More feature stories on Eastern and Southern Africa

Kenya to adopt comprehensive HIV prevention package for people who inject drugs
23 February 2011|
The Kenyan government is taking an innovative approach to reducing HIV among injecting drug users. In a bold new initiative, the government is set to give drug users free access to HIV prevention and treatment services.
Preventing new HIV infections among children is the focus of a meeting of African First Ladies
01 February 2011|
Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV was high on the agenda at a General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
‘A better future’: New evidence shows triple antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV
14 January 2011|
The Lancet Infectious Diseases today published evidence from a World Health Organization-led study. The study showed that giving pregnant women living with HIV a combination of three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs from the last trimester, through delivery and six months of breastfeeding can reduce the risk of their babies being infected with HIV by more than 40%.
South Sudan addresses concerns of HIV-affected refugees
11 January 2011|
Mary Kiden is a refugee in Uganda who is living with HIV and taking antiretroviral medicines. She wants to return home to southern Sudan but worries about whether her medical needs will be met. To help her make up her mind UNHCR recently invited Mary to join a ‘go-and-see’ visit to her former home. She was pleasantly surprised by what she found.
South Africa expanding access to ARV therapy
17 December 2010|
South African Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has announced that South Africa has successfully negotiated a range of price reductions for antiretroviral treatment in a bid to increase access to treatment for people living with HIV.
Cricket unites on World Aids Day: Players to wear red ribbons in international matches
30 November 2010|
International cricket will mark World AIDS Day and show its support for people living with HIV this week. Players will wear red ribbons on their shirts during international matches.
Next steps with 1% tenofovir microbicide gel
24 November 2010|
After nearly 20 years of research, the results of the CAPRISA 004 trial provided the first evidence that the use of a vaginal microbicide could provide a safe and effective way to prevent HIV infection in women.
Rwanda launches Agenda for Accelerated action for Women and Girls in the Response to HIV
10 November 2010|
Rwanda’s National Accelerated Plan for Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV 2010-2014 was unveiled on 10 November at an event at the Parliament, in the capital Kigali.
Bridging the health gap in South Africa
09 November 2010|
The South African government’s proposed national insurance scheme aims to tackle the stark divide in health care between rich and poor.
Captains at African Women’s Football Championship ‘Give AIDS the Red Card’ to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV
04 November 2010|
Captains of all eight national teams competing in the 2010 African Women’s Football Championship in South Africa have joined forces to support the Give AIDS the Red Card campaign to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
African HIV prisons network receives prestigious international award
02 November 2010|
The African HIV in Prisons Partnership Network has been presented with the prestigious 2010 Healthcare Award by the International Corrections and Prisons Association. Representing a major boost for the network, the award was given during the Association's recent annual conference in Belgium.
UNICEF Executive Director launches innovative approach to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in Kenya
29 October 2010|
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake joined the Kenya Government and other partners on Friday in rolling out an innovative approach to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies. The initiative includes a “Mother-Baby-Pack” of antiretroviral drugs and antibiotics, which women can easily administer at home.
African leaders call for accelerated response to AIDS in Zambia
26 October 2010|
In a recent mission to Zambia the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation, an organization of African leaders which includes former presidents and other influential personalities, met with top government officials to help push Zambia’s AIDS response forward. Zambian President Rupiah Banda unveiled a new National AIDS Strategy in the presence of the Champions that aims to increase access to antiretroviral treatment and reduce HIV infections in Zambia by 50% by the year 2015.
Plan launched to halve TB prevalence and death rates by 2015
13 October 2010|
The Stop TB partnership has launched a Global Plan to Stop TB (2011-2015) aimed at halving tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and death rates by 2015 to reach the Millennium Development Goal of halting and beginning to reverse the epidemic by 2015.
Food security response to HIV and gender-base violence in northern Uganda
07 October 2010|
The fertile northern region of Uganda was known for many years as one of the granaries of the country, consistently producing surpluses for local and international food markets. But two decades of civil conflict between the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have left the Acholi and Lango sub-regions destitute.
More than a game: using football to promote health issues in Uganda
30 September 2010|
Although hostilities in northern Uganda ceased in 2006, the lives of young people, formerly targets for abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army, have not been easy. During the conflict, which lasted more than 20 years, many children spent their early years confined to camps for displaced persons, while others were subjected to trauma, brutality and suffering as child soldiers.
High-level panel to discuss ‘AIDS plus MDG’ approach
22 September 2010|
A global consensus is emerging that accelerated progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and more efficient use of resources can be achieved by taking the AIDS response out of isolation and integrating it with efforts to achieve other health and development goals. On 22 September, the last day of the UN MDG Summit in New York, UNAIDS will co-host the event ‘AIDS plus MDGs: Delivering results towards our shared commitments’ together with the Governments of China, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa.
Country spotlight Botswana: ‘the AIDS response has been catalytic in strengthening our health system’
21 September 2010|
Botswana’s coordinator of the National AIDS Coordinating Agency, Richard Matlhare, shares his thoughts on Botswana’s progress in MDG 6.
Rethinking linkages between the MDGs: Botswana leads the way
21 September 2010|
There is now global recognition that one Millennium Development Goal cannot be achieved without the others. The health sector, in particular, has realized that responses to Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6—to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and combat HIV malaria and other diseases—must be tackled together to improve people’s life. At a side event of the UN Millennium Development Goals Review Summit taking place from 20 to 22 September in New York, Botswana shared its experiences in integrating health interventions and programmes in order to maximize resources and improve health outcomes.
H.E Azeb Mesfin, First Lady of Ethiopia, Chair of OAFLA and Mr Michel Sidibé
African First Ladies and UNAIDS to work together for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
03 August 2010|
In its 8th General Assembly, members of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV and AIDS (OAFLA) gathered in Kampala, Uganda, to deliberate on the theme of “Maternal and Child Health.” The First Ladies renewed their commitment to champion the well-being of African women and children in a Declaration presented at the end of the meeting.

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21 March 2013

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20 March 2013

UNAIDS calls for Zero parallel systems for HIV and TB. More

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