Minister announces better deals for rural doctors

While Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang made in clear in her R8,38-billion Budget speech today (13 May) that the decision to provide anti-retroviral drugs in the public sector rested with Cabinet, her speech contained other good news.

One third of early deaths due to HIV/AIDS - MRC study

About 39 percent of premature deaths in South Africa in 2000 were a result of HIV or AIDS. This is according to the Medical Research Council, which has released its initial estimates from the first Burden Of Disease (BOD) study undertaken in this country.

Cotlands / Chris Hani Baragwanath HIV/AIDS counselling initiative

The Cotlands/Chris Hani Baragwanath HIV/AIDS Counselling Project, sponsored by the Nedcor Foundation, is believed to be the first of its kind worldwide, and is expected to become a showcase to the rest of the world by providing a successful model of counselling services to HIV-positive children and their parents/primary care givers - and especially to those who have children in the last stages of the disease.

Budget vote speech by Minister of Social Development

This budget vote speech is presented against the backdrop of critical international resolutions adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, hosted by us last year in Johannesburg. These resolutions added fresh impetus to our collective commitments to, amongst others, half the world's poor by 2015.

Counsellors give hope to HIV/AIDS patients

On her first day as a counsellor, Tshidi Liphapang, 32, had a long conversation with a woman who did not want to believe that she and her baby were going to die from AIDS.

Wits University launches HIV/AIDS virtual research institute

The growing need for a wider African research response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic has led to the creation of a "virtual institute" at one of South Africa's leading universities.

HIV treatment cheaper than none, business told

Zackie Achmat says that for about a month each year, he and his body work at between 20 and 40% of full capacity.

Lack of state HIV/AIDS treatment plan could lead to welfare deluge

The government's failure to implement an HIV/AIDS treatment plan could result in an explosion of applications for disability grants by AIDS patients, the Financial and Fiscal Commission has warned.

Yfm DJ reveals his HIV positive status on radio

For four hours every Sunday morning, Yfm DJ Khabzela preached safe sex. Now he is asking for support after disclosing that he is HIV-positive. Khabzela, whose real name is Fana Khaba, made the announcement on the radio station at 6am on Friday.

HIV/AIDS vaccine trials underway in Botswana

The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) has launched an international clinical trial which will test a HIV vaccine candidate for humans in Botswana.