DRC: Alarm bells over poor funding for HIV treatment

NAIROBI/KINSHASA, 2 February 2012 (PlusNews) - The lives of thousands of HIV-positive people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are at risk as the country faces declining donor funding and a severe shortage of HIV treatment, according to Médecins Sans Frontières. full report

RWANDA: Aiming towards two million medical male circumcisions

KIGALI, 9 January 2012 (PlusNews) - This will be a busy year for Rwanda's health centres as the country attempts to reach its goal of medically circumcising 50 percent of men by June 2013 as part of HIV prevention efforts. 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

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

RWANDA: Criminalization of sex work hinders HIV prevention efforts

KIGALI, 17 November 2011 (PlusNews) - Sex workers in Rwanda say the criminalization of their activities, combined with their general isolation from society, means they are often excluded from HIV prevention, treatment and care opportunities. full report

RWANDA: Parents, teachers divided over condom initiative

KIGALI, 24 October 2011 (PlusNews) - A proposed initiative to distribute condoms to Rwandan secondary school students has divided parents, teachers and other members of society, with some cheering the plan and others concerned that teens are not mature enough to use condoms responsibly. full report

RWANDA: Plan to treat HIV discordant couples

KIGALI, 12 September 2011 (PlusNews) - HIV-positive Rwandans in discordant relationships will start taking antiretroviral treatment as soon as they test positive as part of a plan to boost national HIV prevention and treatment efforts. full report

BURUNDI: Deaths reported as ARV shortage continues

BUJUMBURA, 5 September 2011 (PlusNews) - Burundian NGOs say at least 20 people have died as a national shortage of antiretroviral continues. full report

BURUNDI: A struggling PMTCT programme

BUJUMBURA, 12 August 2011 (PlusNews) - 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