Rape suspects face HIV/AIDS tests

Rape survivors will be able to demand that their suspected rapists be tested for HIV/AIDS, in terms of a law approved by the cabinet.

Family focus is hallmark of new South African grant

A new $21.3 million research grant focused on fighting HIV/AIDS in the family setting "demonstrates the high quality of biomedical research being done in South Africa and the United States" commitment to partnership in the struggle to prevent HIV transmission and to expand the availability of effective AIDS treatment in South Africa," said United States Ambassador Cameron R. Hume at a ceremony today marking the announcement of the U.S. National Institutes of Health's award to the Perinatal HIV Research Unit of the WITS Health Consortium.

HIVAN/WCRP Religious Leaders and HIV/AIDS Researchers Seminar

The Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN), in collaboration with The World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), will be holding a seminar focusing on Religious Leaders and HIV/AIDS Research in Durban on Tuesday, 29 October 2002.

Anti-HIV/AIDS drugs now on sale in Mozambique

People living with HIV/AIDS in Mozambique will now be able to purchase anti-HIV/AIDS drugs after four types of antiretrovirals went on sale in the private sector last week.

TAC€“UND Forum

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) recently opened a branch at the Durban campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The TAC€“UND Forum, held on 24 October 2002, aimed to inform students and staff of TAC€™s objectives, history and activities.

Government pledges billions for HIV/AIDS battle

Government spending to counter the HIV/AIDS pandemic is due to be stepped up by a massive R3,3-billion over the next three years.

Stigma driving epidemic underground

Lesotho has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Southern Africa, yet stigma and discrimination have driven the epidemic underground.

SCIENCE AND SPIRIT: Uniting in the struggle against HIV/AIDS

The first of a series of seminars convened to forge firm links between KwaZulu-Natal's religious leaders and HIV/AIDS medical researchers in response to the epidemic was held at Durban's Jewish Club this week. Co-hosted by HIVAN (Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking) from Natal University and the Interfaith AIDS Forum of the World Council of Religion and Peace (WCRP), the seminar focused discussion on the ethics of AIDS vaccine trials and prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV.

South Africa's World AIDS Day 2002 Campaign kicks off

The Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, was today the first South African to give a donation as part of this year's World AIDS Day campaign. South Africa's theme for World AIDS Day 2002 is "I care enough to help, do you?", and the main idea behind it builds on last year's theme: "I care enough to act" - aiming to ensure that the care and support elements in society are highlighted and broadened to include as wide a stakeholder contribution as possible.

Mother-to-child campaign breaks the silence

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS has become the flagship programme in the Western Cape's anti-HIV/AIDS initiative, leading the way not only for South Africa but also for the continent.