From thanhhien at abtvn.com Tue Jan 31 02:06:30 2012 From: thanhhien at abtvn.com (Hien Nguyen) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:06:30 -0800 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Abt Associates Inc - Carrer Opportunity Message-ID: <9BBF2352C397394C9982A6FA38463B1B06950E4771@VA3DIAXVS951.RED001.local> Dear All, Abt Associates Inc. is now seeking for a talented, dynamic and highly motivated Vietnamese individuals for our new project in Danang city. We therefore would appreciate if you could help us to circulate the attached Vacancy Announcement among those who have interest. Thanks and B. Regards Hien Nguyen Thanh Hien Abt Associates Inc. 3rd Floor, 72 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho District, Hanoi Tel: 84-4-37185716 (162) Fax: 84-4-37182652 ________________________________ This message may contain privileged and confidential information intended solely for the addressee. Please do not read, disseminate or copy it unless you are the intended recipient. If this message has been received in error, we kindly ask that you notify the sender immediately by return email and delete all copies of the message from your system. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Type: application/msword Size: 147968 bytes Desc: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment.doc From thanhhien at abtvn.com Tue Jan 31 02:06:30 2012 From: thanhhien at abtvn.com (Hien Nguyen) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:06:30 -0800 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Abt Associates Inc - Carrer Opportunity Message-ID: <9BBF2352C397394C9982A6FA38463B1B06950E4771@VA3DIAXVS951.RED001.local> Dear All, Abt Associates Inc. is now seeking for a talented, dynamic and highly motivated Vietnamese individuals for our new project in Danang city. We therefore would appreciate if you could help us to circulate the attached Vacancy Announcement among those who have interest. Thanks and B. Regards Hien Nguyen Thanh Hien Abt Associates Inc. 3rd Floor, 72 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho District, Hanoi Tel: 84-4-37185716 (162) Fax: 84-4-37182652 ________________________________ This message may contain privileged and confidential information intended solely for the addressee. Please do not read, disseminate or copy it unless you are the intended recipient. If this message has been received in error, we kindly ask that you notify the sender immediately by return email and delete all copies of the message from your system. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment-0002.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Type: application/msword Size: 147968 bytes Desc: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment-0002.doc From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Wed Feb 1 02:21:18 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:21:18 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (12.01.31ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103506@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103506@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: ** Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. The Africa Report - HIV/AIDS: ****Africa** is too dependent**** * * ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* 1. The Herald, ****Zimbabwe**** - Giving Is the Way Out of Poverty**** 2. The New Times, **Rwanda** - ****Rwanda****: Mrs. Kagame Takes Part in First Ladies' Assembly Against HIV**** 3. East Africa News Post - ****RWANDA****: HIV positive women denied inheritance rights ? report**** 4. GhanaWeb - HIV Caregivers face isolation **** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* 1. ****VietNam**** News - Gov't support for HIV/AIDS fight needed **** ** ** ***EUROPE***** 1. The Guardian, **UK** - Violent prejudice against ****Jamaica****'s gay people must stop**** 2. Reuters AlertNet - East Africans warn funding cuts will increase AIDS deaths**** 3. Reuters Aler - Helping HIV Patients in ****Lebanon******** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. El Universal, Mexico - M?xico frente al VIH: un panorama adverso para 2012 **** 2. Radio Habana, Cuba - Cuba: una eficaz estrategia en la lucha contra el SIDA**** 3. **Stabroek News**, **Guyana** - ****Guyana**** health ministry to focus on STIs overshadowed by HIV**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** 1. The New York Times - AIDS Prevention Inspires Ways to Make Circumcisions Easier**** 2. The New York Times - New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect**** 3. Huffington Post - Ten Years of The Global Fund: a Crossroads and a Choice **** 4. Associated Press - Design chosen for NYC AIDS memorial park **** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* 1. UNAIDS ? UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** HIV/AIDS: **Africa** is too dependent**** The **Africa** Report**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Africa is too dependent on external resources, especially for the Aids response and this must change, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidib?, told the continent's leaders at the AU summit at Addis Ababa**** ** ** "This is a source of great risk and potential instability. The status quo cannot be sustained - it is time for a new development paradigm that is developed and owned by the leaders of Africa," he said.**** ** ** A press release by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) secretariat in Accra on Sunday says Sidibe asked African governments to take on a greater share of Aids investments in their countries, since financing a sustainable response to the HIV epidemic in Africa requires home-grown and innovative solutions.**** ** ** This comes after a report in November 2011, by UNAIDS, charged with the international campaign against HIV and Aids, indicated that new infections were declining sharply as a result of a better anti-retroviral therapy coverage with the most dramatic increases in anti-retroviral therapy coverage occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.**** ** ** The report revealed that the decreasing infection rates were due to changes in sexual behaviour, increased condom use and people waiting longer before becoming sexually active with 47 percent HIV+ people now receiving treatment out of 14.2 million eligible people in low and middle income countries, but Sidib? maintained that it was high time Africa took control of the HIV/Aids situation.**** ** ** Scaling up**** An estimated two-thirds of Aids expenditure in Africa comes from international funding, according to a new UNAIDS study titled "Aids dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions," which reveals that a vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in Africa were imported from generic manufacturers.**** ** ** But experts say that whilst the cost of HIV drug regimens have declined significantly in recent years, they remained high and unsustainable, and prices must be further reduced to reach all people eligible for treatment.** ** ** ** Nonetheless, Africa will require between US$11 and US$12 billion for its Aids response by 2015 and US$3 and US$4 billion more than the current expenditure, UNAIDS estimates show.**** ** ** And to attain its zero infection, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths strategy UNAIDS said in last year's report that it needed "a scaling up of funding to US$22 - 24 billion in 2015". However, only US$15 billion was available for the Aids response in low and middle income countries during the latter half of last year.**** ** ** Generating revenue**** Nepad has suggested that revenue generating sources should include taxing alcohol and tobacco consumption or the use of mobile telephones. African leaders could also explore the wider use of "soft loans" from the African Development Bank.**** ** ** Having a single African Medicines Regulatory Agency could also expedite the rollout of quality assured HIV drugs, as well as the development of centres of excellence in Africa to catalyse the local production of high-quality HIV medicines and build Africa's knowledge-based economy.**** ** ** Africa accounted for 70 percent of the world's new infections in 2010 registering about 1.2 million HIV/Aids related deaths despite the sharp decline in HIV infection levels.**** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** Giving Is the Way Out of Poverty**** The Herald, ****Zimbabwe******** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By Gertrude Takawira**** ** ** Everything he touches seems to prosper. Bill Gates gave us his innovations in information and communication technology, by co-founding and building Microsoft to global extends. Gates became the second richest man in the world after the Mexican Carlos Slim.**** ** ** His innovations have taken a new twist. This time, instead of amassing riches, he is giving it out for the good of all. Interestingly both ventures, creating wealth and philanthropy, are a success for Gates.**** ** ** So successful is Gates that he had the confidence to take both good and rotten cassava to this year 2012, Davos for presentation at the World Economic Forum, a high profile event typically associated with caviar.**** ** ** In addition to material wealth, success includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, spiritual, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being and peace of mind. Wrongly, many people tend to limit success to financial and material terms, and thus miss out on the true joy of life.**** ** ** The joy of fulfilling one's desires with effortless ease is how nature or the universe provides for us, rather that the gruelling hard labour, upon which current global system is founded.**** ** ** Thus true success is measured through giving and receiving, which are age old principles upon which the universe is designed to avail abundance to all creation.**** ** ** There is a lot of literature in both secular and spiritual languages, which teach us on the need to be in harmony or in unity with divine systems. Disunity, bring about sickness, poverty, environmental challenges, wars and general lack instead of abundance.**** ** ** One the other hand, giving and receiving ensure consistent flow of provisions, just as the flow of blood ensures nourishment to all our body systems. Any amount of hoarding exerts pressure on the universal trading system and constricts free flow of wealth and provisions.**** ** ** This insight and vision, which some have relegated to churches and charity bodies, others doubt it totally, others have abused it and yet others still are loyal to, is what Gates is now being innovative about.**** ** ** Eradicating polio for instance is one of his goals for a better world. His philanthropy is on a grand scale. He plans to eradicate diseases in his lifetime that have plagued humanity for thousands of years.**** ** ** The Bill and Melinda Foundation is the world's largest philanthropic organisation which donates about US$300 million a year to agriculture projects, a little more than one-tenth of its overall annual commitments. About half of the organisation's money goes to health care, including efforts to fight AIDS, polio and malaria, while the rest is dedicated to education and other programmes.**** ** ** The novelty about Bill Gates' latest philanthropic interests is in the realisation that if the wealthiest individuals and families do not give, then the global wealth creation system will simply dry up.**** ** ** Watching men and women at Davos, painstakingly trying to place their fingers on the cause and solutions to the economic downturn and the euro zone crisis, it is evident that these political and economic leaders have run out of ideas.**** ** ** When corporate leadership realises and deliberately engage in a culture of giving, more wealth will be shared and therefore released into circulation. More work gets done with ease and greater success and ultimate benefit for all also gets realised.**** ** ** Social responsibility becomes the corporate culture and the multitudes forms of rot are eliminated. Junior Murchison said, "Money is like manure. If you spread it around it does a lot of good. But if you pile it up in one place it stinks like hell".**** ** ** In societies across the world, there are lots of examples of individuals who once received large amounts of riches, but failed to give and share, there lifestyles in many ways became like a pile of manure. This pattern follows the principles of the universe, which operates through dynamic exchange.**** ** ** This exchange must be kept flowing through giving and receiving. The corporate, has in its custody large sums of money, which although some of it is released through taxes, more through the principle of giving must be shared, thankfully.**** ** ** Gates is applying the same attention to detail that made him such a business success into his new found passion of saving lives. This illustrates the enthusiasm which can only come through a grateful and joyful spirit.**** ** ** When addressing a school in the UK recently, Bill Gates explained how his foundation was systematically working to get rid of every last case of polio, a scourge which paralysed hundreds and thousands of people each year. **** ** ** The giving is not only limited to money or financial means, but also time and whatever it is that one desires to see in abundant supply. Some societies believe in this principle of giving and receiving, so much that they will give something, even if it a flower or a smile to each person they came across.**** ** ** One of the first things taught to a small child is to give and receive. Here in Africa, businesses do not have to look far to find opportunities to give. Poverty in our resource rich continent is prevalent. It is one area, which if every corporate on the continent would make it their goal to eradicate, should soon fade away.**** ** ** In fact, every corporate governance system should consider poverty a risk factor to the long term sustainability of business. When a business is surrounded by poverty, it does not flourish.**** ** ** Enjoying the fruits of the business, among the poor is impossible as one will constantly be reminded of poverty and someone will always want to take their place. I believe that the corporate leadership is able and can stand up to this challenge if they set their minds to it. The goal is equity.**** ** ** As if philanthropy is not enough for Gates, he recently appeared in one television programme, saying that he believes the rich in America, are currently not paying enough taxes and that they should pay more.**** ** ** This language is not common in the corporate world. A transformation is certainly taking place among the likes of Gates, members of the Giving Pledge and other wealthy people around the world including China.**** ** ** Poverty eradication can not be left to governments. The corporate has a role to play. If they diligently apply the same success factors in their businesses to the poverty eradication cause, it should be possible to turn millions of people living in poverty, into a productive society, one which has the capacity to give and receive.**** ** ** In that way the universe is kept busy in productive and not destructive pursuits. It then becomes possible for nations to enjoy peace and harmony.** ** ** ** Many business people have admired Bill Gates for having been among the richest man in the world. He provided solutions to the ICT sector which almost every one of the 7 billion people around the world has directly or indirectly benefited from.**** ** ** Now he is onto providing a different kind of solution, this time to a poignant challenge to humanity, through giving. How many in the corporate leadership will not only admire, but also emulate Gates?**** ** ** *The writer is a researcher and consultant in governance.* ** ** *2* ****Rwanda****: Mrs. Kagame Takes Part in First Ladies' Assembly Against HIV **** The New Times, ****Rwanda******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By Edwin Musoni**** ** ** Rwanda's First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, was among other African First Ladies who attended the eleventh Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/ Aids (OAFLA) General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.**** ** ** The meeting, whose theme is "An HIV/AIDS free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today," is held alongside the 18th AU summit in Addis Ababa which President Paul Kagame is attending.**** ** ** The First Ladies' meeting aimed at addressing issues on maternal mortality and the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS, revitalisation of OAFLA members and resource mobilisation.