God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

12/02/2011 • 8:01 am Comments Off on New research supports EKAF statement for MSM

New research supports EKAF statement for MSM

Viral load in the blood and rectal secretions of HIV-positive gay men are highly correlated, according to US research published in the September 1st edition of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The study also showed that the presence of sexually transmitted infections did not increase rectal viral load. Individuals with a plasma viral load above 1000 copies/ml were significantly more likely to have detectable virus in the rectum.  “Our data add substantially to the few published studies of HIV shedding in rectal secretions of MSM [men who have sex with men],” comment the investigators, “we were able to quantify HIV RNA in rectal secretions, demonstrate the linear correlation between increasing plasma load and rectal viral load and determine a threshold plasma viral load that distinguished detectable from undetectable rectal viral load.” They also believe that their findings have important implications for current debates about the use of HIV treatment as prevention, commenting: “Combination antiretroviral therapy will have a similar effect on reducing HIV transmission in MSM, as seen in studies of heterosexual discordant couples.”
Read more:

English: http://www.aidsmap.com/Plasma-and-rectal-viral-load-correlated-in-HIV-positive-gay-men-supports-use-of-treatment-as-prevention/page/2063383

German: http://news.aids.ch/article.php?subID=12023&key=0&start=0&categorie=Wow!#12023

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, , , , , , , , , , ,

11/30/2011 • 3:00 pm Comments Off on Invitation for those in Cape Town

Invitation for those in Cape Town

All are invitedThursday 1st December 20117:30pmSt. Mary of the Flight into Egypt Cathedral, Cape Town.076 399 1015 (Sr. Margaret)

 

 

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Networking, Reflection, , , , , , ,

11/27/2011 • 10:53 pm Comments Off on HNU Alumni- and Campus Club in Cape Town

HNU Alumni- and Campus Club in Cape Town

After leaving the township of Khayelitsha, the HNU delegation continued to the town of Stellenbosch, where they had a brief walk and lunch in the lovely city centre before visiting Stellenbosch
University’s Lückhoff School. Stellenbosch University’s Dr. Jerome Slamat, Senior Director Community Interaction, presented Stellenbosch University’s CSR and HOPE projects. Then Reverend
Stefan Hippler, Chair of HOPE Cape Town Trust, and Dr. Sadeeka Williams, medical advisor of HOPE Cape Town, presented the Hope Cape Town project which aims at treatment and increasing knowledge about the prevalent HIV / Aids problem in the townships. Prof. Bernd Rosenkranz, Stellenbosch University, Division of Pharmacology, showed us the e-learning program for township clinics and community health care workers. Rev. Hippler and Prof. Rosenkranz accompanied the HNU group to Solms Delta Farm & Wine Estate in Franschoek where Hilko Hegewisch explained the history of the Western Cape in the Solms Delta Museum. During the wonderful dinner, Craig MacGillivray, CEO of Solms Delta, explained how the owners found 2000 year old relics
of farming in this area when renovating the buildings. They invested lots of money and paid special attention to detail to make the farm a unique jewel. They have succeeded in integrating the farm’s history and its people (owners and workers) into the new concept of hospitality present in its current restaurant and winery. During the dinner, participants shared their impressions with Consul General Hans-Werner Bussmann and his wife and made plans for cooperation with Rev. Stefan Hippler and Prof. Rosenkranz. Two additional guests, Eric Du Plessis, CEO of the Headway Group and Kai von Pannier from the Mineseeker Foundation, told the group about their development projects on coconut plantations in Mozambique where they are aiming to establish self-sustaining business (so called “aidfree” zones).

 

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Networking, Reflection, , , , , ,

11/22/2011 • 10:47 pm Comments Off on AIDS an ethical problem, so the Pope

AIDS an ethical problem, so the Pope

Pope Benedict XVI signed a Catholic Church pledge for Africa in Benin last week. The document reflects on the recommendations of the African Synod in 2009. Addressing the issue of AIDS, this document says the syndrome is, above all, an ethical problem and calls for changes in behavior, including sexual abstinence and rejection of promiscuity. Many remember that on his first trip to Africa in 2009, the pope stirred controversy when he suggested to reporters on his plane that condoms aggravate the AIDS problem. He has since seemed to back off from that position, and has not even mentioned condoms during this visit.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Reflection, , , , , , , ,

11/18/2011 • 12:19 pm Comments Off on Transitions continue…

Transitions continue…

The transition of HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust continues – HOPE Cape Town Association and HOPE Cape Town Trust have now their own YouTube channel. On the HOPE Cape Town Trust channel you can see the newest HOPE Cape Town clip, but also our first one made in 2003.
But not only that: General clips about HIV/AIDS in Africa, small German Advertising clips – still with the old logo – for German cinemas – the feature “Hoffnung am Kap” of the BR (German TV) is on show. A section will show you in the future the work of the trust and the association but also introduce the trustees (long-term goal) – if you find anything suitable on clips please feel free to contact me so that we can add it.
Prominently featured is also the HOPE Gala in Dresden but I sadly noticed that we don’t have material from the Ball of HOPE in Cape Town.

In the coming weeks the boards of HOPE Cape Town Association and Trust will meet to determine the way and working mechanism of close cooperation – all with the sense of responsiblity to make HOPE Cape Town fit for the future and to guarantee a stable environment of our 28 employees and the more than 300 000 clients we see every year.

The Academic field is also getting momentum and in February, the Kath. Stiftungsfachhochschule Muenchen (University of applied sciences) will visit to agree about closer cooperation. Saying this it is always to emphasis that our core work will remain with those living in the township communities and to support the primary health care system in the Western Cape. With our new director (HOPE Cape Association) there is new ideas and solid structures coming in – she is indeed already now a great asset for the organisation.

November till Mid December is always a hectic time in Cape Town – everything should be done before the big Christmas-Summer-Holiday time, but it is good to have a sense, that at the time, this time of leisure begins, we will have put things in place so that we can look forward to begin working in 2012 with a solid groundwork done in 2011 – ending the first 10 years of HOPE Cape Town in existence. During my trip to Germany I once again realised how much we owe those supporting us and giving us the opportunity to serve the communities.

Filed under: HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, HOPE Gala Dresden, Networking, Reflection, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

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