Health & Nutrition

RV144 vaccine trial - what happens next?

BANGKOK, 14 September 2011 (PlusNews Global) - Scientists could not explain how two infection-fighting proteins in humans affected the rate of HIV infection in participants of the vaccine trial in Thailand known as RV144 – until now. full report

ZAMBIA: Low STI testing puts HIV-positive pregnant women at risk

LUSAKA, 1 September 2011 (PlusNews Global) - While most pregnant women in Zambia are now tested for HIV, other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis are not being diagnosed, placing the lives of thousands of women at risk. full report

SOUTH AFRICA: Policy turnaround on breastfeeding

PRETORIA, 26 August 2011 (PlusNews Global) - South Africa’s high child mortality rates have forced the government to rethink its policy on infant feeding and move to discontinue the free provision of formula milk at hospitals and clinics, as well as promote an exclusive breastfeeding strategy for all mothers, including those living with HIV. full report

ETHIOPIA: Food for body and soul

ADDIS ABABA, 18 August 2011 (PlusNews Global) - Three years ago, Munit* was hungry, lonely and HIV-positive; her husband refused to be tested and she felt burdened by her secret status, unable to share her daily struggles with friends and family. full report

SOUTH AFRICA: Shortage of drug-resistant TB treatment looms

JOHANNESBURG, 16 August 2011 (PlusNews Global) - While countries are rolling out new tests that will enable them to diagnose more patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), a worldwide shortage of the drugs to treat these patients is likely, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns. full report

BURUNDI: A struggling PMTCT programme

BUJUMBURA, 12 August 2011 (PlusNews Global) - A shortage of health facilities and health workers, frequent drug shortages and a weak government policy mean HIV-positive pregnant women in Burundi often give birth without taking any precautions to prevent transmission of the virus to their children. full report

Analysis: Understanding the drivers of homophobia in Ghana

DAKAR, 1 August 2011 (PlusNews Global) - Recent condemnation of homosexuality by religious and political leaders in Ghana has led to a climate of fear preventing men who have sex with men (MSM) from accessing vital health services, say local NGOs. full report

HORN OF AFRICA: Drought and HIV - a dangerous combination

NAIROBI, 28 July 2011 (PlusNews Global) - More than 11.6 million people are facing starvation in the Horn of Africa, and as aid agencies struggle to feed them, experts are warning that a lack of food could have wider consequences, including jeopardizing the health of people on HIV treatment. full report

SWAZILAND: Desperate HIV-positive people eat cow dung to sustain treatment

MBABANE, 28 July 2011 (PlusNews Global) - Organizations fighting HIV/AIDS in Swaziland were at first incredulous at reports that hundreds of impoverished HIV-positive rural residents were eating cow dung to give their stomachs something to digest before taking their antiretrovirals. full report

SOUTH AFRICA: Prisons expand HIV services

JOHANNESBURG, 26 July 2011 (PlusNews Global) - Obtaining HIV treatment in jail is becoming easier as about 9 percent of South African prisons now offer antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in-house. full report
Countries
Photo
Mary Muntari walks to a stream to collect water in Kachia, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Socialize

Other OCHA Sites
ReliefWeb
United Nations - OCHA
Donors
Canada
DFID - UK Department for International Development
Germany
Irish Aid
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
UAE
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation - SDC
UNEP
IHC