**** ** ** In her speech at the opening ceremony, the President of OAFLA; the First Lady of Namibia, Mrs. Penehupifo Pohamba, underscored the need to scale up EMTCT services with special emphasis on male involvement.**** ** ** A statement from the Mrs. Kagame's office indicates that, "In Rwanda the percentage of male involvement in EMTCT services is 83 percent".**** ** ** "Other guests at the General Assembly included the Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidib? and Mrs. Ban Soon Taek, wife of the UN Secretary General," it adds.**** ** ** During the seven years since the establishment of OAFLA, the African Ladies have accomplished various goals in their countries as well as regions. The results of their efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of children, women and youth on the continent.**** ** ** OAFLA was formed in 2002 by 37 First African First Ladies with the goal of advocating for the mobilisation of awareness and resources as well as the development of leadership, policies, strategies and actions to fight HIV/AIDS at the national, regional and global level.**** ** ** *3* ****RWANDA****: HIV positive women denied inheritance rights ? report **** **East Africa** New Post**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Women living with HIV/Aids in Gasabo and Nyanza districts are being denied their rights to inherit family property by their spouses and other relatives, a research conducted by the Women?s Network for Rural Development, commonly known by its French moniker Reseaux Des Femmes, has shown.**** ** ** According to the research, carried out in three sectors in each of the districts, husbands say they cannot offer property to someone destined for death, leaving women stranded.**** ** ** Worse, they are threatened and, at times, thrown out of their marital homes once the husband dies, says the report, made public at a workshop in Remera, Kigali last week.**** ** ** The survey, sponsored by UN Women, focussed on issues related to women?s property and inheritance in the context of HIV/Aids.**** ** ** Nutritional needs were highlighted as the other challenges facing the women, it said**** ** ** The research was carried out as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of women?s vulnerability to HIV/Aids through enhanced advocacy and increasing their access to property, according to Beata Busasa, the National Coordinator for Women?s Network for Rural Development.**** ** ** ?The research provides broader understanding of the challenges to women infected with HIV. People living with HIV need a lot of support to live their full lives just like anybody else,? Busasa said in an interview with The New Times.**** ** ** In the case of discordant couples (where one partner is negative), the report says, women are mistreated and accused of being responsible for bringing the virus.**** ** ** With an estimated three percent of the adult population infected with HIV, Rwanda is less affected than other regional countries.**** ** ** The National Strategic Plan on HIV and Aids 2009 to 2012 provides that people infected and affected by HIV have the same opportunities as the general population.**** ** ** However, grassroots leaders are not keen to resolve issues of violation of the inheritance rights of women infected with the virus, the report indicated. **** ** ** And most women, especially in rural areas, are ignorant of where to seek appropriate help in case their rights are abused, the researchers said.**** ** ** *5* HIV Caregivers face isolation **** GhanaWeb**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Ho, Jan 30, GNA - Mr Livinus Acquah-Jackson Executive Director, New Seed International has hinted that Caregivers of persons suffering from the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are being shunned.**** ** ** He gave the hint at a workshop organized in Ho by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), for Directors of NGOs in HIV/AIDS and Paralegals.**** ** ** New Seed International based at Sokode near Ho, provides care for persons with HIV/AIDS and takes custody of orphans whose parents have died from the disease.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson said once people got to know that you were into HIV/AIDS work they would not want to be associated with you lest they be suspected of being HIV positive.**** ** ** Recounting his experience, Mr Acquah-Jackson said anytime he entered a house, people would want to know whether there was somebody with the disease in that house.**** ** ** He said as a result people were reluctant to admit him in their homes.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson said the situation could undermine the delivery of care to those with the virus as they would be reluctant to own up to their status.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson therefore called for the intensification of HIV/AIDS education which he observed had gone down considerably.**** ** ** He said it would be dangerous for the country to lower the intensity of the campaign against the disease because of the country?s reported low prevalence rate.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson observed that seeds of HIV, which had been sown at the peak of the disease in the country, could be maturing and more people could also be contracting the virus.**** ** ** He said the social lives of people providing care to HIV/AIDS victims were also at risk of breaking down.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** Gov't support for HIV/AIDS fight needed **** ****VietNam**** News**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** HA NOI ? Social organisations do not receive sufficient support from the Government, especially in terms of finance, in the battle against HIV/AIDS, according to experts and activists in the field. **** ** ** Nguyen Van Tien, deputy head of the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs said the limitation of the Government's budget did not allow it to support civil social organisations in HIV/AIDS response. **** ** ** Social organisations, therefore, were much more dependent upon the aid and assistance of foreign organisations to organise their activities and events, he said.**** ** ** According to Vu Thi Phuong Lan, head of management at Sunflower Network, a community-based organisation of 13 self-help groups operating in seven cities and provinces to support HIV-positive women and their families, the network receives financial support from a sole sponsor - the Netherlands-Vietnam Medical Committee, an international non-governmental organisation. **** ** ** Lan said health centres and red cross associations at the local level also helped by offering management advice as well as spaces to organise events, "but the main support the network receives is from the international organisation", she added.**** ** ** The network now faces an uncertain future as the medical committee will withdraw its assistance in the next six months, leaving the network without any sponsor for its continued activities. **** ** ** "We have asked other foreign organisations for financial support but failed," said Lan.**** ** ** "At present, the management plan is to offer support services and collect fees to keep the network running, but the plan has yet to be made clear," she revealed.**** ** ** The problem facing the Sunflower network became more common after Viet Nam officially was classified as a middle-income country, according to experts.* *** ** ** Tien said social organisations might become less active due to the decrease in funding. **** ** ** The lack of financial support, however, is not the only obstacle for organisations delivering HIV prevention service and care. **** ** ** Tran Tien Duc, former head of the health policy initiatives project under the United States Agency for International Development, said limited governance capacity, stability and accountability were common weaknesses that the organisations must overcome. **** ** ** "Many community-based organisations lack sufficient organisational capacity and a strategic vision," added Tien.**** ** ** He also said that there had not been a strategy or orientation plan made for the sustainable development of organisations. **** ** ** Venerable Thich Dong Nguyen, deputy head of the Anti-HIV society under the Buddhism Academy, said religious involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention needed greater consistency and direction. **** ** ** "There should be a co-ordinator who engages the religious society in HIV-AIDS activities."**** ** ** Nguyen's opinion mirrored Tien's position. He said there must be a mechanism to control and co-ordinate the resources of civil organisations for HIV/AIDS response. **** ** ** Tien said the Government's management over HIV/AIDS activities was not good enough and State-governed agencies were still hesitant to offer support to community-based organisations. **** ** ** "Only those whose activities were funded by the Viet Nam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control were really under the Government's management." **** ** ** Tien said there needed to be better co-operation between the Government and the civil society to ensure more effective HIV prevention. **** ** ** Both Tien and Duc said there was a lack of a clear and consistent legal framework to encourage the establishment and operation of civil organisations, as the law for them had yet to be issued and requirements for their registration were still complicated.**** **** Tien added that the Government should enact policies to support social organisations' activities, especially those in HIV/AIDS response, as the civil society played a key role in delivering care and support to people with HIV.**** ** ** "Community-based organisations have helped the Government a lot by taking the initiatives to deal with many issues which the Government itself has failed to resolve because of its overwhelming workload". ? VNS**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Violent prejudice against ****Jamaica****'s gay people must stop**** The Guardian, ****UK******** 27/01/2012**** ** ** Maurice Tomlinson**** ** ** Almost a year to the day that David Kato, the Ugandan human rights activist, was murdered in his home because of his sexuality, I am flying from Toronto to London to accept the inaugural the David Kato Voice and Vision Award, which recognises individuals who uphold the human rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people around the world. I should have been flying from Jamaica my country of birth and, until very recently, my home. After the ceremony I should be returning there to celebrate with fellow activists.**** ** ** But this time there's no going home. In August last year I married Tom, a former police officer and a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. Media reports of my marriage, in Jamaica, have led to an increase in the threats against my life and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has written to the Jamaican government for the second time in a year inquiring what measures it will take to guarantee my safety. So far, the government has failed to respond.**** ** ** Threats are nothing new for me. It's only the intensity that's changed. I'm a lawyer and activist in Jamaica, which has the distinction of being regarded as one of the most violently homophobic countries in the world. In a recent survey 82% of Jamaican people said they were prejudiced against gay people. Vigilante attacks against gay men are common ? at least 35 people have been murdered because of their sexuality since 1997. Last year, two men were hacked to death because they were gay. The latest victim was a 16-year-old youth chopped to death in his home by early morning invaders because of his "questionable relations" with another man.**** ** ** Former prime minister Bruce Golding set a tone of impunity for those prepared to use violence against gay people in Jamaica: during a BBC Hardtalk interview in 2008 he said that he would not allow gay people to be a part of his cabinet. According to the law, consensual sex between two men in Jamaica will get you 10 years of imprisonment and hard labour. Any "act of gross indecency" ? kissing for instance ? will get you two years.**** ** ** The law is rarely enforced. More often, police use it for extortion. But the fact such a law exists inflames the vigilante groups. Even the police officer who recorded my first death-threat report ranted at me that he "hates gays, who deserve to die". In the past year, I have received three death threats for speaking out against the country's ferocious homophobia.** ** ** ** The threats to my life are a personal tragedy, but sadly not an uncommon one. Discrimination, stigma and abuse are the daily reality for millions of gay people. And now the battle has become entangled with the politics of aid.**** ** ** Recently the Commonwealth faced up to its human rights record ? particularly the criminalisation of homosexuality. David Cameron made it clear that states refusing to decriminalise homosexuality risk losing British aid. Ironically, however, he failed to acknowledge or apologise for Britain's role in imposing the anti-sodomy law on its former colonies, while his emphasis on homosexuality is inadvertently discriminatory as it ignores other egregious human rights violations being perpetuated in these countries.**** ** ** His intentions might have been well meaning but they are also counterproductive: trying to force people to change their attitudes and cultural beliefs can play into the hands of repressive regimes ? by portraying sexual rights as an imposition of "western colonialism". It allows them to mask broader issues of human rights, governance and corruption. Some countries use the issues of homosexuality to hide their own failures and show how donor communities are promulgating "gay lifestyles".**** ** ** Instead, aid should be linked to good governance. Countries need to meet their wider human rights obligation by observing the indivisibility of rights. As Hillary Clinton said at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva: "Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct, but in fact they are one and the same." (The US, however, has not done enough to curtail its own export of homophobia to countries such as mine by American evangelical Christian groups.)**** ** ** For two years, I have collected the reports of victims as a legal adviser for international advocacy organisation Aids-Free World. Now I'm taking them to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, since the Jamaican Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms protects the laws against "sexual offences" from constitutional review.**** ** ** The culmination of the work the charity and our Jamaican partners have been doing over the past two years is an unprecedented legal challenge to the Jamaican anti-sodomy law. If successful, it could be the beginning of the end of the criminalisation of homosexuals in Jamaica, and undoubtedly have a knock-on effect throughout the Caribbean. However, the Jamaican government could make the commission petition redundant by simply repealing the anti-sodomy law.**** ** ** The new Jamaican prime minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, has indicated that she would have no objections to selecting a gay person for her cabinet. She also promised to call for a parliamentary conscience vote on the law. Let's hope she does so soon.**** ** ** The reports of violence against Jamaican LGBTI remind me what we're fighting for. When I receive the David Kato award I will represent the millions of individuals worldwide whose lives are a daily struggle against hostility and persecution simply because of their sexuality.**** ** ** *2* East Africans warn funding cuts will increase AIDS deaths**** Reuters AlertNet**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Katy Migiro **** ** ** NAIROBI (AlertNet) ? Hundreds of HIV-positive Kenyans protested outside the European Union?s Nairobi office on Monday, accusing the EU of causing unnecessary deaths by cutting funding to the world?s largest financial backer of the fight against HIV/AIDS.**** ** ** The public-private Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said in November it had run out of money to pay for the next two years for new grants for countries battling these diseases. The demonstrators called on the Global Fund to hold an emergency donor conference to raise $2 billion so developing countries can apply for grants this year.