IRIN HIV/AIDS Weekly - 83
Africa
14 June 2002


NEWS:

SOUTH AFRICA: Government in Global AIDS Fund grant dispute
SOUTH AFRICA: HIV prevalence level stabilised - government
AFRICA: Hunger and HIV/AIDS dual tragedy - UNAIDS
AFRICA: Religious leaders meet to discuss action on HIV/AIDS
NIGERIA: Investigations disprove HIV/AIDS cure claims
ZAMBIA: Pregnant women to receive nevirapine

LINKS:

1. AIDSChannel email digest
2. AIDSMAP
3. AMANITARE
4. UNAIDS Partnership Menu

CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH:

1. Youth Visibility Activities at AIDS 2002
2. Grants Programme for research on HIV/AIDS
3. HIV/AIDS Film launch
4. HIV/AIDS and International Partnership survey
5. Web discussion forum on HIV/AIDS programming

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Regional Health Advisor, Save the Children
2. Technical Advisor, UNFPA

SOUTH AFRICA: Government in Global AIDS Fund grant dispute

The South African government is allegedly trying to block a grant awarded
by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to the
KwaZulu-Natal province, saying that the province should not have
approached the fund directly.

With a 36 percent HIV prevalence rate, KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa's
worst affected province, but government is reported to have said it was
unfair for the province to have secured so much when other provinces lack
the capacity to submit bids.

The Global Fund in April approved a US $72 million grant to the province,
which would allow for a range of care-oriented services for people living
with HIV/AIDS. But the award was highly unusual, as the Fund's guidelines
say that priority would be given to country coordinating mechanisms (CCM),
designated by national governments.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=1340

HIV prevalence level stabilised - government

The number of HIV infections in South Africa appears to have stabilised,
according to the results of an annual survey announced by the government
on Monday.

Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said: "Although we see a
slight increase, statistically this increase is not significant, and we
can confidently say the prevalence rate has stabilised. It is encouraging
to see that HIV prevalence among teenagers has dropped for the third
consecutive year".

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=1335

On Friday, AIDS lobby group, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) welcomed
the survey findings but warned that despite these promising signs, no
comfort could be drawn from the results as the national HIV infection was
still rising.

"TAC believes the survey results call for an urgent national and
provincial assessment of HIV prevention programmes - and discussion about
how to improve them. A large amount of money is being poured into
prevention by the public and private sectors, and much more money is being
promised, with relatively limited results," the group said in a statement.

TAC also urged the government to work with independent academics and
researchers to identify additional HIV sentinel survey sites that included
men, as well as sites that established a race and class balance in
epidemiological surveillance.

The survey once again confirmed the need for a comprehensive national
treatment plan, and the provision of antiretroviral drugs to reduce the
burden of HIV-associated diseases on the health system, the group added.

AFRICA: Hunger and HIV/AIDS dual tragedy - UNAIDS

HIV/AIDS and hunger were a "dual tragedy" threatening sub-Saharan Africa,
and endangering the lives of millions. They were also hindering
development, UNAIDS told the World Food Summit in Rome on Wednesday.

"Where the lack of food is greatest, HIV prevalence is alarmingly high,"
Marika Fahlen, head of social mobilisation at UNAIDS, said.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=1337

AFRICA: Religious leaders meet to discuss action on HIV/AIDS

Religious organisations are "better placed" to change the prevailing
negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS which have undermined efforts to
contain the pandemic in many African societies, Carol Bellamy, head of the
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), said when addressing 120 African
religious leaders meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=1336

NIGERIA: Investigations disprove HIV/AIDS cure claims

A two-year claim of an HIV/AIDS cure by 12 Nigerians has been disproved by
a National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD)
investigation, officials said on Wednesday.

The House of Representatives Committee on Health ordered the investigation
in 2000 after controversy was generated by claims, by both orthodox and
unorthodox medical practitioners, of an HIV/AIDS cure. Trials were
subsequently conducted on 120 HIV/AIDS patients in nine centres across
Nigeria.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=1339

ZAMBIA: Pregnant women to receive nevirapine

Antiretroviral drug nevirapine will be soon be distributed to about 800
HIV positive pregnant women in the northern Zambian town of Ndola in a bid
to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, news reports said.

The antiretroviral drug will be provided under a scheme known as 'Linkages
Ndola Project' funded by the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID).

Local newspaper reports quoted the project coordinator, Jean Tshiula, as
saying that the pilot scheme officially kicks off next week. Tshiula said
his organisation has trained 63 healthcare providers, including nurses,
pharmacists, midwives and clinical officers who will administer the drug
during the first year.


