God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

10/03/2012 • 8:06 am Comments Off on Not shy to sell “milk not for sale”

Not shy to sell “milk not for sale”

Some spaza shop owners in Khayelitsha are selling formula milk that is marked “Not for resale”. TAC reports. This milk is supposed to be given free to HIV-positive mothers to give to their babies instead of breast milk to avoid infecting the newly born. The brand name for the state’s formula milk is Melegi. It is manufactured by Aspen. In August 2011 the Ministry of Health in South Africa announced that exclusive breastfeeding will be replacing the formula feeding throughout South Africa. The reason for the change of heart: clinical trials over the last few years have shown that if women take anti-retroviral treatment they can breastfeed with very little risk of passing on the virus.

A consequence of this is that the milk is now being sold illegally because some mothers still want to use it and it is not available free anymore. The question is now: How got the free milk “not for sale” into the spaza shops where mothers have to pay for it. And the next question is whether mothers, who use the formula milk and breast-feeding are aware that mixing the two methods is more dangerous to their baby than exclusively either breast-feeding or formula feeding.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

09/27/2012 • 9:30 am Comments Off on The Berlin Patient – cured or not cured?

The Berlin Patient – cured or not cured?

Maybe you have heard about the so-called “Berlin” patient who has been cured of HIV. Or maybe not? What is actually happening with him and what does it mean for the research? Are we close to find the key to win over the battle? Please read here more about this interesting case.

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

09/25/2012 • 9:21 am Comments Off on Only Southern Africa?

Only Southern Africa?

There is a perception that Southern Africa is the only hot spot of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  But Eastern Europe and Central Asia have the world’s fastest-growing HIV epidemic according to the World Health Organization. It is said the epidemic there is concentrated mostly among injection drug users. Experts blame punitive drug policies, discrimination and trouble accessing treatment. They say the situation will not be contained until local governments affected by the epidemic change their AIDS policies. To read more click here.

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Networking, Politics and Society, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

09/21/2012 • 9:06 am Comments Off on A new date to celebrate?

A new date to celebrate?

Unknown to many in South Africa, this month of September saw a new global awareness date: The Global Female Condom Awareness Day was celebrated on the 12th of September for the first time. Advocates and organizations in 22 states and 21 countries promoted the use of female condoms as underutilized safer sex tools. Although they’re called female condoms, these prophylactics can be used for both vaginal and anal sex. Here in South Africa more and more women use the female condom which can be worn for a longer time. Protecting themselves in the case of rape is also a reason often said when questioned about it.

Read more from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago here.

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

09/19/2012 • 7:53 am Comments Off on Erection & heart condition

Erection & heart condition

There is a relationship between erectile dysfunction and the metabolic syndrome – a combination of obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol in one person – heart disease, diabetes and common psychiatric conditions such as depression. That poor sexual health may be a warning for heart disease and diabetes is particularly important in South Africa where heart disease kills 200 people every day, and millions are suffering from diabetes. This news is also important to know for people living with the virus and therefore more at risk for heart diseases.
The whole article you can find here.

Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HIV Treatment, Medical and Research, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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