**** ** ** ?We are just burying a grenade that is going to explode in future,? said Peter Mugyenyi, a scientist involved in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in neighbouring Uganda, who travelled to Kenya to take part in the demonstration.**** ** ** ?If we don?t increase funding now, we already know that the transmission of HIV is going to increase.?**** ** ** Demonstrators warned that people will stop going for HIV-testing and stigma will increase if it becomes harder for people to access free antiretroviral drugs.**** ** ** ?How many people will go for HIV-testing when drugs are not available? You?d rather not know and leave it like that,? said Paul Ndegwa, one of the demonstrators, who has been living with the disease for 18 years.**** ** ** The Global Fund pays for about 40 percent of Kenya?s antiretroviral drugs, according to Nelson Otwoma, national coordinator of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya.**** ** ** Just over half of Kenyans needing treatment are currently receiving it ? some 400,000 people, he said.**** ** ** The Global Fund accounts for around a quarter of international financing to fight HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** TREATMENT AS PREVENTION**** Funding is being withdrawn at a critical time in the battle against HIV/AIDS, activists said.**** ** ** ?The concept now is treatment as prevention,? said Ndegwa.**** ** ** Recent scientific studies have shown that getting timely drug treatment to people living with HIV can significantly cut the number of new infections.** ** ** ** A person put on treatment earlier is 96 percent less likely to transmit the virus, and a dramatic increase in the number of people receiving treatment has cut mortality rates.**** ** ** In sub-Saharan Africa, treatment coverage increased by 30 percent in 2010, according to the medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres.**** ** ** MISUSE OF FUNDS**** An ongoing economic crisis hitting big donor countries has hit funding. But so has the fact that the credibility of the Global Fund has came into question**** ** ** Last year, the fund reported "grave misuse of funds" in four recipient nations, prompting donors such as Germany and Sweden to freeze their donations.**** ** ** And earlier this month its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, stepped down early following criticism over misuse of funds.**** ** ** However, campaigners said stepping up investment in the Global Fund now is important to save both lives and money in the long term.**** ** ** ?We want action now so that we don?t come to the stage where people are dying at the rate of (the) 1990s,? said Mugyenyi.**** ** ** *3* Helping HIV Patients in ****Lebanon******** Reuters AlertNet**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** It was a stormy January day, but ?M? had to pick up her kids early from school in order to make it on time for her appointment in Sin El Fil on time. The 45 year old mother of three is one of an estimated 3,600 persons living with HIV in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Public Health.**** ** ** Lebanon is considered one of the lower ranked countries when it comes to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. But, that does not diminish the challenges facing people living with HIV.**** ** ** ?I felt like I was going through hell,? M declares, as she recounts her experience with HIV/AIDS, including all the difficulty and suffering she endured before being correctly diagnosed. ?I suffered terribly for many months, all the while being unable to take care of myself and my children.?* *** ** ** When she finally knew she was HIV positive, her world ?turned upside down.? Even more, she was unable to share the news with anyone around her ?for fear of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS?. In fact, such stigma takes multiple severe forms in Lebanon, including social isolation, economic exclusion, and total abandonment. ?Only through the medical, social and human support of SIDC have I been able to stand on my two feet and resume leading a ?normal? life,? she declares.**** ** ** SIDC ? Soins Infirmiers et Developpement Communautaire ? is situated in a quiet neighborhood in Sin El Fil, East of Beirut. It was founded in 1987 with the mission of meeting ?the health needs of the youth, elderly and the most vulnerable individuals and groups in Lebanon through community empowerment?. Nadia Badran, Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS Program at SIDC, explains that the organization struggles to ?provide the much-needed support to persons living with HIV through various services, which include medication, psychological support, nutrition counseling, social guidance, home visits and peer education.?**** ** ** One of the major challenges that face persons living with HIV in Lebanon is access to healthcare and social services. Often organizations like SIDC provide these services, but operate on a very limited budget. That?s where ANERA has been able to help. Through its partnership with YMCA-Lebanon, ANERA recently delivered a much-needed donation of the anti-retroviral medicine Didanosine. . The 3,160 packages of Didanosine valued over $180,000 were kindly donated by AmeriCares Foundation. This is the third year in a row that ANERA has delivered life-saving anti-retroviral medicines donated by AmeriCares to SIDC, which have included Abacavir, Lamivudine, Nevirapine, Zidovudine, and Saquinavir.**** ** ** Nadia Badran adds, ?PLHIV has witnessed periods of medicine shortage in the past; having enough stock of medicines ensures medical and emotional stability for PLHIV?. ?But, it is our responsibility to make sure our beneficiaries know how to use their medicines and how to take care of themselves while using them.? **** ** ** ?We are happy to be able to contribute to alleviating the sufferings of people living with HIV/Aids in Lebanon,? adds Dima Zayat, ANERA?s medical in-kind program coordinator, ?We believe that people living with HIV have the right to work, family and access to health care.?**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** M?xico frente al VIH: un panorama adverso para 2012 **** ****El Universal**, **Mexico******** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Daniel Joloy **** *Director del ?rea Internacional de la CMDPDH. * ** ** El 2012 ha iniciado con noticias negativas en materia de VIH y derechos humanos que plantean a M?xico un panorama adverso para el futuro cercano. En d?as recientes, la CNDH report? un incremento en las violaciones a derechos humanos en contra de personas que viven con el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana-S?ndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (VIH-SIDA), as? como un mayor estigma y discriminaci?n en su contra. Por otro lado, a lo largo de 2011, fueron denunciados continuos desabastos de medicamentos antirretrovirales para su atenci?n y tratamiento, lo que demuestra que, contrario a lo que ha argumentado el Gobierno Federal, el acceso universal para este tipo de medicamentos a?n no est? garantizado. Aunado a todo ello, a partir de este a?o M?xico dejar? de recibir recursos del Fondo Mundial de la Lucha contra el SIDA, la malaria y la tuberculosis. **** ** ** Hoy en d?a viven en nuestro pa?s aproximadamente 225 mil personas portadoras del VIH, de quienes se estima que 80% son hombres. Seg?n estudios de la Secretar?a de Salud, cerca del 60% de quienes son portadores del VIH lo desconocen, y ?nicamente el 27% de los pacientes reciben tratamiento antirretroviral. **** ** ** Sin embargo, a pesar de que el total de casos acumulados en M?xico de personas que viven con VIH contin?a aumentando, a?n no est? garantizado el abasto permanente de medicamentos antirretrovirales para su tratamiento. Si bien en los ?ltimos cuatro a?os se duplic? el presupuesto destinado a la compra de medicinas para controlar el VIH, el acceso a un tratamiento adecuado no est? garantizado, seg?n las propias declaraciones del Centro Nacional para la Prevenci?n y Control del SIDA (Censida). **** ** ** La cancelaci?n de la Ronda 11 del Fondo Mundial y la disminuci?n de los recursos financieros internacionales para solventar programas de prevenci?n y atenci?n del VIH exigen de nuestras autoridades la elaboraci?n de una nueva estrategia que permita contar con los recursos adecuados para garantizar, por un lado, la atenci?n adecuada a todas las personas que viven con VIH-SIDA en M?xico, y por el otro, contar con programas efectivos de prevenci?n del VIH. **** ** ** Es fundamental para ello hacer un an?lisis de fondo sobre las estrategias de prevenci?n y control del VIH las cuales se han centrado hist?ricamente en grupos particulares, o ?poblaciones en riesgo?, tales como los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), trabajadores y trabajadoras sexuales (TS) y usuarias y usuarios de drogas inyectables (UDI). Sin embargo, ante las adversidades que se prev?n en el panorama, resulta urgente generar pol?ticas p?blicas sectorizadas por grupo poblacional que vayan m?s all? de las generalidades grupales dirigidas a cambiar patrones de conducta. **** ** ** Es particularmente necesario desarrollar pol?ticas p?blicas de prevenci?n que genuinamente incorporen una perspectiva de derechos humanos y un enfoque de g?nero para fomentar un cambio en los patrones de conducta y evitar as? conductas riesgosas que faciliten la transmisi?n del VIH. Se requiere transitar de un enfoque de ?poblaciones en riesgo? hacia un enfoque preventivo que evite las ?pr?cticas de riesgo?. **** ** ** Para ello, resulta fundamental analizar a profundidad los efectos reales de los programas y pol?ticas p?blicas implementadas hasta la fecha para evitar futuras transmisiones del VIH. Si bien las estrategias de atenci?n al VIH-SIDA han estado en cierto modo focalizadas a grupos particulares que por sus conductas regulares presentan una mayor vulnerabilidad de contagio, a?n es necesario entender y analizar dichos programas seg?n las pr?cticas de riesgo en las que incurren, m?s all? de su propia pertenencia a dicho sector poblacional. **** ** ** Para alcanzar dicho objetivo se requieren pol?ticas de prevenci?n libres de estereotipos y que tomen en cuenta la diversidad sexual, ponderando ante todo el respeto por los derechos humanos y la perspectiva de g?nero, factores fundamentales para la correcta elaboraci?n de una pol?tica p?blica que pueda ser realmente efectiva en la prevenci?n de lo que ha sido por los ?ltimos a?os el mayor problema de salud p?blica a nivel mundial. **** ** ** El Estado mexicano tiene la obligaci?n de implementar pol?ticas p?blicas progresivas que garanticen el tratamiento y cuidado de la salud de todas las personas que viven con VIH-SIDA, la cual debe de incluir pol?ticas de prevenci?n, atenci?n, tratamiento y control de la infecci?n para garantizar la m?s alta calidad de vida de las y los usuarios del sector salud. El desabasto en medicamentos b?sicos para la atenci?n y tratamiento del VIH, as? como el aumento de violaciones a derechos humanos relacionadas con el estigma y la discriminaci?n, pone de manifiesto el incumplimiento de nuestras autoridades en materia de acceso a la salud y VIH. **** ** ** *2**4***** Cuba: una eficaz estrategia en la lucha contra el SIDA. **** Radio ****Habana**, **Cuba******** 26/01/2012**** ** ** Por Mar?a Josefina Arce.**** ** ** El Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo apoya la lucha contra el SIDA en 17 pa?ses, entre ellos Cuba, que se ubica entre los de mejores resultados en el enfrentamiento a esa enfermedad que desde su aparici?n en el siglo pasado no ha dejado de hacer estragos entre la poblaci?n mundial.** ** ** ** M?s de treinta millones de personas han muerto en el planeta desde que hace tres d?cadas se conoci? el primer caso. Actualmente millones de personas viven con la enfermedad.**** ** ** Basada fundamentalmente en la prevenci?n, promoci?n y educaci?n sexual la estrategia de la Mayor de las Antillas ha posibilitado que califique entre las naciones de Latinoam?rica con m?s bajo ?ndice de infestados con el virus.**** ** ** Carlos Cort?s Falla, asesor principal en Cuba del Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo, reconoci? en La Habana la eficacia de la prevenci?n del VIH SIDA en el archipi?lago cubano, por lo que la instituci?n que representa decidi? extender hasta el 2014 su financiamiento a las estrategias de respuesta al VIH-Sida en el pa?s.**** ** ** Representantes de esa entidad y del Fondo Global han destacado el buen uso que hace Cuba de los recursos que recibe, los cuales destina al tratamiento de los infestados, quienes reciben de manera gratuita y sistem?tica los costos?simos medicamentos antirretrovirales, en cualquiera de las 320 unidades m?dicas que ofrecen este servicio a la largo del pa?s.**** ** ** Tambi?n los fondos que se reciben se destinan a evitar la propagaci?n de la pandemia. En ese camino tienen gran importancia el desarrollo en Cuba de sistem?ticas campa?as informativas y de orientaci?n, en las que participan organizaciones de masas y diversas instituciones. Gracias a este esfuerzo se ha logrado romper muchos tab?es imperantes en la sociedad cubana, y que a la larga, pod?an aumentar el riesgo de un contagio.**** ** ** Fundamentales han sido los promotores voluntarios, que sin recibir remuneraci?n, motivados ya sea por solidaridad o por experiencias personales o de amigos y familiares, dedican parte de su tiempo a distintos proyectos encaminados a prevenir y evitar la propagaci?n del SIDA.**** ** ** Tambi?n ha sido esencial el servicio especializado que funciona en cada una de las provincias del pa?s, las llamadas Consejer?as An?nimas, que adem?s de brindar informaci?n especializada, ofrece ayuda psicol?gica, emocional, y, en caso de ser necesario, agiliza la aplicaci?n de la prueba r?pida de detecci?n del virus.**** ** ** Todav?a queda mucho por hacer, pues aunque gracias al accionar del pa?s, las v?as de transmisi?n sangu?nea y materno-infantil, han sido eliminadas como problemas de salud, todav?a se mantiene el eventual contagio por la sexual. De ah? que las autoridades no descuiden la labor preventiva y de educaci?n para motivar acciones responsables, fundamentalmente entre los m?s j?venes.**** ** ** En la lucha contra el sida es v?lido tambi?n el consejo de Jos? Mart? en el sentido de que "la mejor medicina no es la que cura, sino la que precave".** ** ** ** *5* ****Guyana**** health ministry to focus on STIs overshadowed by HIV**** ****Stabroek News**, **Guyana******** 28/01/2012**** ** ** By Stabroek staff**** ** ** Guyana?s first comprehensive Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Strategic Plan is now a reality and the Ministry of Health is developing a two-year work schedule that will focus on the priority areas.**** ** ** The plan, which will place more focus on diseases that have been overshadowed by HIV, was in the making since last year and is now set to be implemented by 2020. It is expected to assist health officials in addressing STIs in the same way HIV has been addressed.**** ** ** On Friday 27 January, the ministry held a workshop at the Grand Coastal Inn, by the end of which key stakeholders would have assisted in identifying the priority area to focus on first.**** ** ** According to Head of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) Dr Shanti Singh, HIV is just one of many STIs, which are significant and have life-threatening consequences.**** ** ** It is what stakeholders learnt from the HIV programme that triggered the STI strategic plan. Singh said the plan, along with its monitoring and evaluation, will be the road map to organizing a response to the other STIs, similar to the HIV response.**** ** ** ?So it?s really bringing all the other sexually transmitted infections that traditionally a lot of persons would go over the counter and just buy a red and black capsule [for treatment]; it is really bringing the focus on some of those things that needs to be streamlined,? she added.**** ** ** Dr Singh said the streamlining would include looking at how the STIs are managed and also how they progress; contact tracing; and partner notification.**** ** ** The plan also will bring together all of the ministry?s efforts in the area and coordinate one standard of care across the health sector and the ministry will seek to work closely with the private sector and the non-governmental organisations.**** ** ** The strategy has identified five priority areas: the strengthening of STI programme management and coordination; promoting healthy sexual behaviours to reduce the transmission of STIs; expanding access to STI prevention, care and treatment in the health sector; increasing access to medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and laboratory support; and improving the availability of strategic information.