Buthelezi: SANAC to lead the prevention revolution
Dr Sandile Buthelezi, the new Chief Operating Officer of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), lays out his vision for SANAC and explains the need for a “prevention revolution”.
Spotlight on health MECs: Phophi Ramathuba
It’s a health budget day in Limpopo, and MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba is set to address a packed council sitting in Lebowakgomo on how R18 billion will be divided up for health needs in the province.
New SANAC CEO responds to questions about his past
Dr Sandile Buthelezi was recently appointed as the new head (CEO) of the South African National AIDS Council. His appointment follows the suspicious non-renewal of the previous CEO’s contract Dr Fareed Abdullah and unsuccessful attempts to lure Eastern Cape head of health Dr Thobile Mbengashe to the post.
Spotlight on health MECs: Gwen Ramokgopa
Government’s merry-go-round of political appointments saw Gwen Ramokgopa return to the position of MEC for Health in Gauteng in February – a post she first held in 1999.
Spotlight on TAC Provinces
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) reports for Spotlight on some of its recent work in the seven provinces where TAC has branches and provincial structures.
10 things to know about TB in South Africa
Tuberculosis (TB) is still a crisis in South Africa. Here are 10 quick facts about the state of TB in South Africa.
Renewed hope for crypto, a deadly AIDS-defining fungal opportunistic infection
Cryptococcosis (“crypto”) is a common AIDS-defining fungal opportunistic infection worldwide. It has been neglected for many years. This is about to change.
TAC congress elects new leaders, sets priorities
The Treatment Action Campaign’s (TAC) 6th National Congress held in Sterkfontein, Gauteng concluded today with the re-election of Anele Yawa as General Secretary and the election of Sibongile Tshabalala as Chairperson.
Nkhensani Mavasa’s speech at the opening of TAC’s sixth National Congress
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) Chairperson Nkhensani Mavasa delivered the below speech at the opening of the TAC’s sixth National Congress on 23 August 2017. The speech has been lightly edited for publication.
Mental health and pill-taking: Getting beyond HIV
“A few weeks ago we lost Prudence Mbele, a beloved long-time activist living openly with HIV, who died of TB. Prudence was famous for her ‘pill holidays’ – a big no-no in HIV-land, as it leads to further immune damage. The idea of someone stopping their life-saving tablets – even temporarily – boggles the minds of most health providers. Her death triggered an intense media and Facebook/Twitter reaction, filled both with criticism at her choices as well as empathy, as people shared their own hard stories about taking antiretrovirals. Professor Francois Venter writes for Spotlight about the difficulties of taking pills for the rest of your life and dealing with the mental health issues relating to illness.
Pledge for Prudence
Mark Heywood paid tribute to AIDS, human rights and gender activist Prudence Mabele who recently passed away.
New HIV policy for schools does not go far enough
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has launched its new National Policy on HIV, STIs and TB. Is it good enough? And how can it be improved?