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.
Equity in Health
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.
US IN TALKS ON ANTHRAX PATENT MEDICINES
The US government admitted yesterday that it had held discussions with a German drugs company about overriding the patent on its anthrax drug, Cipro, in a move that could throw wide open the
debate about the cost of medicines in poor countries. The administration has also contacted an Indian generic drugs manufacturer to see if it can produce a large supply of the anthrax antibiotic in wake of the growing panic about bioterrorism in the US.
Further details: /newsletter/id/28925
AFRICA: Global AIDS Fund to start disbursing money by late 2001
The Global AIDS and Health Fund - an initiative of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, would become operational by the end of this year, a UN statement said on Wednesday. The fund would be responsible for mobilising and managing funds in the battle against HIV/AIDS, the UN said.
Further details: /newsletter/id/28875
And So The Babies Die
The Transkei's infant mortality rate speaks volumes about the poverty of the people and their services.