**** ** ** At a workshop last year, which had looked at the draft of the plan, it was stated that it was in recognition of the serious health, social, emotional and economic consequences of STIs that a strategic plan was developed by the Ministry of Health. The ministry, through NAPS, is committed to providing national leadership in collaboration with local, regional, national and international partners to develop the plan to manage and prevent STIs in Guyana.**** ** ** The main goal is to ?reduce the transmission and morbidity and mortality caused by STIs and to minimise the personal and social impact of the infections.?**** ** ** A 2004 study had found that awareness of STIs among the most at-risk populations was generally high, with rates of ?self-reported leak and genital sores/boils? noted among female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM) and in school youth, with the lowest rates seen for the military and police. However, according to the draft plan, there was no baseline information on STI knowledge and behaviour in the general population and very limited data is available on the prevalence of specific STIs in either the general population or in higher risk groups, such as female sex workers and MSM.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** AIDS Prevention Inspires Ways to Make Circumcisions Easier**** The New York Times**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.**** ** ** The day of the assembly-line circumcision is drawing closer. **** ** ** Now that three studies have shown that circumcising adult heterosexual men is one of the most effective ?vaccines? against AIDS ? reducing the chances of infection by 60 percent or more ? public health experts are struggling to find ways to make the process faster, cheaper and safer. **** ** ** The goal is to circumcise 20 million African men by 2015, but only about 600,000 have had the operation thus far. Even a skilled surgeon takes about 15 minutes, most African countries are desperately short of surgeons, and there is no Mohels Without Borders. **** ** ** So donors are pinning their hopes on several devices now being tested to speed things up. **** ** ** Dr. Stefano Bertozzi, director of H.I.V. for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said it had its eyes on two, named PrePex and the Shang Ring, and was supporting efforts by the World Health Organization to evaluate them. **** ** ** Circumcision is believe to protect heterosexual men because the foreskin has many Langerhans cells, which pick up viruses and ?present? them to the immune system ? which H.I.V. attacks. **** ** ** PrePex, invented in 2009 by four Israelis after one of them, a urologist, heard an appeal for doctors to do circumcisions in Africa, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration three weeks ago. The W.H.O. will make a decision on it soon, said Mitchell Warren, an AIDS-prevention expert who closely follows the process. **** ** ** >From the initial safety studies done so far, PrePex is clearly faster, less painful and more bloodless than any of its current rivals. And it relies on the simplest and least-threatening technology ? a rubber band. **** ** ** The band compresses the foreskin against a plastic ring slipped inside it; the foreskin dies within hours for lack of blood and, after a week, falls off or can be clipped off ?like a fingernail,? said Tzameret Fuerst, the company?s chief executive officer, who compared the process to the stump of an umbilical cord?s shriveling up and dropping off a few days after it is clamped. **** ** ** It is done with topical anesthetic cream, and there is usually no bleeding. And PrePex can be put in place and removed by nurses with about three days? training. **** ** ** The rings come in five sizes, A through E, Ms. Fuerst said, ?and you won?t believe how high-tech the rubber band is.? Each size must apply just enough pressure to cut off blood flow without being tight enough to cause pain. *** * ** ** The W.H.O., Mr. Warren said, is also evaluating the Shang Ring, a plastic two-ring clamp developed in China to treat conditions in which the foreskin becomes so tight that it cuts off urination. **** ** ** However, it requires cutting off the excess foreskin beyond the clamp, which means the circumciser must inject anesthetics directly into the penis and groin, wait for them to take effect, create a sterile surgical field and be trained in minor surgery. **** ** ** ?The Shang is not as fast, but it?s faster than full-fledged surgery,? Mr. Warren said. ?And it hasn?t submitted as much safety data.? **** ** ** In a safety study presented at an AIDS conference last month, scientists from Rwanda?s health ministry said they had used PrePex to circumcise 590 men. Only two had ?moderate? complications; one was fixed with a single suture, and one required a new band in a different spot. **** ** ** According to Dr. Jason Reed, an epidemiologist in the global AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 of 590, or 0.34 percent, is a tenth the typical complication rate of surgical circumcision. **** ** ** None of the men became infected. **** ** ** On the 10-point pain scale, they reported on average only about 1 when the ring was placed and only 3 when it was removed (about the same level of pain caused by erections during the week they wore it). **** ** ** By the end of the study, the two-nurse teams could do a procedure in three minutes. **** ** ** By contrast, Dr. Reed said, the best surgical ?assembly lines? ? a practice being pioneered in Africa with American taxpayer support ? can get down to seven minutes per patient, but only by getting six nurses and a surgeon into a tight harmony?.*continued.* See Full Text: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/health/aids-prevention-inspires-ways-to-simplify-circumcision.html?pagewanted=1&sq=aids&st=cse&scp=3 **** ** ** *2* New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect**** The New York Times**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By Yasmeen Khan**** ** ** Truth or myth?**** ** ** Girls can?t get pregnant the first time they have sex. (Myth.) **** ** ** Using a latex condom correctly every time you have sexual intercourse is very effective in preventing H.I.V. (Truth.)**** ** ** Now that New York City has mandated lessons on sexual health, starting this semester students in health classes may go through similar exercises in truths vs. myths when talking about preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. During a unit on abstinence, they may role-play a situation where a student resists pressure to have sex. Or they may read about developing healthy relationships and raising self-esteem. *** * ** ** Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott announced in August that public middle schools and high schools would be required to fold sex education lessons into existing health classes, which already cover topics like nutrition, physical activity and preventing injuries. **** ** ** New York State requires that students receive at least a semester of health education in either sixth or seventh grade and again in either ninth or 10th grade. But those health classes didn?t have to include sex education. * *** ** ** Some districts took extra steps, and many schools voluntarily added sexual health to their curriculums, including here in New York City. But not all of them. That led to concerns by advocates of sex education, including Planned Parenthood, that the city lacked a consistent approach.**** ** ** The new sex education mandate takes effect this spring term, which begins on Tuesday for high school students. **** ** ** Q.What will be taught?**** A.The city?s Department of Education does not mandate that schools use a certain curriculum, but it does recommend one: HealthSmart for middle school students. For high school students, it recommends HealthSmart alongside a book called ?Reducing the Risk.? **** ** ** The Education Department tailored the national versions for New York City, so that the materials would not overlap with existing lessons on H.I.V. New York State already requires that all schools provide education on H.I.V./AIDS for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.**** ** ** City education officials offer guidelines on what should be covered as part of sexual health education. **** ** ** Depending on the child?s grade, topics would include physiology and understanding the male and female reproductive systems; recognizing healthy and unhealthy relationships; sexuality and sexual identity; handling unwanted sexual advances; the benefits of abstinence; birth control methods; and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. **** ** ** For instance, in a lesson on abstinence in HealthSmart, one worksheet asks students to write a letter to a sixth-grade student explaining why he or she should wait to have sex. In the curriculum?s unit on sexuality, the teacher?s manual asks that teachers welcome questions and ?demonstrate openness and acceptance? with words, tone and facial expressions. **** ** ** Teachers may verbalize how to use condoms correctly. Condom demonstrations are only allowed in health resource rooms in high schools.**** ** ** Lessons are meant to be co-ed.**** ** ** Q.What parts of the curriculum can (or cannot) parents opt out of? **** A.Some parent groups have criticized the city?s new policy, saying it is too graphic or that they would prefer abstinence-only lessons. Parents who object to lessons on birth control and preventing S.T.D.?s can write a letter to their child?s principal to opt out of some classes. The letter must stipulate that students will receive that instruction at home.**** ** ** Parents cannot opt out of lessons on abstinence or sexual health education.* *** ** ** Education officials say it is up to schools to communicate with parents about what is being taught and when. Principals must send a notification letter about the new sex education mandate home.**** ** ** Q.Who will teach these classes?**** A.In middle and high schools, health classes must be taught by a licensed health teacher. Education officials say the department?s Office of School Wellness Programs is providing free training on the recommended sex education curriculum to teachers and administrators. **** *3* Ten Years of The Global Fund: a Crossroads and a Choice**** Huffington Post**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Nancy Mahon and Kevin Robert Frost**** ** ** Ten years ago, 19,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa were the first to receive free HIV treatment. That was 0.1% of all the people living with HIV in the region that year. Paying for these drugs was a bold move by the Botswana government -- one that said to the world, "We're not going to wait for you to help us" -- but it wasn't nearly enough to begin to end the epidemic. **** ** ** Thankfully, the people of Botswana didn't have to go it alone. Days after their government announced that it would begin paying for treatment, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created. Now, a decade later, more than 5 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa (almost 7 million worldwide) are receiving life-saving treatment thanks to the Global Fund and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). **** ** ** It's easy to take this accomplishment for granted, but treatment everywhere in the world has been the result of an unprecedented collaboration between advocates, healthcare workers, and governments alike. Thanks to private individuals, celebrities, corporations, and other donors, organizations including our own and the Global Fund have been able to discover more effective HIV technologies, reduce the price of drugs, and deliver treatment and care to those in need. From the Caribbean to Asia, millions of lives have been saved by the generosity of people everywhere in the world. **** ** ** Since 2002, the Global Fund has distributed more than $22 billion in grants to 150 countries. As a result, 3.3 million people have received HIV treatment and more than 1 million pregnant women have received the drugs they needed to prevent HIV infection in their babies. These results aren't exclusive to HIV, though: More than 230 million people have received treatment for malaria and 7.7 million for tuberculosis over the last decade. **** ** ** Ten years of hard work. Millions of lives saved. This should be a moment to celebrate. Unfortunately, the fight begins again. **** ** ** Economic uncertainty and donor skittishness have combined to threaten the future of the Global Fund. For the first time since 2002, the Fund has had to cancel any new grant making due to a lack of resources. While millions will continue to receive the benefit of current programs, progress will stagnate. On top of this, news of a transition in leadership at the Global Fund has created anxiety where none is required. **** ** ** This couldn't come at a worse time. Recent science has shown us that we have the power to end the AIDS epidemic. Last May, researchers discovered that early initiation of HIV treatment can reduce the chance that a partner will become infected with HIV by 96%. Scientific knowledge of HIV and its vulnerabilities has advanced to the point where we can not only save lives, but we can begin to end the disease all together. To do so, we must expand treatment now, everywhere to everyone. Ending the AIDS epidemic is no longer a hopeful metaphor -- it is a choice. Do we begin to end this disease now, or do we blithely pass it on to future generations?**** ** ** The Obama Administration has made its decision, calling for an "AIDS-Free Generation" on World AIDS Day 2011 and recommitting to the Global Fund and PEPFAR as equally important partners. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Saudi Arabian Government have as well; each recently announced additional resources for the Global Fund to ensure it can continue doing its work. **** ** ** Last week the world marked the 10th anniversary of the Global Fund. We must use the momentum from this moment to make the choice starkly clear. As a global community, we can act on our new knowledge and make the relatively modest investments in the Global Fund that could genuinely herald the end of the global AIDS epidemic. Or we can back away from our commitments and starve this extraordinary collaborative enterprise of the resources it needs to succeed, thereby depriving millions of men, women, and children of life-saving programs. It is really that simple.**** ** ** We ask you, in recognition of the 10th anniversary, wherever you are in the world, to add your voice in support of the Global Fund. Urge your legislators to renew their support for the Global Fund. Tell everyone in your neighborhood or apartment, village or town, on Facebook and Twitter: I support the Global Fund. Remind them that the failure of the Global Fund will be a collective failure of humanity to bring an end to a global epidemic that has already killed 30 million people worldwide.**** ** ** *About amfAR* *amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide. * * * *About M?A?C AIDS Fund* *The M?A?C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M?A?C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. The M?A?C AIDS Fund is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, the M?A?C AIDS Fund is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, The M?A?C AIDS Fund has raised $235 million (USD) exclusively through the sale of M?A?C's VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information visit http://www.macaidsfund.org.** *** *4* Design chosen for NYC AIDS memorial park **** Associated Press**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** *Story carried by The Wall Street Journal* ** ** NEW YORK ? A design called "Infinite Forest" is being proposed for an AIDS memorial park in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.**** ** ** The design by a team of architects at Studio a+i features groves of trees and mirrored glass surfaces.**** ** ** It won a competition held by a group campaigning to place a memorial in a triangle across from the former St. Vincent's Hospital.**** ** ** The Rudin Management Company, which bought the land after the hospital's bankruptcy, has already received partial city approval to place a park in the space. If the plans are changed substantially, that approval process would have to begin again.**** ** ** Bill Rudin says the park design on track for approval allows for a commemoration of those impacted by AIDS. He says his company will continue working "with all stakeholders?