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.
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.
Treatment Action Campaign: Special Edition
We have prepared a special print edition of Spotlight to coincide with
the Treatment Action Campaign’s 6th National Congress taking place
from 23 to 25 August 2017. Amongst others it contains updates from all
seven TAC provinces and articles on treatment adherence and the future
of ART
Opinion: Will we get the NSP right this time?
By Marcus Low, Spotlight Editor – At the end of this year South Africa’s big plan to fight HIV and tuberculosis (TB) comes to an end. The National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV, TB and STIs 2012-2016 will be replaced by the 2017-2021 NSP. It is vital that the new NSP avoids the mistakes of the past and fully incorporates new scientific evidence.
Opinion: Dear Deputy President Ramaphosa
This open letter from Mark Heywood appeared on Spotlight’s website and in the Daily Maverick at the end of August. While we are three months further down the line, the issues highlighted by Mark are still relevant and important to take note of as the new plan for HIV and TB is crafted. We welcome responses to this, please write to the Editor and let’s talk!
A vision without a plan: In-depth analysis of SA’s new HIV and TB plan
South Africa’s HIV and TB plan for the next five years has been riddled with controversy. Here’s our assessment of the plan.
HIV docs win quack HIV gel case
The South Gauteng High Court this week ruled in favour of the SA HIV Clinicians Society in its legal battle with a doctor who promoted a product marketed as Dr Hugh’s Dermo Blue Pre-sex Protection Gel, which claimed to prevent HIV infection.
Behind the headlines
By Marcus Low – Medical research findings are often sensationalised and overstated in the mainstream media. We debunk three cases of HIV-related misreporting that caught our eye in recent months.
Our house is still burning: We need your help
A full version of the special edition of Spotlight will be released during the International AIDS Conference in Durban which starts on 17 July. This is an article which will be published in Spotlight.