and 7 million people by 2010.
South Africa: Fiscal Review Reveals Impact of HIV/AIDS
The review of provincial and local government finances released this week by South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, revealed the impact of HIV/AIDS on service delivery, budget forecasts and personnel planning throughout government, saying the affects of the pandemic were becoming visible.
South Africa: Presidential Advisor Rejects MRC HIV/Aids Report
Professor Sam Mhlongo, a member of the Presidential Aids Advisory Council, has said the The Medical Research Council (MRC) report on HIV/Aids and adult mortality in South Africa, is "unacceptable" because it does not define what Aids is. Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala Msimang said the report was a "work in progress".
South Africa: Steps in the Right Direction
The war on Aids takes a new turn with local filmmakers involving themselves in the largest HIV-awareness television series to date, writes Jann Turner.
SWAZILAND: Teenage girls angered over five year sex ban
Teenaged girls in Swaziland reacted with anger at the five-year ban on their sex lives this week, complaining that their boyfriends "won't wait". The ban was introduced two weeks ago as a measure to curb spread of HIV/AIDS in the kingdom.
Further details: /newsletter/id/28881
Tanzania: MPs move forward to fight AIDS
More than 80 members of parliament have formed a movement, The Tanzania Parliamentarians Aids Coalition (TAPAC), intended to battle the HIV/AIDS scourge. The movement, formed in the last parliament session, will be launched by President Benjamin Mkapa in Dodoma in November.
UNAIDS and IOM address the vulnerability of mobile populations
UNAIDS' Intercountry Team for Eastern and Southern Africa (UNAIDS ICTESA) and the International Organisation for Migration -Regional Office for Southern Africa (IOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration to address the vulnerability of migrant populations, and improve their access to HIV/AIDS prevention and care.