**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* ** ** ========================**** ** ** UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation **** UNAIDS**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to anchor ** Africa**?s development to the respect for human rights. ?The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a promise to all people in all places at all times,? said Mr Ban at the 18th annual meeting of the African Union.**** ** ** Mr Ban noted that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is one of the injustices that has been ignored or even sanctioned by many States. ?This has prompted some governments to treat people as second-class citizens, or even criminals. Confronting this discrimination is a challenge. But we must live up to the ideals of the Universal Declaration,? said Mr Ban.**** ** ** Currently, an estimated 76 countries and areas worldwide have laws that criminalize same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults??five impose the death penalty. UNAIDS considers the criminalization of people based on their sexual orientation a denial of human rights and a threat to public health in the context of the HIV response. Such discriminatory laws drive people underground and create obstacles for people accessing HIV services.**** ** ** Countries such as the **US** and ****UK**** have already modified their provision of foreign aid to ensure that the rights of sexual minorities are being respected. These countries will use their assistance to protect human rights and advance non-discrimination, and will work with international organizations to end discrimination against gays and lesbians.**** ** ** In 2009 the Delhi High Court overturned a law that criminalized consensual adult sexual behaviour. This stand was also supported by the Government of India in its affidavit filed with the Supreme Court. But not all countries are following ****India****?s approach.**** ** ** In June 2010, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support of the UNAIDS Secretariat, launched the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. The Commission?s aim is to increase understanding of the impact of the legal environment on national HIV responses. Its aim is to focus on how laws and law enforcement can support, rather than block, effective HIV responses.**** ** ** UNAIDS urges all governments to ensure full respect for the human rights of men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgendered people through repealing laws that prohibit sexual acts between consenting adults in private; enforcing laws to protect these groups from violence and discrimination; promoting campaigns that address homophobia and transphobia; and ensuring that crucial health needs are met.**** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/5bb5ae85/attachment.html From vern.weitzel at gmail.com Wed Feb 1 17:29:13 2012 From: vern.weitzel at gmail.com (vern weitzel) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 04:29:13 +1100 Subject: [hivaids-twg] TANZANIA: Good results in programme to boost TB detection In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 02/02/2012, at 3:29 AM, Phi Huynhdo wrote: TANZANIA: Good results in programme to boost TB detection Photo: David Gough/IRIN Better TB case detection would improve the country's treatment and prevention programmes (file photo) ARUSHA, 1 February 2012 (IRIN PlusNews) - A pilot community programme to improve TB detection in northern Tanzania has shown good results and could be replicated nationwide as the country seeks to improve its TB treatment and prevention systems. Tanzania has been battling TB for years, a struggle intensified by the parallel HIV epidemic; approximately 47 percent of new adult cases in the country are HIV-positive. Without proper treatment, about nine in 10 people living with HIV who become ill with active TB will die within two to three months, according to UNAIDS. The programme, which ran from April to September 2011, systemized the way suspected TB cases were reported and handled. It encouraged healthcare professionals to work closely with community leaders to raise awareness of symptoms at every opportunity, such as at village meetings. It also used posters and slogans to make sure high-risk groups were aware of symptoms. This produced more patient referrals to health centres for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Another crucial part of the TB pilot project was the creation of a "cough register" in each area, recording who was referred to a healthcare professional for further testing, by whom and the results of that referral. Management Science for Health collaborated with the NGO, PATH, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, at 12 health facilities in northern Tanzania's Arusha and Meru district councils. A crucial tenet of the programme was emphasising that TB and HIV treatment must be done "hand in hand". *Results* "In both districts the standard operating procedure intervention has improved TB case notification in children and women," said Zahra Mkome, director, TB/HIV projects at PATH in Tanzania. "[It] improved team work, commitment, motivation of healthcare workers, awareness and involvement of communities in TB control activities." An evaluation comparing six months of TB case notification before and after the project showed a 54 percent increase in detection of TB in all forms in Meru, while in Arusha it increased by 117 percent. The standard operating procedure ?rules? were used to provide clear and simple instructions to the health workers on how to improve TB case detection at different units and sections within health facilities, both outpatient and inpatient departments. Each area was provided with a plan and goals to implement their strategy, plus additional equipment to aid diagnosis such as paediatric score charts. Each area appointed a task force for TB treatment and these groups were encouraged to hold regular feedback meetings. Little data exists on the scale of the TB epidemic in Tanzania, and experts believe the records created by this system could prove a crucial tool in combating its spread and establishing where it is already most prevalent. One doctor based in a rural practice was particularly encouraged by the increased reporting of paediatric cases. He said some children suffering severe respiratory distress had been saved, "who in normal circumstances would have died". A number of the clinicians involved attributed an increase in notification of cases in the under-16 age group specifically to the wider use of paediatric diagnostic score charts. However, several challenges were flagged during the pilot: healthcare workers at Arusha's Selian Hospital said there was an urgent need to strengthen laboratory services to help confirm diagnoses; a lack of microscopes in labs and delays in issuing results were also highlighted. More on TB HEALTH: TB programming, research slowed by inadequate funding KENYA: Stigma holding back the fight against TB HEALTH: What's new in TB technology? SOUTHERN AFRICA: Door-to-door outreach cuts TB prevalence Drug-Resistant TB*Challenges to scale-up* Rolling out the rules on a national scale could also prove challenging as the majority of Tanzanians live in very rural areas and a poor road network means access to healthcare is limited. Mobile diagnosis and training centres that offer new methods of testing - for example, with the use of fluorescence microscopes- could make diagnosis much faster and more accurate. "Patients in Tanzania often have to travel very long distances as most live in rural areas, which costs them money to travel every day and some are essentially too week to go on their own as a very large number are already suffering from the weakness that comes with HIV," said Alex Schulzer of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, which runs patient-centred TB programmes with the government. A shortage of medical professionals could also hinder the expansion of the programme; Schulzer recommended the use of lower cadre health workers and the community itself to fill gaps. The Novartis programme gives patients the choice to either take the daily treatment at a health facility under the supervision of a medical professional, or at home, supported by a family or community member. In the case of home-based treatment, the patient and treatment supporter are required to visit the health facility once a week during the two-month intensive phase to refill prescriptions and see a medical professional. Schulzer said the programme had created a system that gave patients "the freedom not to have to walk miles to the clinic every day. "We also needed to relieve some of the healthcare providers who cannot cope with such large patient numbers on a daily basis," he added. ah/kr/mw From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Thu Feb 2 01:45:19 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:45:19 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (2012.02.01ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E20310361A@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E20310361A@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: ** Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. Star ****Africa** - HIV ? AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST * 1. IRIN PlusNews - ****TANZANIA****: Good results in programme to boost TB detection **** 2. New Times, **Rwanda** - ****Rwanda****: Nyagatare Men Avoiding HIV Tests* *** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* 1. The Hindu, ****India**** - Reform of laws on HIV sought**** 2. ****Kangla Online**, **India**** - `Many children in Manipur die of HIV, untested and untreated` **** ** ** ***EUROPE***** 1. Nature - Global health hits crisis point **** 2. The Observer - Global health hits crisis point **** 3. The Guardian - Put planet and its people at the core of sustainable development, urges report **** 4. Financial Times - The Global Fund must come of age (Editorial) **** ** ** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. Nuevo D?a, Pto Rico - Beneficios para pacientes de VIH/SIDA **** 2. Cambio de Michuac?n, Mexico - Balance del gobierno 2008-2012 y disidentes sexuales **** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** 1. TIME Magazine - Can New Circumcision Devices Help Fight AIDS in **Africa* *?**** 2. Sun Herald - AIDS treatment on Indian reservations clouded by secrets, stigma**** 3. Carin?s New York Business - Coming soon: over-the-counter oral AIDS test **** 4. Associated Press - SAfrica recalls 1.35 million condoms handed out during ANC celebrations over claims of flaws**** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* 1. UNAIDS ? Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair **** ** ** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** HIV ? AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)**** Star **Africa****** 01/02/2012**** ** ** ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) held its General Assembly, today 30 January 2012, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: ?An HIV/AIDS free tomorrow needs caring men and women today?. **** ** ** The OAFLA General Assembly was chaired by Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union. **** ** ** The First Lady of Ethiopia, Mrs Azeb Mesfin was the first to address the audience in her capacity of hostess and former President of OAFLA. She stated that her three years as president of OAFLA gave her a lot of pride, OAFLA being a real step up for the role of First Ladies. According to First Lady Mesfin, the association not only fights against AIDS but also promotes values such as peace, good governance and women empowerment. She explained that, First Ladies have the capacity to influence change through their collective voices, ?they have become the voice of the most vulnerable?, she noted. Mrs. Mesfin underlined the necessity to empower women, as empowerment is the key to protect them from HIV/AIDS. **** ** ** Mrs Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and President of the OAFLA welcomed newcomers. They are: the First Ladies of Cape Verde, Comoros, Southern Sudan, and Zambia. She commended the establishment of a permanent Secretariat for the association in 2009 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and the record attendance during a meeting of the technical advisers which took place last week in Addis Ababa. The meeting grouped 21 advisers sent by the First Ladies. The President of OAFLA then summarized the main achievements during her mandate including: the reduction of Mother to Child Transmission, the promotion of effective communication, advocacy, networking and mobilization of resources and the revitalization of the OAFLA membership. When concluding her speech, she recalled the importance of having an inclusive, comprehensive and flexible agenda in order to include other issues such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, gender-based violence and poverty. ?OAFLA can no longer only be about HIV/AIDS?, she said. **** ** ** Mrs Ban Soon-Taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary General, was the guest of honor at the AOFLA General Assembly. in her speech, Mrs. Ban stated that, the momentum is building and the support for this project is increasing, therefore an AIDS free generation can be reality in a few years. She said saving the lives of children and their mothers is the main goal. ?The improvement of reproductive health services? she said, was also a means to decrease vulnerability factors while highlighting the advantages of couple oriented solutions and the need to have high profile champions in all countries to lead the process in the sensitization campaign. **** ** ** Addressing the African First Ladies, Commissioner Gawanas underlined men involvement in the fight against AIDS. She said men are often blamed and left out when they also have sexual and reproductive health needs that have to be addressed. She recalled the campaign against HIV-AIDS and the effort of the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union to eradicate mother to child transmission to zero. **** ** ** Mr. Michel Sidib?, Executive Director of UNAIDS, on his part, assured the OAFLA members of his support. He congratulated the First Ladies for their efforts aimed at bringing a change in the way people perceived the pandemic and how this has improved the lives of many. He underscored the importance for African countries to look for its own source of financing. ?We are now going through a ?Make it or Break it? phase and we need to find ways to produce our own drugs and look into ways to transfer technologies?, he reiterated. **** ** ** Other key speakers at the General Assembly of OAFLA include: the UNFPA Country Representative and Representative to AU and ECA, Mr. Beno?t Kalasa, RAND Cooperation Representative with OAFLA Dr. Gery Ryan and African AIDS Vaccine Partnership Executive Director Dr. Chidi Victor Nweneka. **** Provided by PR Newswire **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ****TANZANIA****: Good results in programme to boost TB detection **** IRIN PlusNews**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** ARUSHA, 1 February 2012 (PlusNews) - A pilot community programme to improve TB detection in northern Tanzania has shown good results and could be replicated nationwide as the country seeks to improve its TB treatment and prevention systems. **** ** ** Tanzania has been battling TB for years, a struggle intensified by the parallel HIV epidemic; approximately 47 percent of new adult cases in the country are HIV-positive. Without proper treatment, about nine in 10 people living with HIV who become ill with active TB will die within two to three months, according to UNAIDS. **** ** ** The programme, which ran from April to September 2011, systemized the way suspected TB cases were reported and handled. It encouraged healthcare professionals to work closely with community leaders to raise awareness of symptoms at every opportunity, such as at village meetings. It also used posters and slogans to make sure high-risk groups were aware of symptoms. This produced more patient referrals to health centres for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. **** ** ** Another crucial part of the TB pilot project was the creation of a "cough register" in each area, recording who was referred to a healthcare professional for further testing, by whom and the results of that referral. **** ** ** Management Science for Health collaborated with the NGO, PATH, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, at 12 health facilities in northern Tanzania's Arusha and Meru district councils. A crucial tenet of the programme was emphasising that TB and HIV treatment must be done "hand in hand". **** ** ** Results **** "In both districts the standard operating procedure intervention has improved TB case notification in children and women," said Zahra Mkome, director, TB/HIV projects at PATH in Tanzania. "[It] improved team work, commitment, motivation of healthcare workers, awareness and involvement of communities in TB control activities." **** ** ** An evaluation comparing six months of TB case notification before and after the project showed a 54 percent increase in detection of TB in all forms in Meru, while in Arusha it increased by 117 percent. **** ** ** The standard operating procedure ?rules? were used to provide clear and simple instructions to the health workers on how to improve TB case detection at different units and sections within health facilities, both outpatient and inpatient departments. Each area was provided with a plan and goals to implement their strategy, plus additional equipment to aid diagnosis such as paediatric score charts. Each area appointed a task force for TB treatment and these groups were encouraged to hold regular feedback meetings. **** ** ** Little data exists on the scale of the TB epidemic in Tanzania, and experts believe the records created by this system could prove a crucial tool in combating its spread and establishing where it is already most prevalent. ** ** ** ** One doctor based in a rural practice was particularly encouraged by the increased reporting of paediatric cases. He said some children suffering severe respiratory distress had been saved, "who in normal circumstances would have died". A number of the clinicians involved attributed an increase in notification of cases in the under-16 age group specifically to the wider use of paediatric diagnostic score charts. **** ** ** However, several challenges were flagged during the pilot: healthcare workers at Arusha's Selian Hospital said there was an urgent need to strengthen laboratory services to help confirm diagnoses; a lack of microscopes in labs and delays in issuing results were also highlighted. *** * ** ** Challenges to scale-up **** Rolling out the rules on a national scale could also prove challenging as the majority of Tanzanians live in very rural areas and a poor road network means access to healthcare is limited. **** ** ** Mobile diagnosis and training centres that offer new methods of testing - for example, with the use of fluorescence microscopes - could make diagnosis much faster and more accurate. **** ** ** "Patients in Tanzania often have to travel very long distances as most live in rural areas, which costs them money to travel every day and some are essentially too week to go on their own as a very large number are already suffering from the weakness that comes with HIV," said Alex Schulzer of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, which runs patient-centred TB programmes with the government. **** ** ** A shortage of medical professionals could also hinder the expansion of the programme; Schulzer recommended the use of lower cadre health workers and the community itself to fill gaps. The Novartis programme gives patients the choice to either take the daily treatment at a health facility under the supervision of a medical professional, or at home, supported by a family or community member. In the case of home-based treatment, the patient and treatment supporter are required to visit the health facility once a week during the two-month intensive phase to refill prescriptions and see a medical professional. **** ** ** Schulzer said the programme had created a system that gave patients "the freedom not to have to walk miles to the clinic every day. **** ** ** "We also needed to relieve some of the healthcare providers who cannot cope with such large patient numbers on a daily basis," he added**** ** ** *2* ****Rwanda****: Nyagatare Men Avoiding HIV Tests**** New Times, ****Rwanda******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By Dan Ngabonziza**** ** ** Nyagatare ? Many men in Nyagatare District are avoiding free voluntary HIV tests with their spouses despite mass sensitisation campaigns carried out by health officials.**** ** ** Most of married men who talked to The New Times in Karama Sector, preferred seeking the tests without their spouses to avoid squabbles in the family.*** * ** ** "It would turn violent if I go for HIV test with my wife and my results turn positive when she is negative. I would rather go for the test alone," affirmed Jean de la Paix Sindayigaya, a resident of Kabuga Cell.**** ** ** "I just secretly go for HIV test without informing my spouse. This becomes easy forme to handle her in case the tests results are positive".**** ** ** However, the head of Voluntary HIV Testing and Counselling at Kabuga Health Centre in Karama Sector, Donat Mubangizi, explained that it was advisable for couples to go for HIV tests together.**** ** ** "This helps us to counsel them on how they should live the rest of life in case they test HIV positive. Residents should be convinced that an HIV-positive person can even live for many years if he or she seeks counselling from health officials," he observed.**** ** ** It emerged that apart from some men who decline to accompany their spouses for testing, others just shun the test all together.**** ** ** "Some men believe that if a woman goes for HIV test and tests negative, they are also negative. That's why a big number of them (men) don't go for HIV test," noted another resident.**** ** ** Health officials in the sector believe that new HIV infections in the sector have drastically been checked as a result of mass campaigns conducted under a new project: "Behaviour Change and Social Marketing (BCSM)" which operates under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church.**** ** ** Over 121 couples in the sector sought free HIV test last week during the project's mass campaign in the 14 sectors of the district.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** Reform of laws on HIV sought**** The Hindu, ****India******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** STAFF REPORTER**** ** ** Chennai - Every time Priya goes to the airport, she hopes the security guy at the gate does not know to read Tamil. With a voter ID card that says male in Tamil and female in English, she, as a transgender, faces the problem of having multiple identities, and she is certainly not alone.**** ** ** People belonging to the transgender community like Priya were among the participants at a regional consultation organised by the V-Community Action Network and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law and UNAIDS Technical Support Facility for South Asia that took place here on Tuesday. Over 60 persons, including commercial sex workers, transgenders, people living with HIV and Men having Sex with Men (MSM) participated.**** ** ** ?Tamil Nadu may have been the frontrunner in improving the lives of the transgender community, but the focus has been more on the welfare, not on legal policies. Proper implementation of policies is what we want,? said S. Noori, president of the South India Positive Network.**** ** ** Members of the community highlighted their concerns, including the need for social protection and scientific sex change operations. ?The Transgender Welfare Board started in 2008 is almost dysfunctional now. There is no way our grievance can be heard,? said Ms. Noori. The participants discussed the need to reform laws related to HIV/AIDS, particularly ones that reinforce bias against persons with HIV. Since same-sex marriages are illegal, such couples cannot adopt or even buy a life insurance policy, among other things.**** ** ** ?Many police station and officials, to ensure they have a certain number of cases at the end of the year, arrest sex workers and make sure they get summoned and later arrested. Some even don't know that paid sex is not punishable in India, only soliciting is,? said Tito Thomas, director, Centre for Social Research and Development.**** ** ** Organisations need to stand up in defence of the community, besides providing intervention during crisis, said E. Manohar, a social activist from Karnataka. Mr. Manohar said that adult women, who were victims of trafficking, were often kept in government homes, worse than jails, and given an upkeep amount of not more than Rs.13 a day. The recent changes in laws in many countries, including Sweden, Denmark, and others to criminalise clients show that international communities too fail to understand how that would add to the insecurities of the sex workers, he said. Karnataka, he said, recently became the first State to allow all forms of transgenders to avail the benefits that backward classes do.**** ** ** HIV is not a medical issue alone, and it is necessary to understand it in the context of social, economical and psychological scenarios, said Indhu Sivakumar, from TSU- TANSACS. ?The community needs to be empowered too, even with the knowledge of legal procedures,? she added.**** ** ** Ayesha Mago, project coordinator, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law, underscored the need to table and pass the HIV Bill soon to ensure there was access to healthcare and education.**** ** ** *3* `Many children in Manipur die of HIV, untested and untreated` **** Kangla Online, ****India******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Written by Imphal Free Press**** ** ** IMPHAL, Jan 31: With the launch of the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) programme, the onus is now great on outreach workers as the first step in caring for HIV infected children is accurate and early diagnosis of HIV.**** ** ** This was stated by project director of the Manipur State Aids Control Society (MACS) ****Dr** **SK******** ** ** Chaurasia while inaugurating a one-day capacity building workshop of outreach workers on Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and HIV Exposed Infants (HEI) care and treatment held here at Hotel Nirmala today.**** ** ** The workshop is the first in a series of programmes to be held during the next three days for training outreach workers, staff of EID designated centres, District AIDS Control officers and District Supervisers. It is organized by MACS with support from UNICEF, ****Assam**** office.**** ** ** Emphasizing the major role of outreach workers in the successful and effective implementation of the newly launched EID programme in the state, Dr Chaurasia urged the participants to work with full compassion and dedication to enhance the quality of life of HIV exposed children, he called upon them to ?reach the unreached.?**** ** ** Speaking as resource person during the technical session, former project director of MACS, Dr Pramod Kumar, Dr Pramod Kumar expressed concern that service gap in identifying and providing follow-up service to HIV exposed pregnant mothers and their children as well as late detection and diagnosis could lead to worsening of the HIV epidemic in the state.**** ** ** It is estimated that 94,000 children below 15 yrs are infected with HIV in * *India**, most of which are in the high burden districts of states in South and **North-East India**, including Manipur. In Manipur during the last five yrs, out of 11,72,116 people tested, 13,064 were found positive, out of which 4,803 were women and 1,369 were children. Sero-prevalence for children increased from 6.8 % in 2004 to 7.6 % in 2008, he said.**** ** ** Expressing concern, he added that as on October 2010 cumulative number of children living with HIV/AIDS registered in HIV care in the state was 2,431, but only 722 started ART. Hence, the fear is that many children either die untested and untreated, he continued, and further stressed that networking and linkages are extra important.**** ** ** ?We have the technology, medicine, doctors, facility and children who need help, therefore not providing service here would be akin to killing the children ourselves,? he said urging the outreach workers to do their best in closing the gaps in service.**** ** ** Deputy Director (CST) of MACS, Dr Y. Gopal Krishna, Head of Department of Paediatric Department, RIMS, Prof. Dr. H. Ranbir, Programme Director, Centre of Excellence, Paediatric, JNIMS, Dr. Apabi, Technician at ART Centre, RIMS, Bunty Naorem, and State Co-ordinator of IL&FS, M. Premjit were the other resource persons of the workshop.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Global health hits crisis point **** Nature**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Laurie Garrett**** ** ** Last week, Michel Kazatchkine tendered his resignation as executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Regardless of whether you've heard of the French AIDS scientist, or even of the fund, you should keep reading. This is a crucial, dangerous moment for global health.**** ** ** Kazatchkine made clear the political struggle that forced his resignation. ?The Global Fund has helped to spearhead an entirely new framework of international development partnership,? he wrote in his resignation letter. But under stress during the world economic crisis, with radically declining support from donors, a battle developed. ?Today, the Global Fund stands at a cross-road. In the international political economy, power-balances are shifting and new alignments of countries and decision-making institutions are emerging or will have to be developed to achieve global goals. Within the area of global health, the emergency approaches of the past decade are giving way to concerns about how to ensure long-term sustainability, while at the same time, efficiency is becoming a dominant measure of success,? he wrote.**** ** ** It is almost possible to hear Kazatchkine spitting out the words 'sustainability' and 'efficiency'. Since the financial crisis of November 2008, a storm has been brewing over these concepts, one that affects everything from humanitarian responses to projects that distribute malaria bed nets. It is a fight, and on one side are those who believe that crises in general, and the AIDS pandemic and allied diseases in particular, constitute global 'emergencies' that must be tackled with full force, mistakes be damned. On the other are those who feel that AIDS is now a chronic disease that can be managed with medication and therefore requires investment in permanent infrastructure of care and treatment that can eventually be operated and funded by the countries themselves.**** ** ** It is a classic battle of titans, pitting urgency against long-term sustainability. In his resignation letter, Kazatchkine essentially conceded victory to the forces for sustainability. Charitable urgency didn't stand a chance once the donor states started cinching their domestic budget belts so tightly that they had to punch new buckle holes.**** ** ** The fund was established ten years ago as a unique mechanism to move billions of dollars from rich countries to poorer ones, to combat and treat three infectious diseases: HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. It acts as a granting agency, accepting applications from governments and health organizations, and convenes regular replenishment meetings to tell donors ? mostly the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany ? how much money is needed for the next round.**** ** ** By the end of 2009, the fund was disbursing US$2.7 billion a year, and was underwriting almost half of all HIV treatment in poor countries, about two-thirds of all malaria prevention and treatment in the world and about 65% of all tuberculosis efforts. The fund's most marked impact has been on malaria. At the end of 2011, the World Health Organization estimated that the number of malaria deaths had fallen by one-quarter between 2000 and 2010.**** ** ** But Global-Fund cash has spawned dependency and expectation among its recipients. Should it disappear, or radically diminish, countries would be hard-pressed to finance malaria and tuberculosis efforts.**** ** ** Indeed, the great diminishment has commenced. In October 2010, the fund asked donors for $20 billion for five years' worth of disbursements. The donors were indignant and committed just over half that. In response, the fund's flabbergasted leadership cancelled the next grant round, and it will now not distribute new grants until 2014.**** ** ** Donor scrutiny increased and a high-level independent review panel set up by the fund's governing board, which includes representatives of United Nations agencies and the World Bank, released a scathing report, citing a litany of problems, including fraud, theft and inconsistent decision-making by grant reviewers.