South Africa takes a critical look at its HIV/AIDS response

"HIV/AIDS is the mirror in South Africa's face," said Dr Mamphela Ramphele, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town. "It forces us to examine the contours of our face as it really is, and not just as we would like it to be."

"HIV/AIDS keeps teachers from their classrooms"

A "blistering" report highlighting the disease burden facing education in South Africa shows that between 10 000 and 23 000 teachers now require treatment for HIV/AIDS to save their lives.

National HIV/AIDS conference warned to scale up efforts

South Africa's response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic still leaves much to be desired, delegates heard on Wednesday at the 2nd South African AIDS Conference in Durban.

Do you know your HIV status?

Do you know your HIV status? Many people are still unable to answer 'yes' to this important question. A pioneering South African programme called 'New Start' sets out to change that.

Business response to HIV/AIDS draws mixed reaction

Delegates at the South African AIDS conference in the port city of Durban heard mixed views from experts on Wednesday as to where business was heading in terms of addressing HIV/AIDS in the workplace.

Impact of HIV/AIDS on women raised at national conference

South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang this week urged the public to focus on diseases other than HIV/AIDS, and reiterated her view that antiretroviral drugs were not the only answer to tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic. However, on Thursday, Prudence Mabela - the first black woman to publicly reveal her HIV status - explained to delegates at the HIV/AIDS conference in the east-coast city of Durban why the disease should continue receiving global attention.

Highlights from the 2nd SA AIDS Conference

South Africa's second national HIV/AIDS conference draws to a close in Durban today. Kerry Cullinan reports on the highlights at the conference which drew a record number of delegates.

Invisible 'condom' for women available soon

Invisible "condoms" for women who cannot make choices about safe sex could be as little as four years away. Huge advances in the field of microbicides - effectively a gel or cream which when inserted into a woman's vagina will protect her from HIV infection - have resulted in five major human trials, the earliest results expected at the beginning of 2007.

2nd SA AIDS conference draws to a close

South Africa's second national AIDS conference ended with a televised speech by former South African president Nelson Mandela, in which he reminded delegates of the great strides the country has made since the last national AIDS conference two years ago.

Communities play a vital role in promoting ARV adherence

The WHO target of providing antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment to three million people living with HIV/AIDS in poor countries by 2005 ('3 by 5') is falling far short of the mark in many places This is especially so in South Africa, where - according to the country's Minister of Health - around 53,000 patients have been enrolled in treatment programmes to date.