hiv/aids

Various nonprofits organisations have added their voices calling for the inclusion of minority groups in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Director of the social, health and empowerment part of the African Trans Women, Leigh Ann van der Merwe, says transgender women continue to be stigmatised by some health workers.

“Access to condoms in schools‚ youth friendly clinics and access to sanitary wear in schools.”

Those are the demands made in the Youth Declaration which‚ SECTION27 says ‚ was signed by 92 organisations and individuals at the 2016 International AIDS Conference.

In a press statement, SECTION27 expresses the view that clinics are currently not safe and friendly places for learners and young children‚ adding that, “When they ask for condoms or HIV testing they yet reprimanded and are now choosing to stay away from clinics which is making them even more vulnerable.”

Human rights advocates from major Western nations and organisations are protesting against a United Nations decision to bar 22 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) affiliated groups from taking part in a high-level United Nations AIDS conference next month.
 
Because the 193-member U.N. General Assembly operates by consensus, the countries calling for the ban - Russia, Tanzania and 52 countries in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – are not required to give an explanation.
 

The Ngamiland Council of NGOs (NCONGO) and Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) are planning to distribute 2.5 million condoms in seven months throughout the Ngamiland region.

NCONGO executive officer, Monametsi Sokwe, points out that the project is also aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness about several issues relating to HIV and sexual health using information, education and communication (IEC) materials and a social media campaign.

Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country have been commended for the role they play in the fight against further spread of HIV.
 
Group Village Headman (GVH) Pasani made the commendation during this year's commemoration of World AIDS Day at Lunzu Community Centre Hall in Senior Chief Kapeni's area in Blantyre.
 

Two new grants signed between the Global Fund and Botswana mark a new phase of partnership, with a focus on preventing, treating and caring for people affected by HIV and tuberculosis.

The financial resources provided through the Global Fund come from many sources and partners, represented today at a signing event by the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, the European Union, Germany and France. The grants signed today total US$27 million.

Two new grants signed between the Global Fund and Botswana mark a new phase of partnership, with a focus on preventing, treating and caring for people affected by HIV and tuberculosis.

The financial resources provided through the Global Fund come from many sources and partners, represented today at a signing event by the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, the European Union, Germany and France. The grants signed today total US$27 million.

TB/HIV Care Association, a non-governmental organisation working against the spread of TB and HIV, is calling for the decriminalisation of drug abusers.
The organisation’s Shaun Shelly, states that people who use drugs frequently suffer from human rights abuses at public spaces.

According to Shelly, the organisation recorded about 250 incidents of human rights violations in three cities throughout the country in a period of three months.

AIDS-related deaths are declining in all age groups, except among 10-19 year olds, it was heard during the Organisation of African Firsts Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) 16th annual General Assembly.
 
Hosted under the theme ‘Advancing sustainable Partnership to end pediatric AIDS and improve Adolescent’, reported that while African Union (AU) member states made great stride in mother to child HIV transmission, there was not targeted care for HIV positive children.
 

The Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) says we are still a long way from realising a vaccine or a cure for HIV.

CAPRISA director, Professor, Salim Abdool Karim, says the search for a vaccine is underway, adding that, “So, the search is well underway and I think we have some early, promising data to suggest that it may be a potential way that would help us to develop a vaccine.”