**** ** ** At a meeting in ****Accra**, **Ghana****, on 21 November, the board members expressed shock at the problems identified by the high-level panel, and by reports commissioned on the situation on the ground in some countries. Some African leaders described riots and demonstrations at the lack of vital medicines, especially for HIV. The board's own investigation showed that the fund had committed assets of $10 billion for 2011?13, but had only about $4 billion in its bank accounts.**** ** ** The board called for ways to stretch available resources and eliminate inefficiencies. Key to that would be the appointment of a general manager to oversee all spending, pushing Kazatchkine aside. Stepping into that position is Colombian banker Gabriel Jaramillo.**** ** ** To try to give Jaramillo a running start, in ****Davos**, **Switzerland****, last week, Bill Gates handed over some $750 million, redeemable by the fund in full during 2012, or spread out over time. And the Saudi Arabian government announced a $25-million donation. As generous as these millions may be, the fund needs billions just to stay alive and fulfil country grants, let alone to grow. Right now we have no idea where that money will come from. Should the fund collapse, the consequences will be severe. Progress against tuberculosis and malaria will stall, and more than a million people living with HIV could be left without treatment.**** Volume:482,Pages:7 DOI:doi:10.1038/482007a**** ** ** *3* Save **West Africa** from the drugs barons **** The Observer**** 29/01/2012**** ** ** Comment is free**** By Kofi Annan**** ** ** Over the last decade, West Africa has made encouraging progress. Violent conflicts that had blighted the region for many years have been ended. There have been real advances in development, health and education. Economic growth is accelerating. Democratic practice, although still not the norm everywhere in the region, is taking root.**** ** ** But this progress is increasingly at risk from the threat posed by international drug trafficking and the criminal networks behind the trade. The smuggling of illegal drugs through West Africa, notably cocaine and heroin, has increased dramatically. A decade ago, the total seizures of cocaine in the region were less than 100 kilos. By 2009, this had increased to nearly 6,500 kilos. The World Bank estimated that cocaine with a street value of $6.8bn was trafficked through the region the previous year.**** ** ** This is not restricted to West Africa. Across the globe, drug trafficking and the organised crime behind it are placing increasing pressures on all legal and democratic systems. But countries emerging from conflict or violence are particularly susceptible to organised crime. Law enforcement can be weak, while widespread poverty makes it easier for criminal networks to penetrate and pervert the often fragile institutions of democratic states.**** ** ** West Africa and other regions in Africa are not immune from these pressures. Indeed, they face three inter-related dangers from illegal drug trafficking. First, there is the threat from drug-funded corruption, which can corrode fledgling state institutions and undermine good governance and the rule of law. Second, there is the risk that drug traffickers link up with other criminal elements or, worse, terrorist groups that may be trying to infiltrate and destabilise the region.**** ** ** Finally, there is the harmful impact on the health and social cohesion of local communities caused by growing drug consumption by people within the region. Evidence of this disturbing trend is already apparent. According to a recent report from the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime, in 2009 around a third of the South American cocaine destined for Europe and shipped via West Africa was consumed locally.**** ** ** Organisations such as the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States have already sounded the alarm about the growing scale of the threat and the dangers it poses to governance, security and democracy. Governments in the region are taking action to stem and disrupt the flow of drugs. But there remains an urgent need to accelerate and ensure a coherent response at the national, regional and international levels.**** ** ** We need to take action now before the grip of the criminal networks linked to the trafficking of illicit drugs tightens into a stranglehold on West African political and economic development. That can only achieved through a strong, well-co-ordinated and integrated effort led by West African states with the strong backing of the international community. In particular, the region needs more help from those countries that are producing and consuming these drugs.**** ** ** To help provide new impetus and solutions to this threat, a meeting of independent experts from within the region and the wider international community will be convened later this year. The aim is to assess the dangers that drug trafficking poses to governance, security and democracy in West Africa and to propose concrete measures to combat this insidious menace.**** ** ** We have already seen, in other parts of the world, the devastation the trade in drugs can cause. It would be a tragedy if drugs were again to plunge West Africa into conflict and destroy the progress and hard-won democratic gains of recent years. We must all come together to prevent such a disaster.**** ** ** *4***** Put planet and its people at the core of sustainable development, urges report **** The Guardian**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Mark Tran in Addis Ababa**** ** ** Social and environmental costs need to be integrated into measurement of economic activity, a new UN report said on Monday as it urged world leaders to focus on the long-term resilience of the planet and its people.**** ** ** The report from the high-level panel on global sustainability calls for a set of sustainable development indicators that go beyond the traditional approach of gross domestic product. It recommends that governments develop and apply a set of sustainable development goals that can mobilise global action.**** ** ** At the report's launch during the AU summit, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, made it plain that sustainable development is a top priority for his second term of office.**** ** ** "We need to chart a new, more sustainable course for the future, one that strengthens equality and economic growth while protecting our planet," he said.**** ** ** Ban established a 22-member panel in August 2010, co-chaired by Finland's president Tarja Halonen and Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa. The group was tasked with producing a blueprint for sustainable development and low-carbon prosperity.**** ** ** The panel's final report, Resilient People, Resilient Planet: a Future Worth Choosing, contains 56 recommendations to put sustainable development into practice and to mainstream it into economic policy as quickly as possible.**** ** ** Halonen stressed the importance of placing people at the centre of achieving sustainable development.**** ** ** "Eradication of poverty and improving equity must remain priorities for the world community," she said. "The panel has concluded that empowering women and ensuring a greater role for them in the economy is critical for sustainable development."**** ** ** The report feeds into preparations for the UN conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) in Brazil in June 2012. Among its key points is that most goods and services sold today fail to bear the full environmental and social cost of production and consumption.**** ** ** "Based on the science, we need to reach consensus, over time, on methodologies to price them properly. Costing environmental externalities could open new opportunities for green growth and green jobs," says the report.**** ** ** Underscoring the importance of science as an essential guide for decision-making on sustainability issues, the report calls on the UN secretary-general to lead efforts to produce a regular global sustainable development outlook report that integrates knowledge across sectors and institutions, and to consider creating a science advisory board or scientific advisor.**** ** ** The report stresses the importance of gender equality in any serious shift towards sustainable development.**** ** ** "Half of humankind's collective intelligence and capacity is a resource we must nurture and develop, for the sake of multiple generations to come," says the report. "The next increment of global growth could well come from the full economic empowerment of women."**** ** ** Among the recommendations for a sustainable economy, the report calls for a phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies and other "perverse or trade-distorting" subsidies by 2020. However, such decisions can be politically unpopular, as the unrest in Nigeria over a reduction in fuel subsidies underlined. Aware of the political sensitivities involved, the report says the reduction of subsidies must be done in a manner that protects the poor.**** ** ** The report calls on governments to change the regulation of financial markets to promote longer-term and sustainable investment. It cites the example of Norway, where the ministry of finance is responsible for co-ordinating work on a national strategy covering the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development.**** ** ** To implement this strategy, Norway has integrated sustainable development into the annual budget. In every yearly budget, follow-up is reported in a separate chapter that includes contributions from each government ministry as well as the statistics office.**** ** ** As the report notes, Norway has developed 18 indicators that have become increasingly important in monitoring the extent to which the country's activities are consistent with sustainable development targets.**** ** ** While welcoming the panel's vision, Oxfam said the recommendations were weak.**** ** ** "The emphasis on women's rights and the call for an 'ever-green' revolution in agriculture, so it is more resource-efficient and productive, is helpful, but concrete recommendations on reforming the food system are thin," said Sarah Best of Oxfam. "There is nothing in the report on how to finance the recommendations ? for instance, through a levy on international shipping and aviation, or a financial transaction tax ? which has been backed by the UN panel on climate finance." **** ** ** The panel's findings come 25 years after Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former prime minister of Norway, produced a landmark eponymous report that defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".**** ** ** "Since then, the world has gained a deeper understanding of the interconnected challenges we face and the fact that sustainable development provides the best opportunity for people to choose their future," says the report. "This makes ours a propitious moment in history to make the right choices and move towards sustainable development in earnest."**** ** ** *5* The Global Fund must come of age (Editorial) **** Financial Times**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** The Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria has proved to be one of the world?s most important and innovative multilateral funding agencies. The abrupt reshuffle of top management last week must not distract attention from its achievements over the past decade, which on their own justify further donor support.**** ** ** Michel Kazatchkine, the Swiss-based organisation?s executive director for the past five years, resigned after the board imposed a general manager to work alongside him and restructure its operations. His contribution in raising funds and support over the past five years deserves recognition.**** ** ** His departure followed allegations ? rebutted by the board ? that the Global Fund had made payments to people close to Carla Bruni, President Sarkozy?s wife, who is an HIV ambassador. There were also claims of corruption among countries receiving its support. If Mr Kazatchkine is open to criticism, it centres on his governance style. The overall level of abuse was low, and the Global Fund?s policy of transparency ? including publishing audits of its own inspector-general ? has left it vulnerable to attacks compared with rival aid agencies.**** ** ** By avoiding the ?top down? approach of faddish programmes dictated by donors, the Global Fund has helped developing countries to save millions of lives and boost economic growth through bednets, diagnostics, health education and medicines to treat the world?s three most lethal infectious diseases. It is a model that could be applied more widely in health, education and other areas of development assistance.**** ** ** After 10 years urgently raising and spending money, there is a need to re-examine the agency?s management and operations, particularly when squeezed donors are seeking better value for money. The Global Fund, like its peers, must be more critical in scrutinising grant applications to ensure its stretched finances go to the neediest: those with fewest resources, the highest disease burden, and policies that do most to prevent and treat infection.**** ** ** That requires a very different set of skills than those expected of Mr Kazatchkine when he was appointed to build an organisation still in its infancy. It also implies a more active role from Global Fund directors, with greater accountability imposed on the board of donor and recipient governments, non-profit groups and businesses. They must share the blame for past failures and extend more selective support in the future.**** Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2012.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Beneficios para pacientes de VIH/SIDA **** Nuevo D?a Puerto Rico**** 29/01/2012**** ** ** Por Inter News Service**** ** ** Puerto Rico ha obtenido mayores beneficios que otros estados para los pacientes de VIH/SIDA, dijo hoy el secretario de Salud, Lorenzo Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** "Hemos trabajado incansablemente para que la comunidad VIH/SIDA en Puerto Rico adquiera beneficios adicionales para atender su condici?n. En esa direcci?n, esta administraci?n ha alcanzado innumerables logros para continuar brindando servicios y asegurando otros que han sido eliminados en otras jurisdicciones de Estados Unidos", se?al?.**** ** ** "El plan de salud del gobierno, Mi Salud (Modelo Integrado de Salud), cuenta con una cubierta amplia de servicios para el tratamiento de los beneficiarios elegibles y con condici?n Factor VIH Positivo y/o S?ndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA). Esto incluye servicios ambulatorios, medicamentos y servicios de hospitalizaci?n, entre otros", record? el galeno, al tiempo que rese?? que en el 2010 se destinaron alrededor de 44.2 millones de d?lares en servicios m?dicos directos a la poblaci?n VIH/SIDA de los cuales 15.1 millones se pagaron en medicamentos.**** ** ** El Secretario de Salud indic? adem?s que la Administraci?n de Seguros de Salud (ASES), mediante un acuerdo con el Departamento de Salud, identific? 26 millones de d?lares para la utilizaci?n de medicamentos de pacientes VIH/SIDA. **** ** ** Seg?n datos de la agencia, bajo la cubierta de Mi Salud, se atendieron en el a?o 2010 un total 7,385 pacientes ?nicos de VIH/SIDA.**** ** ** "El Plan Mi Salud tiene en su cubierta especial a los pacientes de VIH/SIDA para que puedan acceder los servicios de la red de proveedores sin necesidad de referidos y cuenta con centros especializados dedicados para beneficio de esta poblaci?n", a?adi? Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** El funcionario precis? que, en Puerto Rico no existe una lista de espera para medicamentos sufragados por el programa ADAP (AIDS Drugs Assistance Program). "Esto contrasta con 12 estados de Estados Unidos, que han tenido que implementar una lista de espera como medida de control de costos. Hemos tomado medidas que garanticen la continuidad del tratamiento de esta poblaci?n y as? contin?en recibiendo sus medicamentos", asegur?.**** ** ** Destac? adem?s que el a?o pasado se implement? por primera vez un Programa de Asistencia en Deducibles y Co-aseguros para personas con VIH/SIDA que tienen un plan m?dico privado. "De esta iniciativa, se han beneficiado 226 pacientes que participan del programa que les permite asumir los costos para su debido tratamiento que de otra forma no pod?an sufragar. Esperamos poder proveer este servicio a otros pacientes elegibles", augur? Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** Sobre el programa Ryan White, el funcionario agreg? que se est? atendiendo responsablemente las penalidades que recibi? Puerto Rico bajo pasadas administraciones y que al d?a de hoy consiste de una deuda que asciende a 28 millones de d?lares.