'Goldilocks' gene could determine best treatment for TB patients

Tuberculosis patients may receive treatments in the future according to what version they have of a single 'Goldilocks' gene, says an international research team from Oxford University, King's College London, Vietnam and the USA. 7 Feb 2012 14:21

PMBs here to stay, court rules

Legalbrief reports that the North Gauteng High Court has thrown out, on technical grounds, a bid to clarify what medical aid funds are required to pay for the treatment of a basic set of conditions, ranging from tuberculosis to malaria. 11 Nov 2011 10:06

Non-communicable diseases: Africa must 'spend a lot more'

BERLIN, GERMANY: According to scidev.net, Olive Shisana, CEO of the South African Human Sciences Research Council, said at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany that infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, are expected to decline while non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, will increase in Africa over the coming decades. 4 Nov 2011 11:47

Provinces spend just R83,8 billion

South African provinces spent a paltry 22,9% or R83,8 billion of their combined total budgets of R365,5 billion in the first quarter of this year according to a report published by Business Live. 18 Aug 2011 06:37

Immunisation: Keeping them safe

[Graham Anderson] National Immunisation Awareness Week takes place over 2-8 August. Immunisation is an increasingly controversial topic, but the truth is that there is a far greater risk associated with not immunising your child. 4 Aug 2011 13:49

Healthcare workers run the gauntlet of TB infection every day

Research studies in countries in Africa, Asia, and South America have documented increased risk of TB disease or infection in health care workers compared with the general population. 4 Aug 2011 13:42

WHO warns against the use of inaccurate blood tests for active tuberculosis

The use of currently available commercial blood (serological) tests to diagnose active tuberculosis (TB) often leads to misdiagnosis, mistreatment and potential harm to public health, says WHO in a policy recommendation issued today. WHO is urging countries to ban the inaccurate and unapproved blood tests and instead rely on accurate microbiological or molecular tests, as recommended by WHO. 2 Aug 2011 13:01

DNDi launches new HIV/AIDS drug development programme for children

Yesterday at the 6th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) announced the launch of a new drug development programme to address critical unmet treatment needs of children with HIV and AIDS. 20 Jul 2011 10:37

SA's top five recent successes in HIV

South Africa's HIV/AIDS programme has come a long way from the dark days of denialism and deadly treatment delays. Francois Venter, chairman of the country's bi-annual HIV conference, SA AIDS 2011, gave IRIN/PlusNews five reasons to be happy about the country's progress: 9 Jun 2011 07:50

Govt working around the clock on NHI

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has urged citizens who are concerned about the establishment of the National Health Insurance (NHI) to be patient as government is working around the clock on this issue. 1 Jun 2011 13:54

TB - the year that was

Gains have been made in stopping multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), a largely undiagnosed killer, but not enough. By 2015 there will be two million new cases, says a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO). 26 May 2011 13:54

HIV/AIDS: Straight Talk with Stephen Lewis

A former politician, diplomat and aid worker, few people have witnessed the fight against HIV from as many international vantage points as former UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis. Now co-director of the international advocacy organization, AIDS-Free World, Lewis spoke to IRIN/PlusNews about the direction of the international response to HIV. 12 Apr 2011 08:17

Lottery funds slow to arrive

The Funding Practice Alliance (FPA) report, released yesterday 30 March 2011 in Cape Town, shows key problems regarding the National Development Agency (NDA) and the National Lotteries Board (NLB) 31 Mar 2011 10:41

A new approach to TB diagnosis in SA

Médecins Sans Frontières reports on their success with decentralised multidrug-resistant tuberculosis care. With a new TB test and a community-based approach, they are able to get more patients on to treatment, sooner. 30 Mar 2011 12:55