Reaching out to gays for the first time

SWAZILAND: No money, no CD4 tests

MBABANE, 23 January 2012 (PlusNews) - Swaziland is still short of lab reagents needed for CD4 count testing, which is used to initiate and monitor patients on antiretroviral treatment, and HIV-positive people are growing increasingly frustrated as the country enters its fourth month without a way to establish the strength of their immune system. full report

SWAZILAND: Failing healthcare system renews HIV activism

MBABANE, 13 December 2011 (PlusNews) - A new wave of HIV activism is rising in Swaziland as people living with HIV take to the streets in protest, many for the first time in their lives, over continued shortages of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. full report

SWAZILAND: Contesting the Global Fund audit

MBABANE, 7 December 2011 (PlusNews) - On the heels of a decision by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria to cancel its next round of funding, the Swazi government is calling on donors to come to the impoverished country's aid. However, there are fears that the result of a recent Global Fund audit may dissuade donors even as HIV organizations contest its findings. full report

HIV/AIDS: Feeling the pinch

JOHANNESBURG/NAIROBI, 1 December 2011 (PlusNews) - Faced with the global economic downturn and less money from donors, national HIV programmes in East and Southern Africa - the region hardest hit by HIV/AIDS - are struggling to stay afloat. IRIN/PlusNews brings you a wrap of countries feeling the biggest pinch. full report

HIV/AIDS: A deadly funding crisis

JOHANNESBURG, 1 December 2011 (PlusNews) - This World AIDS Day on 1 Dec should have been a much more joyous event: the global HIV/AIDS response has turned a significant corner, with record numbers of people on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and fewer new HIV infections. But the announcement by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria, cancelling its next funding round, has cast a shadow over any celebrations and highlighted the precarious nature of HIV/AIDS funding. full report

SWAZILAND: Funding fiasco leaves country short of lab supplies

JOHANNESBURG, 15 November 2011 (PlusNews) - First there were national shortages of HIV medication, then of HIV tests, now Swaziland lacks the lab tests essential for initiating and managing HIV patients on treatment. To make matters worse, the country chose not to apply for the international funding that could have safeguarded antiretroviral (ARV) stocks. full report

SWAZILAND: New aviation rules ground HIV-positive pilots

MBABANE, 25 October 2011 (PlusNews) - Swazi HIV activists are up in arms over pending aviation guidelines that will stop people living with HIV from ever piloting an aircraft. full report

SWAZILAND: Swazis put lives on hold because of stigma

MBABANE, 19 August 2011 (PlusNews) - The widespread fear of stigma and discrimination still leaves many HIV-positive people in Swaziland feeling so despondent they put their lives on hold. Many HIV-positive women have decided not to have children, while some feel marriage is no longer an option, a new survey has found. full report

SWAZILAND: HIV prevalence among factory workers "50 percent"

MATSAPHA, 11 August 2011 (PlusNews) - A new government study has found that more than half of workers in Swaziland’s garment industry are living with HIV, and officials are realizing that the once-hailed promise of manufacturing employment has become a financial and medical nightmare for tens of thousands of Swazi women. full report