GLOBAL: IRIN/PlusNews Weekly Issue 474, 26 February 2010
JOHANNESBURG, 26 February 2010 (PlusNews) - CONTENTS:
KENYA: "Flash blood" puts drug users at risk of HIV
SOUTH AFRICA: New research fuels "test and treat" debate
TANZANIA: Pensioners step in to plug medical gaps
RWANDA: New HIV awareness drive targets prisoners
ZIMBABWE: "Small House, Big House" showing soon on TV
RWANDA: Nurses to help speed up ART rollout
EVENTS/RESOURCES
1. Stigma Dinner Drive, AIDS Consortium, 25 March - Johannesburg, South Africa
2. Policy Brief on Livelihoods-based Social Protection in East and Southern Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
VACANCIES
1. Data Collection Supervisor, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT). Medical Research Council - South Africa
2. Volunteer, HIV/AIDS care and treatment, Clinton Foundation - Swaziland
KENYA: "Flash blood" puts drug users at risk of HIV
Amina* and Rajab*, in their mid-twenties, spend most of their days getting high on heroin; when broke, Amina injects herself with Rajab's blood as soon as he has mainlined his heroin, for a second-hand hit.
full report
SOUTH AFRICA: New research fuels "test and treat" debate
New research could bolster arguments for a controversial approach that could eradicate HIV transmission in South Africa within five years, said Dr Brian Williams of the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA).
full report
TANZANIA: Pensioners step in to plug medical gaps
Elias Sempindo, 72, thought he would spend his twilight years doting on his grandchildren; instead, the retired medical officer is back treating patients at a clinic in Morogoro, 190km west of Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
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
ZIMBABWE: "Small House, Big House" showing soon on TV
A new Zimbabwean short film on multiple concurrent sexual partnerships (MCPs) runs for just 24 minutes, but the producers are hoping that its message will last much longer.
full report
RWANDA: Nurses to help speed up ART rollout
Rwandan nurses will soon be authorized to start HIV-positive patients on life-prolonging antiretroviral treatment (ART), a move Ministry of Health officials say will speed up the rollout of ART in the East African nation.
full report
EVENTS/RESOURCES
1. Stigma Dinner Drive, AIDS Consortium, 25 March - Johannesburg, South Africa
The gala dinner event includes discussions, dancing and an auction to raise funds as well as educate the business community about HIV and stigma in the workplace. Featured speakers will present on topics such as the image of HIV-positive people in the workplace, perspectives from HIV-positive executives and discordant couples.
For more information, go to www.aidsconsortium.org.za
2. Policy Brief on Livelihoods-based Social Protection in East and Southern Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
This brief examines the relatively new concept of livelihood-based social protection for orphaned and vulnerable children, as well as the concept's growth within the region. The paper identifies gaps in policy and implementation with respect to this longer-term type of protection before charting the way forward with a series of policy recommendations at the national and regional level.
To download the brief, go to: http://zunia.org/
VACANCIES
1. Data Collection Supervisor, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT). Medical Research Council - South Africa
Responsibilities:
- Ensure operating and informed consent procedures are followed
- Manage the data collection team, providing mentorship, support and supervision
- Ensure the collection of quality data
- Conduct weekly meetings with fieldworkers and collect blood samples from sites for transportation to central laboratories
- Liaise with the central coordinator on a weekly basis
Qualifications:
- University degree or qualification in nursing, public health, or maternal and child health
- Experience in HIV-related research in a management capacity
- Working experience in maternal, neonatal or child health care, gained within a provincial or district health department
- Willingness to travel within the province
- Valid South African driver's license
Application deadline: 28 February 2010
Forward your application, including your CV, two recommendations from current or former employers as well as a cover letter stating your area of residence to [email protected]. Please quote the vacancy reference number R96 in all communications.
2. Volunteer, HIV/AIDS care and treatment, Clinton Foundation - Swaziland
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate and carry-out day-to-day operations for select projects
- Maintain relationships with stakeholders including the Ministry of Health
- Monitor and communicate progress on project activities as outlined in annual work plan
- Provide programmatic support as needed across team's projects as defined by the country manager
Qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree required, masters degree is a plus
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience in programme management
- Experience working/living in a developing country strongly preferred
- Programme management experience
- Ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines and in high-pressure situations
- Ability to work independently, flexibly, and responsively, with a strong commitment to excellence
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Applications close: 24 May 2010
Please note, volunteers must be self-funded. To apply, visit http://careers-clintonfoundation.icims.com/
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