Latest
Dolutegravir- why new does not automatically mean better
While the advantages of the new antiretroviral drug dolutegravir have been extensively reported, the potential disadvantages have received relatively little attention, says Dr Tom Boyles.
Report exposes bullying, harassment and abuse at UNAIDS
An independent commissioned following multiple allegations of sexual harassment and bullying by senior staff at UNAIDS has been released telling a story of patriarchy, harassment and abuse of authority. At the centre of it all is UNAIDS head Michel Sidibe. The full report is here: http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/report-iep_en.pdf The report is titled: “Report on the work of …
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12 questions answered on the state of SAHPRA
In February 2018 the Medicines Control Council was replaced by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. Spotlight sent SAHPRA 12 questions to gauge how things are going with the new regulator.
Is South Africa on track to meet NSP targets?
On World AIDS Day 2018 we assess how South Africa is faring against 10 key targets set in the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV, TB and STIs 2017 – 2022.
Six advantages of dolutegravir
Dolutegravir is a critically important antiretroviral medicine that is set to become the backbone of South Africa and many other countries’ HIV programmes.
Let women decide whether they want to take dolutegravir
An important new antiretroviral medicine will soon become available to people living with HIV in various Sub-Saharan African countries. Unfortunately, many women might be denied access to this new drug due to an inability of regulators and health departments to see potential risks associated with the drug in the proper context.
Letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa: Send a message to world leaders to commit financially to fighting Aids
Dear Honourable President Ramaphosa, Greetings. Thank you for your tireless efforts to try to eradicate corruption and State Capture. We hope that these efforts will soon translate into a strong commitment to improve the quality of life of millions of our people, including their access to life-saving medicines and quality health. As you know, we …
The SADMON Files 5: When social media doesn’t go viral
In 2015 Sadmon Projects and Consulting was awarded a three-year, R352 million communications contract by the Department of Health. The tender was for an external service provider to run a mass media communication and social media mobilisation campaign. The emphasis was on “mass”, and a successful social media strategy was therefore critical.
Posted about Treatment in 2017
AIDS2018 Breaking News: Zero HIV transmissions in PARTNER study after gay couples had sex 77,000 times without condoms – an undetectable viral load stops HIV
By Simon Collins, HIV i-Base On Tuesday 24 July, the results from the extension to the PARTNER study were presented by Alison Rodger at a press conference at AIDS 2018, ahead of the main conference presentation. [1, 2] After eight years the study was unable to find a single linked HIV transmission when viral load …
AIDS2018: Reduction in price of bedaquiline welcome, but is it enough?
This week the price of bedaquiline in the public sector in South Africa was cut in half. What does this mean for the increased uptake of this critically important TB drug across the world? This week at the International AIDS Conference South Africa’s Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced that the South African government …
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AIDS2018: Delegates walk out on Sidibe
Hundreds of delegates walked out of the opening of the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam last night in protest when UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe took the stage. By Kerry Cullinan, Health-e News Service Before the walkout, a group of African women read out a statement describing Sidibe as “aider and abetter of sexual harassment” …
AIDS2018: G23 women draw a line in the sand
This is a statement read out by the group of 23 women as Michel Sidibe took to the stage at the opening plenary. “…a political struggle that does not have women at the heart of it, above it, below it, and within it is not struggle at all.” – Arundhati Roy We are the group …
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AIDS2018: Humans in the Age of HIV-There was no one who came to visit them at their homes
By Ngqabutho Mpofu Ronnie came out in the early 1980s, telling his friends and sister that he was homosexual. This was not an easy thing to do, given the traditional Xhosa culture that he is from. He credits his support network for helping him come through that period in his life. Today he works in …
AIDS2018: Time to make AIDS political again
By Anele Yawa Two years ago, we welcomed the world to the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. At a march of ten thousand people we held up banners proclaiming that 20 million people still need treatment. At that conference we said to the world that AIDS is not over – and indeed, the …
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AIDS2018: Tangerine, a Thai transgender programme that works
Almost everyone in the HIV world is talking about providing services to key populations – a ground-breaking project in Thailand is providing an example of how to go about it. They kindly answered Spotlight’s questions. Q: What is the Tangerine project and how does it work? A: The “Tangerine” Community Health Center is the first …
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AIDS2018: Humans in the Age of HIV-There’s no one influencing me anymore
By Nomatter Ndebele Gloria lives in Vrededorp, Johannesburg with her partner and her 2-year-old son. She has been on drugs since 2013. Gloria started with Marajuana and then graduated onto harder drugs. She currently smokes Crystal Meth, which Is available in her neighborhood for R50 a hit (less than U$4). “I used to smoke rocks …
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Latest Edition
Cutting-edge youth services
The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) is implementing a number of innovative youth-focused health services around Cape Town. Others could learn from their approach and successes.
Bill would roll back right to choose
Thabang Pooe, SECTION27 A new Bill threatens the very essence of a woman’s right to bodily integrity and reproductive decision-making, as well as the right to dignity. Wednesday 31 January 2018 marked the 21st anniversary of the adoption of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTOPA). CTOPA states clearly that every woman, regardless …
Contraception: DBE Draft Policy on the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy
Thabang Pooe, SECTION27 The results of the last Annual School Survey, released in 2017, sent shock waves through the country. According to the survey, an estimated 15 740 learners fell pregnant in the previous academic school year – that’s roughly 43 every day. This was described by Minister of Education Angie Motshekga as a major …
We are failing young women in South Africa
Thuthukile Mbatha, Guest Editor, Spotlight Note: This is the editorial from a special print edition of Spotlight guest-edited by young people. Every week in South Africa, around two thousand young women and girls between the ages of 15 and 24 become HIV positive. More than one in ten women and girls in this age group …
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Videos
Cry Ndlovu Cry
Ndlovu Care Group and patients have been at the centre of a battle with the Limpopo health MEC who ended the contract and wants the almost 4 000 healthy HIV patients transferred to battling state clinics.
VIDEO: #FireBenny
The Treatment Action Campaign and partners recently held a meeting to establish the Free State People’s Health Coalition. More than 500 TAC members also took to the streets and delivered memorandums to the police and National Prosecuting Authority demanding an update on the charges against Health MEC Dr Benny Malakoane. This is a short clip of …
VIDEO: The Price of Gold
Judgment in the historic Silicosis Class Action, Bongani Nkala and 55 Others v Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd and 31 Others, will be handed down in the South Gauteng High Court tomorrow (Friday 13 May 2016) at 9am. If the class is certified it will be the largest class to ever be certified in South Africa and …
VIDEO: TB Aware: Nulda Beyers
TB scientist Professor Nulda Beyers speaks about the critical needs to employeers to enable employees to get tested and treated for TB. Credit: Thom Pierce
