Food shortages could increase HIV/AIDS deaths

The severe food shortages experienced by many southern African countries and the resultant poor nutrition could contribute to a rise in HIV/AIDS-related deaths in the region, aid organisations said on Wednesday.

Clinton slams 'tragedy' of AIDS drug inertia

Former US President Bill Clinton has made a stong plea for developing countries to use the opportunities presented by the historic court victory on the manufacture of generic medicines last April when the major pharmaceutical companies withdrew their action against the South African government.

Nevirapine registered for use in 50 countries

The AIDS drug Nevirapine is registered in more than 50 countries around the world for preventing maternal transmission of HIV, the Sunday Independent has reported.

African biodiversity and indigenous knowledge

Indigenous knowledge and biodiversity are the most important - and often the only - assets in many poor, rural societies, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) said in a recent statement. But HIV/AIDS threatens even this fragile legacy, blocking the transmission of traditional agricultural knowledge and practices to children and eroding the basis of food security.

Microbicides offer alternative protection

Microbicides could give women an alternative way of protecting themselves against HIV/AIDS as prevention messages urging women to use condoms or remain monogamous were unrealistic, campaigners say.

Free ARV drugs for HIV+pregnant women

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Lionel Mtshali, announced today [22 January 2002] that State hospitals in KZN would provide the antiretroviral drug Nevirapine to HIV-positive pregnant women free of charge. KwaZulu-Natal is the second province in South Africa to offer the drug at no cost via provincial hospitals, the Western Cape being the first. Speaking on SAfm's morning current affairs programme, "AM-Live", Premier Mtshali told John Perlman:

Focus on ARVT for rape survivors

The Sunninghill Rape Crisis Clinic in Johannesburg is one of a few institutions in the country that provides antiretrovirals to women who have been raped. It has been doing so since 1998.

Angola's 'alarming' HIV/AIDS data

The Angolan Ministry of Health has released "new and alarming data" suggesting a sharp rise in the HIV-positive rate among women attending selected ante-natal clinics, UNICEF said in its latest situation report.

Oral history in times of HIV/AIDS

In South Africa, as elsewhere on the African continent, the number of children affected by AIDS (not to mention those who are HIV-positive) is increasing at a rapid pace. These children need financial assistance. But they also need emotional support.

TAC welcomes Cabinet Statement on HIV/AIDS

"Government calls on all South Africans to join hands in a campaign of hope: to mobilise our strength as a nation and as individuals to ensure that we are able to manage, reduce and, in the long-run, defeat this epidemic. We have it in our power to achieve this objective. What is