By Own Correspondent – Windhoek – Health and human rights activists continue to lobby in support of an on-going court case involving HIV positive women who are suing the Namibian government for damages amounting to one million Namibian dollars each, in compensation for alleged violations of their rights to be free from discrimination and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and their rights to dignity and founding a family. In 2008, reports by the Namibian Women’s Health Network and the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS indicated that 40 women, including the sixteen who are now suing the government, had... Continue Reading
By Novell Zwange – MPUMALANGA – The Transnet Foundation in South Africa and Roche this month unveiled the better version of a refurbished health clinic aboard the Phelophepa health-care train, a primary health facility on rails. Phelophepa, (which literally translates to good, clean health) is a remarkable success story of how public-private sector partnerships can be used to transform lives of communities through social entrepreneurship. The Transnet owned train provides primary health care services to South Africa’s most remote rural areas, and these include eye and dental care, psychiatric support, cancer, diabetes and hypertension screening, as well as health education... Continue Reading
SAMBURU, 31 August 2010 (PlusNews) – In the remote and rural district of Samburu, northern Kenya, where paved roads are scarce and motorised transport hard to come by, reaching the mostly pastoralist and nomadic inhabitants with HIV/AIDS services requires an unusual approach. John Lokolale, 21, a Samburu Moran (warrior), said he did not know what the word condom meant until recently. “Now I know a condom because I have seen it,” he told IRIN/PlusNews. “These days, when I get a girl I tell her I will use a condom because I have a stock in my house. They brought it... Continue Reading
By Novell Zwange – Marijuana smoked three times per day reduced the intensity of neuropathic pain, improved sleep and was well tolerated. In a randomized crossover trial of 23 patients, Canadian researchers used three strengths of cannabis as well as placebo to test the effects of the drug. These findings are suggestive, but they need to be confirmed in larger long-term safety and efficacy studies, say the Canadian researchers. The researchers say that those who suffer from chronic pain may find relief by smoking cannabis three times a day. They may also sleep better. In a three-month study which followed... Continue Reading
JOHANNESBURG, 26 August 2010 (PlusNews) – Journalist and long-time HIV activist Pholokgolo Ramothwala, 32, was diagnosed HIV-positive at the age of 19. He runs his own communications company and writes an online diary about living with HIV. He spoke to IRIN/PlusNews about love, disclosure and discordance. “I get hundreds of letters from people – the most frequent questions [they have] are about relationships and HIV disclosure. “Delaying disclosure has got its own implications, because you fall in love with this person and it becomes more and more difficult to tell [them]. The one advice I have, that I always tell... Continue Reading