LINKS:

1. AIDSChannel email digest - this weekly email newsletter from
AIDSChannel.org features: the latest HIV/AIDS news; campaigns and alerts;
debate, analysis and comment from experts and campaigners; news of
resources to help tackle HIV/AIDS.
http://www.aidschannel.org/email_digest/

2. Aidsmap-provides resources on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
http://www.aidsmap.com

3.  AMANITARE - the African Partnership for Sexual and Reproductive Health
and Rights of Women and Girls - was launched in Uganda in 2000.
AMANITARE's goal is to build an influential social movement to
institutionalise the recognition of African women's and girls' sexual and
reproductive health rights as fundamental to their civil and human rights.
http://www.amanitare.org

4. UNAIDS Partnership Menu - the Partnership menu is a new tool to help
the private sector find innovative HIV/AIDS partnership opportunities in
developing countries.

Created jointly by UNAIDS and the World Economic Forum, the menus provide
potential donors with a list of HIV/AIDS projects they can sponsor at the
country level, ranging from youth-friendly health services, to home-based
care programmes, to education for orphans.

Partnership menus for Brazil, India, Namibia, Ukraine and Zambia can be
downloaded at:
http://www.unaids.org/partnership/index.html


CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH:

1. Barcelona YouthForce:  Youth Visibility Activities at the 14th
International AIDS Conference, Barcelona, Spain 7-12 July 2002

The Barcelona YouthForce is an international network of youth activists
from both the developing and developed world attending the 2002
International AIDS Conference. The goals of the Barcelona YouthForce are
to raise the visibility of youth participants, youth voices and youth
issues at the conference, and to encourage HIV organisations to make
commitments to involving more youth at future events and working more
closely with youth to ensure their partnership in the design,
implementation and evaluation of programmes and policies.

Activities of the Barcelona YouthForce will include:

- Visibility Campaign - More Youth Voices, Fewer HIV Infections

The partners will sponsor a visibility campaign, raising awareness
regarding the lack of youth participation in the field of HIV/AIDS
prevention and care. As part of the visibility campaign, the Barcelona
YouthForce will hold a press conference and put out daily press releases
about Barcelona YouthForce activities.

- Satellite Meeting: Cutting Edge Issues in Youth and HIV in Developing
Countries Wednesday, 10 July, 6-8 pm, Hall 2:3

This interactive satellite meeting will provide conference participants
with an update of state of the art youth-specific HIV/AIDS interventions
in developing countries, including effective youth networking and advocacy
strategies and youth-friendly VCT services.  Both youth and adult experts
will speak on best practices, as well as open the session up for small
group discussion based on issue areas.  Participants in the small groups
discussions will be asked to develop sets of recommendation for future
implementation.

- YouthForce Newsletter

Printed daily, the partners will update youth and adult allies on youth
activities at the conference, as well as spread messages to youth
colleagues not in attendance at the conference. Barcelona YouthForce
partners are currently looking for submissions to a pre-conference edition
of the newsletter, specifically from youth activists and leaders unable to
attend the conference. For more information, submissions, and the sign-up
listservice if not attending the conference, contact: Lydiah Bosire
lbosire@fhi.org or +1.703.516.9779, ext 269

2. The University of Natal is offering grants to support social science
research on HIV/AIDS. Three categories are available:

- Team grant, which offers support to research teams that include senior
and junior researchers working at different institutions.
- Sabbatical grant to support established researchers visiting a Southern
African institution.
- Individual grant targeting younger researchers wishing to spend time
visiting a Southern African institution.

Interested researchers should submit a three page "pre-proposal" to
Andisha Maharak, School of Development Studies, University of Natal, Room
MTB, before 31 July 2002.
Email: maharaja29@nu.ac.za
Tel: +27 31 260 3195 Fax: +27 31 260 3169
Further information can be obtained from:
http://www.nu.ac.za/csds/default.htm

3. "Heads and Tales", a series of short film clips on HIV and AIDS was
launched on 6 June by SAfAIDS and Masala Media. Targeted at young people,
this series of short films brings to life the daily reality of HIV and
AIDS. Filmed in a funky, innovative and candid way Heads and Tales
highlights the trials and tribulations of young people in southern Africa
who are infected and affected by HIV. Their testimonies are frank and open
as they share their feelings, fears and fantasies about HIV and AIDS.

To order your own copy of "Heads and Tales" contact SAfAIDS at:
info@safaids.org.zw

4. Responding to HIV/AIDS through International Partnership & Twinning -
participate in a survey to find ways to respond more effectively to
HIV/AIDS through the use of information and communication technologies
(ICTs) to promote international twinning partnerships. A twinning
partnership is defined as:

A formal, substantive collaboration between two or more organisations
anywhere in the world in which AIDS Service Organisations, NGOs, research
and other institutions come together to contribute to each others work and
to learn from each other's experiences.

