Southern Africa

Mozambique’s first HIV vaccine trial heralds new era in local research

MAPUTO, 15 March 2013 (PlusNews) - Mozambique has completed its first HIV vaccine trial and is set to embark on a second, a demonstration of the country’s increased HIV research capacity. full report

Third-line ARVs could widen treatment gap in Zimbabwe

HARARE, 12 March 2013 (PlusNews) - HIV/AIDS activists in Zimbabwe have welcomed the government’s move to address the problem of HIV drug resistance by introducing third-line antiretroviral drug (ARVs). But it remains unclear how the cash-strapped government will finance this, as procuring the drugs will invariably be expensive and could divert resources away from other HIV treatment efforts. full report

Cervical cancer a major threat to HIV-positive women

HARARE, 8 February 2013 (PlusNews) - HIV-positive women are living longer, but are now dying of cervical cancer. In Zimbabwe, cervical cancer is now the most common cancer among women, particularly those living with HIV. Activists are urging the government to step up efforts to prevent deaths related to the disease, accusing it of paying lip service to the problem. full report

Still struggling with drug shortages

HARARE, 11 January 2013 (PlusNews) - Chronic shortages of generic and antiretroviral drugs, stock-outs, high medication costs, and long distances to clinics are some of the hurdles people face in their quest to access essential medicines in Zimbabwe. full report

SOUTH AFRICA: New ARV tender drops prices, changes treatment

JOHANNESBURG, 30 November 2012 (PlusNews) - The South African government has negotiated savings of about US$250 million in its latest antiretroviral (ARV) tender, which is the first to include a three-in-one tablet. This triple fixed-dose combination ARV will now allow the country to move to new, simpler HIV treatment and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) guidelines in April 2013. full report

SOUTH AFRICA: Treatment programme by numbers

JOHANNESBURG, 30 November 2012 (PlusNews) - South Africa has recently made huge strides in HIV treatment, scaling-up the number of people on antiretroviral (ARV) drugs while also improving its national treatment guidelines. full report

HIV/AIDS: Despite progress, HIV efforts fall short

JOHANNESBURG, 20 November 2012 (PlusNews) - Record progress in reducing the number of new HIV infections and lowering the numbers of people dying from AIDS-related causes indicate that the end of AIDS is "entirely feasible". But the epidemic is not over in any part of the world, and is gaining pace in some. full report

HEALTH: TB response failing children

JOHANNESBURG, 16 November 2012 (PlusNews) - The global fight against tuberculosis (TB) has failed children: most TB programmes under-diagnose, under-treat or completely leave children with TB out, despite the increase in paediatric TB, and rising numbers of children who are infected with drug-resistant forms of TB strains, according to new research. full report

SWAZILAND: HIV stigma still a barrier

MBABANE, 12 November 2012 (PlusNews) - Stigma against HIV-positive people is hobbling national efforts to encourage testing, and to get more people to access antiretrovirals (ARVs), according to findings from a stigma index compiled by Swazis living with HIV. full report

Easy patents cost patients*

JOHANNESBURG, 5 November 2012 (PlusNews) - South Africa grants almost every patent application it receives, making its patent regime one of the world’s most lenient. While pharmaceutical companies cash in, patients face staggering healthcare costs, and medicines like cancer treatments, third-line antiretrovirals (ARVs) and treatments for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) are often priced out of reach. full report
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