GLOBAL: IRIN/PlusNews Weekly Issue 473, 19 February 2010
NAIROBI, 19 February 2010 (PlusNews) - CONTENTS:
KENYA: Condom conundrum puts prisoners at risk
RWANDA: Condom awareness campaign intensifies
SOUTH AFRICA: New treatment guidelines announced
RWANDA: New HIV awareness drive targets prisoners
ZAMBIA: Cervical cancer screening saves lives
EVENTS/RESOURCES
1. International Microbicides Conference, 22-25 May - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2. Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) Framework - The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
VACANCIES
1. Head of HIV, Christian Aid - London, UK
2. Laboratory Specialist, HIV and AIDS, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) - Abuja, Nigeria
KENYA: Condom conundrum puts prisoners at risk
The Kenya Prisons Service has won praise for its HIV programmes, including education, testing and the provision of anti-retroviral drugs to prisoners, but specialists say unless the issue of unprotected sex is addressed, HIV transmission will continue unchecked.
full report
RWANDA: Condom awareness campaign intensifies
Doreen Uwimana, in her early 20s, carries condoms in her bag even when she goes to classes at a college in an upmarket suburb of the Rwandan capital, Kigali.
full report
SOUTH AFRICA: New treatment guidelines announced
New national treatment guidelines are set to make the world's largest antiretroviral (ARV) programme even bigger as South Africa extends treatment to more HIV-positive infants, pregnant women and people battling HIV-tuberculosis (TB) co-infection.
full report
RWANDA: New HIV awareness drive targets prisoners
Rwandan health authorities have embarked on a campaign to sensitize the country's prisoners - considered high risk for HIV – on how to protect themselves from contracting and transmitting the virus.
full report
ZAMBIA: Cervical cancer screening saves lives
Cervical cancer is a leading killer among women living with HIV, but a low-cost screening programme developed in Zambia is proving that simple techniques can go a long way in saving lives.
full report
EVENTS/RESOURCES
1. International Microbicides Conference, 22-25 May - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The theme of this year's conference is "Microbicides: Building Bridges in HIV Prevention". The conference aims to increase collaboration between basic, clinical and behavioural scientists and bridge emerging research with community partners and advocacy groups involved in HIV prevention.
For more information, visit: www.microbicides2010.org
2. Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) Framework - The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
The CSS framework has been developed to support the CSS component of Global Fund grants, but is applicable to all community based activities aimed at improving health though community based action.
By feeding back on the draft framework, you will help further develop what will become a key document which can help civil society actors articulate and scale up their activities, and access Global Fund funding; equip governments to better understand the vital roles of community actors particularly when building stronger health systems and enable the Global Fund to make informed decisions about awarding grants to proposals strong in CSS.
Join the online focused discussion that will open a space for dialogue on the framework at: [email protected]
VACANCIES
1. Head of HIV, Christian Aid - London, UK
Responsibilities:
- Build the capacity of Christian Aid's HIV programme, enabling it to expand into other 'poverty-related' diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria;
- Shape programme strategy;
- Equip staff to implement initiatives on the ground;
- Engage donors will be more with Christian Aid's work and keep policy makers informed.
Qualifications:
- A substantial understanding of HIV and other 'poverty-related' diseases;
- The ability to engage with a huge range of people;
- Experience of working with community-based organizations responding to HIV and diseases such TB and malaria;
- Experience of working with a range of donors;
- Background as a medical professional or significant public health sector experience;
- Credible and persuasive communicator with the ability to bring out the best in all kinds of people.
Application deadline: 1 March 2010
To apply, please download an application pack at: www.christianaid.org.uk/jobs
2. Laboratory Specialist, HIV and AIDS, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) - Abuja, Nigeria
Responsibilities:
- Training staff on the use of PCR machines (testing polymerase chain reaction) in DNA;
- Training staff on the use of health information systems;
- Carrying out HIV and AIDS testing, CD4 count, rapid testing and viral loading in the local communities;
- Providing technical advice on how to improve the laboratory service of the organization.
Qualifications:
- Degree level or above in laboratory science, microbiology, biochemistry or related field;
- At least 3 years' experience working in NGOs, development agencies, hospitals, community-based organizations or charities;
- Experience of clinical research within the field of HIV and AIDS and troubleshooting laboratory and clinical equipment would be an advantage.
Application deadline: 19 March 2010
For more information, visit: www.vsointernational.org
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