IRIN HIV/AIDS Weekly - 281
Africa
28 April 2006


NEWS:

LESOTHO: Lack of healthcare workers a drain on new HIV/AIDS plan
TANZANIA: Law reforms to take account of HIV/AIDS
AFRICA: Finding effective microbicide just the first step
UGANDA: Integrating traditional medicine in the fight against HIV/AIDS
AFRICA: Frustration over pace of microbicide development


LINKS

1. AIDSinAfrica.net
2. The Kidzpositive Family Fund


VACANCIES

1. HIV/AIDS Programme Officer - Southern Sudan and Uganda




NEWS

LESOTHO: Lack of healthcare workers a drain on new HIV/AIDS plan

As the Lesotho government prepares to launch a 'Know your HIV status' 
campaign, a shortage of qualified healthcare workers threatens to derail 
plans to increase access to AIDS treatment in the mountain kingdom.

According a nurse [who wanted to remain anonymous] at Queen Elizabeth 
Hospital, the country's main referral hospital, 70 nurses tend to around 
3,400 patients - an average of close to 50 patients per nurse.

"There is a lot of work and given a chance I would leave the country for 
greener pastures," she said.

More details: http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5901


TANZANIA: Law reforms to take account of HIV/AIDS

The government of Tanzania is to overhaul its legal framework to take 
account of the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

"There is need for a comprehensive law on HIV/AIDS issues - a legal 
framework that ... takes into account the interests of those infected 
and affected by HIV/AIDS. It should be understood that HIV/AIDS is no 
longer only a health challenge, but economic, social and political as 
well," said Sam Komba, legal officer with the Tanzania Commission for 
AIDS (TACAIDS).

More details: http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5900


AFRICA: Finding effective microbicide just the first step

An effective microbicide could be ready in six years if current trials 
are successful, but it would take longer before hitting the shelves in 
developing countries, delegates attending an international microbicides 
conference heard on Tuesday.

Microbicides include a range of products - such as gels, films and 
sponges - that could help prevent the transmission of HIV and other 
sexually transmitted infections.

More details: http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5897


UGANDA: Integrating traditional medicine in the fight against HIV/AIDS

Musawo Musa Takomalirawo, a traditional Ugandan healer, never had any 
formal schooling, but for the past 40 years he has treated patients for 
malaria, chronic diarrhoea and nightmares.

"I would treat patients for HIV-related ailments like skin rashes, weak 
immune system and weight loss, but when they kept returning to me in an 
even worse condition, I assumed it must be witchcraft," he said. Unlike 
many healers, he has never claimed to have a cure for a condition he 
knew so little about.

More details: http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5892


AFRICA: Frustration over pace of microbicide development

Progress in developing an effective anti-HIV microbicide was far too 
slow, delegates attending the international microbicide conference in 
Cape Town, South Africa, heard this week.

Sunday's colourful opening ceremony had been billed as a "celebration of 
women", but as speaker after speaker rose to stress women's urgent need 
for a female-controlled prevention method such as a microbicide, it 
became apparent that the celebrations were premature.

More details: http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5891



LINKS

1. AIDSinAfrica.net

This is an online resource for current information on HIV/AIDS in 
Africa.

The website uses visual models, such as animated maps and diagrams, to 
make the statistics behind the pandemic in Africa more engaging and easy 
to understand. It is also home to the in-progress documentary "5 Heroes 
of AIDS in Africa."

Access the site: http://www.aidsinafrica.net


2. The Kidzpositive Family Fund

This is the website for 'The Kidzpositive Family Fund', and organisation 
dedicated to improving the health of HIV-positive children in Southern 
Africa.

Their goal is to generate funds for the grassroots support of mothers 
and children affected by the pandemic, while also becoming a regional 
source of financial support for organisations providing the recommended 
providing care.

Access the site: http://www.kidzpositive.org



VACANCIES

American Refugee Committee International (ARC), is looking to recruit an 
HIV/AIDS Programme Officer to help oversee their project for the 
survival, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons. 
Among other responsibilities, the incumbent will also be tasked with 
compiling data collected by programme-staff in the field for inclusion 
in monthly reports.

If interested, please apply online at www.arcrelief.org

Reference Code: RW_6P3P56-49


IRIN-SA
Tel: +27 11 895-1900
Fax: +27 11 784-6759
Email: IRIN-SA@irin.org.za


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