The survey is available in English, French & Spanish at the twinning
against AIDS project site - http://www.comminit.com/icad/

5. Web discussion forum on HIV/AIDS programming

The Canadian International Development Agency would like comments on a
discussion paper it has produced on: Building Comprehensive Approaches to
HIV/AIDS Care, Treatment & Support in Resource Limited Settings. The paper
will inform programme guidelines for international commitments in the area
of care, treatment and support for people living with HIV/AIDS in resource
limited settings.

Comments from this forum will be reported at an experts consultation.

You can enter the forum here:
http://www.icad-cisd.com/forum/theforum.cfm?Forum=4&lang=e

or for further information, contact Michael O'Connor
moconnor@icad-cisd.com


JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Regional Health Advisor, Save the Children UK, South Africa

As a result of a recent review taken of Save the Children's work within
the health sector in Southern Africa, they are now seeking an experienced
health professional to guide and support the development and
implementation of the regional plan in consultation with country
programmes and programme management.

The successful candidate will be actively involved in assisting to rebuild
capacity for emergency public health work in the region with an emphasis
on prioritising HIV/AIDS in all aspects of the health Programme.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Based within the Regional Office in South Africa, the candidate will be
part of a team of Regional Advisors who provide support and advice across
the region.

- Support the development and implementation of health sector programmes
and activities in the region.
- Contribute to SC UK's ongoing policy and strategy development in this
area, and promote SC UK's views on health sector policy and reform to
donor agencies and other agencies/NGO's.

REQUIREMENTS:

Demonstrate at least 10 years' broad experience of overseas work in the
health sector, five of which must have been gained at policy level.
- A postgraduate qualification in public health, community health or
health sector planning and management or equivalent is essential.
- An in-depth understanding of international public health issues with
particular reference to children.

Experience of capacity development, advocacy and representation,
participatory methods of working and the ability and flexibility to travel
and adapt to a constantly changing environment are also essential.

A sound knowledge of development issues especially in relation to the
Southern African context and the ability to speak Portuguese would be an
advantage.

This post will have accompanied status and offers a competitive benefits
package including generous leave, accommodation and flights.

Closing date 27 June 2002

For information and an application form, contact:
Amy Berrisford, Overseas Personnel
Save the Children Fund, 17 Grove Lane, London, SE5 8RD, United Kingdom
Fax +44 (0)20 7793 7614
Email a.berrisford@scfuk.org.uk
Job reference code: RW_81344J
SOURCE: RELIEFWEB

2. Technical Advisor, UNFPA

UNFPA is the leading United Nations Agency in the field of reproductive
health, population and development. For their Country Support Teams in
Africa, they are seeking outstandingly qualified applicants for several
vacancies on the level of technical adviser.

The CST offices are located in Addis Ababa, Dakar and Harare.

Technical advisers work closely with UNFPA Programme Managers, government
counterparts and officials from other UN agencies, NGOs and bilateral
organisations to promote the achievement of UNFPA's mandate in the fields
of reproductive health and population. Applications are invited from
experts in the areas of Reproductive Health, Population and Development,
Gender, HIV/AIDS, Behaviour Change and Communication and Advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Engage effectively in policy dialogue at the country, regional and
institutional levels in support of the country offices' efforts
- Assess situations and capacities and innovate creative approaches and
strategies to meet programme objectives
- Promote a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverage
resources and build support for Population and Reproductive Health
programmes
- Identify, develop and apply effective strategies for technical
assistance, and capacity building at country and regional levels.

REQUIREMENTS:

- Advanced university degree in a relevant field
- Extensive professional experience at the international level with
particular emphasis on technical assistance and advocacy at the field
level.
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral are
essential. Fluency in Arabic, Spanish or French is a requirement for some
of the posts.

Successful candidates must have the ability to work effectively in a
culturally diverse team. They should be able to establish and maintain
relations with senior government officials, NGO representatives and UN
staff and be willing to undertake frequent travel.

More information and the terms of reference for each position can be found
at:
http://www.unfpa.org/about/employment/employment.htm

Send applications to:
Personnel Branch, UNFPA, 220 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017
Fax: +1 212 297 4908 or by email to CST2002@unfpa.org

Deadline for applications: 30 June 2002.


IRIN-SA
Tel: +27 11 880-4633
Fax: +27 11 447-5472
Email: IRIN-SA@irin.org.za

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