The Congress of South African Trade Unions welcomes the Court judgement in favour of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). It is a victory for all mothers who are HIV positive, to whom the court has ordered the government to extend the provision of anti-retroviral drugs to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of the virus. The government must now comply with the judgement and make the drugs available to all those mothers who need them, as quickly as possible.
Equity in Health
AIDS and human security
Statement by Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director
There is a world of difference between the root causes of terrorism and the impact of AIDS on security. But at some deep level, we should be reminded that in many parts of the world, AIDS has caused a normal way of life to be called into question. As a global issue, therefore, we must pay attention to AIDS as a threat to human security, and redouble our efforts against the epidemic and its impact.
Anthrax Scare Hits Cape Town
The global anthrax scare has hit Cape Town in several separate events which included threatening letters coated in white powder, and suspicious white powder in a rubbish bin at a local police station. Provincial MEC for community safety Hennie Bester said the events were most likely hoaxes intended to sow panic among civilians.
COMMONWEALTH AWARDS FOR ACTION ON HIV/AIDS
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
President Museveni of Uganda is one of the twelve winners of the Commonwealth Awards for Action on HIV/AIDS. His award was announced by Dr Neal Blewett, the former Australian Minister for Health, at an awards ceremony held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in Australia on 4 October.
Further details: /newsletter/id/28923
CONTENT OF 2002 'SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE' INFLUENZA VACCINE DECIDED
The recommendation for the composition of the vaccine for the 2002 Southern Hemisphere influenza season has been decided and communicated to vaccine manufacturers by the World Health Organization (WHO), following agreement by international experts at a WHO meeting held in Cannes, France.
Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
First Meeting of the Transitional Working Group
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.
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.