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BOTSWANA HIV-positive Mothers Not Convinced to Exclusively Breastfeed By Alma Balopi GABORONE - "An HIV-positive woman must never be encouraged to breastfeed because regardless of what the doctors or researchers say - it is too dangerous for the baby," says Koziba Kelatlhe an HIV-positive mother who was advised by health workers not to breastfeed her child. MORE >>
SOUTH AFRICA ‘Tea Bag’ Filter Provides Safe Drinking Water By Chris Stein JOHANNESBURG - Though it may look like a tea bag, straining water through this recently developed filter could provide a cheap, easily replenished source of water for those who need it most. MORE >>
SOUTH AFRICA Public Health Strained by Nurses' Strike By Chris Stein JOHANNESBURG - Striking health workers have continued their work stoppage despite accusations that it endangers patients' lives. They are part of a nationwide strike by public sector workers that has some observers concerned that rising wage demands could harm South Africa's economy. MORE >>
UGANDA Unfriendly Nurses and Culture Hinder Male Involvement in HIV Prevention By Wambi Michael MBALE, Uganda - Irene Wangolo was advised to undergo an HIV test during her antenatal visit and to return to the clinic with her husband so they could be counselled on preventing HIV transmission to their unborn baby. But her husband refused to accompany her saying it was not his business and Wangolo never returned to the clinic in Bungokho in eastern Uganda. So she missed all the services, including the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). MORE >>
HEALTH-UGANDA Problems with Anti-Counterfeit Bill Persist By Evelyn Matsamura Kiapi KAMPALA - Health rights activists still insist that, despite some improvements to Uganda’s controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Bill, it will affect the availability of generic medicine if enacted in present form. MORE >>
Mobile HIV Test Unit a Hit in Congo By Arsène Séverin BRAZZAVILLE - "I came here out of curiosity, but I ended up taking an AIDS test. I have the results," Gerard, 30 years old, told IPS. He adds, right before leaving: "The results are negative." MORE >>
AGRICULTURE-SOUTH AFRICA 'There Is No Dignity' Kristin Palitza interviews labour and gender expert GRISCHELDA HARTMAN CAPE TOWN - South African farm workers – especially female labourers – continue to be exploited, despite the existence of national labour laws and regulations designed to protect them. But in the absence of information and education about their rights, workers have a hard time claiming them. MORE >>
ZIMBABWE Children Crossing Borders in Search of HIV Treatment By Ignatius Banda PLUMTREE, Zimbabwe - A new type of migration is taking place in Zimbabwe. While in the past people crossed the borders into South Africa and Botswana seeking work and fleeing from their repressive circumstances, now a silent migration of HIV-positive children seeking antiretroviral treatment (ART) is taking place. MORE >>
HEALTH-KENYA Attempts to Modernise Traditional Circumcision Rites By Susan Anyangu-Amu NAIROBI - During every year that ends in an even number, the month of August is a special occasion for young men in Kenya’s Western Province. During this month thousands of boys aged between 10 and 18 undergo male circumcision – something that is seen as an important rite of passage into manhood among their communities. But it is also a time were nearly half the young men circumcised will have to fight for their lives. MORE >>
HEALTH S. Africa Becomes a Victim of its ARV Treatment Success By Kerry Cullinan DURBAN, South Africa - Almost a million South Africans are already on lifelong antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and this number is supposed to triple in the next decade if the South African government keeps to its implementation plan. MORE >>
HEALTH-UGANDA Breastfeeding Dilemma for HIV-positive Mothers By Evelyn Matsamura Kiapi KAMPALA - The new World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation that HIV-positive mothers on antiretroviral therapy (ARVs) can exclusively breastfeed their babies for up to twelve months without infecting them has created confusion among HIV-positive mothers in Uganda as information about the new guidelines struggles to reach them. MORE >>
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AMREF - African Medical and Research Foundation
Africare
AEGIS - Aids Education Global Information System
Global Health Information Network
The African Centre for Health and Population Studies
Health Aids Action Campaign
PlusNews is an HIV/AIDS news service produced by the UN's Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)