HIV in Umkhanyakude: Impressive numbers, but living with HIV difficult amid socio-economic hardship

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Provinces

Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikhalala praised the Umkhanyakude District recently on its ‘exceptional’ figures in meeting the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. Yet, when Spotlight recently visited the Jozini area, we were confronted with a less rosy picture. Some people stopped their HIV treatment because they do not have food to eat, and activists now warn that the progress with the targets can be derailed if poverty, hunger and other social determinants of health are not urgently and comprehensively addressed. Nomfundo Xolo reports.

HIV in Umkhanyakude: Impressive numbers, but living with HIV difficult amid socio-economic hardship

IN PICTURES: World AIDS Day in Soweto

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest

On Tuesday South Africa commemorated World AIDS Day in Soweto under the theme: We’re in the together, Cheka Impilo. Spotlight photographer Denvor De Wee was there to capture the event in pictures.

Government can do better, Deputy President says at World AIDS Day event

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest

A high-level government delegation led by Deputy President David Mabuza descended on Soweto during a World AIDS Day commemoration. Ufrieda Ho reports.

Government can do better, Deputy President says at World AIDS Day event

From the frontlines: 20 years of fighting HIV in Khayelitsha

Posted in: Edition 12: SA’s AIDS & TB response, Edition 6: HIV & teens, Edition 8: NSP in general, Edition 9: State of HIV, HIV/AIDS, Latest

Two decades since Doctors without Borders (MSF) started its HIV programme in Khayelitsha, the organisation will start wrapping up its operations. Siyabonga Kamnqa spoke to some people living with HIV who benefitted from this programme and who now work as activists about developments over the last 20 years.

From the frontlines: 20 years of fighting HIV in Khayelitsha

Opinion: Our data shows where Gauteng clinics are failing, government must help fix it

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, InFocus, Latest

Too many clinics are in crisis and it is driving the continuing HIV epidemic. People are dying because of it, argue members of the Ritshidze Project as they launch a report into the state of public sector facilities in Gauteng.

Opinion: Our data shows where Gauteng clinics are failing, government must help fix it

‘Welcome Back Service’ aims to help people get back on HIV treatment

Posted in: HIV/AIDS, Latest

While South Africa is doing well on some of the UNAIDS HIV targets for 2020, one target we are set to miss is ensuring that 90% of people diagnosed with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy. Partly in response to this problem, the ‘Welcome back’ campaign started by Doctors without Borders aims to make it easier for people who have stopped taking treatment to restart. Tiyese Jeranji reports.