**** ** ** "Mediante un esfuerzo coordinado con la Oficina del Comisionado Residente, estamos en el proceso de negociaci?n de la deuda arrastrada desde los a?os 2002-2005 por la mala utilizaci?n de estos fondos federales y que incluye intereses generados de unos 4 millones de d?lares", dijo.**** ** ** Actualmente, el equipo de Ryan White se encuentra realizando una nueva Encuesta de Satisfacci?n a Pacientes de los servicios que se proveen a trav?s de la red de proveedores con el fin de obtener el informe final para este pr?ximo mes de febrero. "La informaci?n que obtengamos producto de esta encuesta nos permitir? realizar cualquier ajuste en el plan de trabajo establecido para nuestros pacientes de VIH/SIDA, especialmente en el ?rea de calidad", adelant? el galeno.**** ** ** *2* Balance del gobierno 2008-2012 y disidentes sexuales **** Cambo de MIchuac?n, Mexico**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Gerardo A. Herrera P?rez**** ** ** Estamos ya en la cuenta regresiva del gobierno del maestro Leonel Godoy Rangel, a unos d?as de que concluya esta administraci?n; quienes hemos estado trabajando en favor de la diversidad sexual, en contra de la discriminaci?n y a favor de la igualdad social, presentamos un balance general de las principales acciones realizadas por la comunidad diversa sexual y el gobierno del estado.**** ** ** Presentar un balance del Programa Estatal de Desarrollo del Gobierno 2008-2012 en relaci?n con los homosexuales, me parece fundamental, porque da congruencia al trabajo que se puede realizar desde diversos escenarios con la participaci?n de los diferentes ?rganos de gobierno a favor de los grupos vulnerados.**** ** ** Se emprendieron diversas acciones con este gobierno desde su inicio, recordamos cuando convoc? el titular de la Secretar?a de Gobierno, el otrora maestro Fidel Calder?n a una comisi?n promotora del Foro Estatal de Democracia Participativa, que se llev? a cabo en marzo de 2008, de la cual form? parte el Grupo de Facto Diversidad Sexual y desde luego el Colectivo de Organizaciones de Derechos Humanos y para 2009, la misma comisi?n promotora convoc? a los foros regionales, que se llevaron a cabo en diversas regiones del estado (Zit?cuaro, L?zaro C?rdenas, Zamora, entre otras). Grupo de Facto, en todos los foros no s?lo fue comit? promotor, sino que entreg? en todos estos foros posicionamientos desde la sociedad civil para fortalecer la figura jur?dica de la Contralor?a Social, la iniciativa popular, entre otras. Gracias a este trabajo de cientos de michoacanas y michoacanos el gobierno del estado pudo preparar una iniciativa de Ley de Participaci?n Ciudadana y entregarla a la pasada LXXI Legislatura, quien de manera ?rasurada? aprob?.**** ** ** Otro aspecto en el que el Grupo de Facto colabor? fue en la formaci?n y capacitaci?n de recursos humanos de la Secretar?a de Seguridad P?blica para fortalecer acciones de prevenci?n para la comunidad disidente sexual; con las y el titular de dicha instancia gubernamental se tuvieron acercamientos que permitieron llevar a cabo una pol?tica p?blica de prevenci?n del delito para la comunidad homosexual y llevar a cabo acciones de sensibilizaci?n a trav?s de cursos taller con la polic?a del Centro Hist?rico de Morelia, cuyo prop?sito fue reforzar los principios de igualdad y tolerancia entre personas con una preferencia diferente a la heterosexual, y plantear la no discriminaci?n a grupos vulnerables y personas viviendo con VIH Sida. Estas acciones concluyeron el 18 de febrero del 2010, cuando se entregaron las constancias a polic?as del Centro Hist?rico que participaron en el curso-taller de discriminaci?n por preferencias sexuales, trabajo sexual y portadores de VIH/Sida, un evento in?dito hasta ese momento en el estado de Michoac?n.**** ** ** Adicionalmente y de manera coordinada, Grupo de Facto y SSP dise?aron e instrumentaron la pol?tica p?blica integral de ?prevenci?n y seguridad? para la comunidad homosexual, que incluye: a) ?Cartilla para la prevenci?n del delito?, se repartieron 5 mil ejemplares, b) L?nea telef?nica del 066 de ?emergencias?, c) La operaci?n de una Oficina de Atenci?n a la Diversidad Sexual, dependiente de la Direcci?n de Participaci?n Ciudadana para la Prevenci?n del Delito y d) Correo electr?nico, el cual brind? asesor?a v?a internet.**** ** ** Adicionalmente a ello, se desarrollaron ?cursos de capacitaci?n a la Polic?a Estatal Preventiva desde la perspectiva de los derechos humanos para el servicio de seguridad?, los mismos fueron organizados por la Unidad de Derechos Humanos (UDH) de la Secretar?a de Gobierno, en cuyo temario incluyeron los temas de diversidad sexual; discriminaci?n y estigma. El curso taller que imparti? Grupo de Facto fue en diversos momentos, en abril, mayo y junio de 2011, tanto en la Academia de Polic?a en Morelia, como en Uruapan, en Zit?cuaro y en Apatzing?n, capacit?ndose a m?s de 250 elementos de Seguridad P?blica y funcionarios de procuraci?n de justicia.*** * ** ** Cabe destacar que tambi?n de manera coordinada con el Centro de Readaptaci?n Social de Mil Cumbres, se llevaron a cabo diversas acciones con las mujeres reclusas, conferencia sobre violencia de g?nero, Feria Informativa sobre el Derecho a la Salud, entre otras acciones. **** ** ** Con la Secretar?a de Pol?tica Social se particip? en las cuatro ferias de las OSC organizadas por esta administraci?n; en la Octava Feria de las OSC 2011, el Grupo de Facto pudo dirigirse al se?or gobernador a nombre de las 145 OSC participantes, el mensaje incluyo apoy? para las OSC y la presentaci?n de la Ley de Fortalecimiento a las OSC en Michoac?n; de igual manera la Sepsol apoy? a Grupo de Facto con materiales m?dicos para ser entregados a personas adultas mayores de diversas localidades de P?tzcuaro.* *** ** ** Con la Secretar?a de la Mujer (Semujer) y en el seno del Consejo Estatal para la Atenci?n y Prevenci?n del VIH Sida (Coesida), con diversas dependencias y entidades de la administraci?n p?blica del estado, el Grupo de Facto (consejero del Coesida) ha propuesto acciones que hoy se constituyen como pol?tica p?blica, como lo fue el Grupo de Trabajo Mujer y VIH Sida, que es presidido por la Semujer, con el apoyo de Grupo de Facto y otras instancias; de igual manera se promovieron diversas acciones que se realizan a favor de la inclusi?n y pluralidad para prevenir la discriminaci?n de quienes viven con VIH Sida y cuya Comisi?n contra Estigma y Discriminaci?n es presidida por el Grupo de Facto; adem?s se han apoyado los eventos para la conmemoraci?n del D?a Internacional de Lucha Contra el Sida en Morelia y L?zaro C?rdenas y ser el Grupo de Facto quienes empujan de manera conjunta con otras instancias como la Procuradur?a de Justicia y la Fiscal?a Especial de Delitos de la Familia, el Programa del D?a de la Tolerancia y Respeto a las Diferencias con una diversidad de acciones, como conferencias, talleres, foros, exposiciones y ferias de la salud.**** ** ** Tambi?n con la Semujer hemos colaborado en el modelo de equidad de g?nero y de mujer y VIH Sida, participando en al menos 33 diversos eventos (conferencias, cursos de capacitaci?n y talleres) para la sensibilizaci?n de personal m?dico para evitar la discriminaci?n en espacios hospitalarios de las jurisdicciones sanitarias de L?zaro C?rdenas, Uruapan, Zit?cuaro, La Piedad, Zamora y Morelia, as? como para apoyar las acciones que se desarrollan en materia de sexualidad entre la Semujer y la SEE, en este marco el Grupo de Facto apoy? con talleres a maestros de educaci?n secundaria t?cnica, secundarias generales y telesecundarias de todo el estado, con eventos regionales en Ciudad Hidalgo, Zamora, Zacapu, L?zaro C?rdenas, Maravat?o, Uruapan, Apatzing?n, M?gica y Morelia.**** ** ** Con el Sistema Michoacano de Radio y Televisi?n participamos en diversos programas de radio y televisi?n, Grupo de Facto fue comentarista en ?Contexto a las seis?, conducido por V?ctor Ardura, de manera permanente y hoy tenemos el honor de ser articulistas del peri?dico semanal El Michoacano, as? como comentarista del programa de televisi?n ?Razones?, adem?s de participar en diversas ocasiones en programas espec?ficos del sistema como ?Conexi?n Sepsol?, ?Reactivo despertando inquietudes?, los noticieros en sus tres horarios, entre otros programas especiales.**** ** ** De igual manera se particip? en diversos foros, congresos y talleres a que fue invitado Grupo de Facto durante estos ya cuatro a?os de administraci?n y que a los mismos siempre lleg? Grupo de Facto con propuestas concretas para proponer. Cabe destacar el trabajo permanente de Grupo de Facto en el Consejo Estatal para la Prevenci?n del VIH Sida, tanto como consejero, como coordinador del Comit? contra Estigma y Discriminaci?n, desde donde se realizaron diversas acciones de prevenci?n.**** ** ** De igual manera destacamos la participaci?n del Ejecutivo del estado en diversos eventos realizados por el Grupo de Facto, como los realizados en las cinco ?ltimas ediciones para conmemorar el D?a Internacional contra la Homofobia.**** ** ** Desde la sociedad civil organizada, Grupo de Facto logr? articular con la voluntad pol?tica de las autoridades gubernamentales un proyecto de sinergias al Programa Estatal de Desarrollo 2008-2012; la ?nica asignatura pendiente, no se instal? el Consejo Estatal para Prevenir la Discriminaci?n. **** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Can New Circumcision Devices Help Fight AIDS in **Africa**?**** TIME Magazine**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Alexandra Sifferlin**** ** ** It?s a lofty, but vital goal. Africa wants to circumcise 20 million men by 2015 to help curb the AIDS epidemic plaguing the continent. Studies show that the procedure is one of the most effective ?vaccines? against HIV, reducing the risk of infection in men by at least 60%, the New York Times reports.**** ** ** However, only about 600,000 men have had the operation so far and the clock is ticking ? every missed day means more chances for infection. The main obstacle lies in a shortage of surgeons to provide circumcision, and provide it quickly. According to the Times, it takes a skilled surgeon about 15 minutes per circumcision and such doctors are hard to come by in Africa.**** ** ** Now, new circumcision devices on the market may help fill the demand. PrePex and Shang Ring are two devices under evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO) to speed the process, Dr. Stefano Bertozzi, director of HIV for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation told the Times.**** ** ** The FDA approved PrePex just a few weeks ago. It was invented in 2009 by four Israelis, one a urologist who heard the plea for surgeons in Africa. Out of all similar devices, PrePex is so far the quickest, least bloody and least painful. It?s also remarkably simple ? its technology is based on a rubber band. According to the Times:**** ** ** The band compresses the foreskin against a plastic ring slipped inside it; the foreskin dies within hours for lack of blood and, after a week, falls off or can be clipped off ?like a fingernail,? said Tzameret Fuerst, the company?s chief executive officer, who compared the process to the stump of an umbilical cord?s shriveling up and dropping off a few days after it is clamped.**** (You can watch a video of PrePex being used on an adult patient here, but be warned, the images are explicit.)**** ** ** According to Dr. Jason Reed, an epidemiologist in the global AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PrePex could increase circumcisions to 400 a day, compared to the current 60 to 80. The device can be placed and removed in minutes by trained nurses.**** ** ** The WHO is also considering the Shang Ring, a Chinese device with a plastic two-ring clamp. Unlike PrePex, the Chinese contraption requires the medical provider to cut excess foreskin beyond the clamp, which means injections of anesthetics are needed, as well as enough training for the provider to perform minor surgery.**** ** ** ?The Shang is not as fast, but it?s faster than full-fledged surgery,? AIDS-prevention expert Mitchell Warren told the Times. ?And it hasn?t submitted as much safety data.?**** ** ** Although there are a few other devices on the market, PrePex and Shang Ring are the most promising. If approved for use by WHO, the devices could be fundamental in helping Africa meet its goal.**** ** ** *3* AIDS treatment on Indian reservations clouded by secrets, stigma**** The Sun Herald**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By NICOLE GILBERT - Cronkie News Service**** ** ** CHINLE, Arizona -- Melvin Harrison drifted far from his boyhood home on the Navajo Nation and found himself addicted to drugs and barefoot on the streets of San Diego.**** ** ** When he entered a drug and alcohol treatment program in 1987, he had no idea what HIV was or that AIDS would claim the lives of so many he loved. It wasn't something talked about on the reservation, he said.**** Then, with one blood test, **Harrison** faced his own mortality. **** ** ** "It scared the heck out of me because I was shooting drugs," he said.**** **Harrison** tested negative for HIV. But his experience prompted him to take action in the Navajo community, educating people about the disease as the founding executive director of the Navajo AIDS Network.**** ** ** "In the Navajo way of life ... on HIV and gay issues, nobody is understanding," he said.**** Harrison and others say that HIV is a taboo topic among the Navajo tribe, one of the largest in the country with more than 300,000 members. Many Navajo, they say, believe that speaking of disease is the same as bringing it into the community.**** ** ** The **Gallup** **Indian** **Medical** **Center** in ****Gallup**, **N.M.****, has seen a steady increase of new HIV cases among Navajos over the past 10 years - doctors recorded 35 cases in 2010, up from just 15 cases in 2000. The numbers may reflect an increase in testing, but according to infectious disease specialist Dr. Jonathan Iralu, they may reveal other trends.**** ** ** "HIV is not just an illness that's present in the East Coast or the West Coast or the inner city," he said. "It's something that's come even to rural ****America****."**** Iralu said he sees more cases these days of Navajos contracting HIV from other Navajos, whereas before most patients became infected in cities off the reservation. And more heterosexual people are testing positive now, he said, shattering the misconception that only homosexual men contract HIV.*** * ** ** The Navajo AIDS Network works with the ****Gallup** **Indian** **Medical** * *Center**** to provide case management and counseling to newly diagnosed patients all across the reservation. It also offers HIV testing, promoted by advertisements in movie theaters, posters and brochures.**** ** ** **Harrison** said his organization probably only works with a fraction of the Navajos infected with HIV, as the stigma of and misinformation about AIDS prevents residents from getting tested.**** "If you go down here to the schools or across Navajo (territory), you'll find that many of our high school students, and just people in general, think that's still a gay man's disease," he said.**** ** ** *4* Coming soon: over-the-counter oral AIDS test **** Crain?s New York Business.com**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Gale Scott**** ** ** With HIV infection remaining a major health concern in ****New York City****, many public health researchers are clamoring for an over-the-counter oral test for the virus. The thinking is that a home kit would let people test themselves, or to insist that partners or potential partners take and pass the test as a condition of having unprotected sex.**** ** ** That test could arrive soon, if the FDA rules favorably on an application from OraSure Technologies. The ****Bethlehem**, **Penn.****, company has asked permission to have its OraQuick rapid HIV test approved for retail sale?much like a home pregnancy test. The product is widely used in clinical settings and is expected to sell for around $20 if approved. **** ** ** Though many companies sell rapid HIV tests, OraSure is the only one that sells both blood and oral tests. Six others sell blood tests. "Our market share is 70% to 80% in public health and 50% to 60% in hospitals. We are the market leader" said OraSure CEO Douglas Michels.**** ** ** FDA approval could come this year, ending a process that started when the company approached the FDA in 2004 with market research that showed a $500 million potential ****U.S.**** sales-demand for a home test. The company submitted its final module of clinical tests results to the FDA in last month.**** ** ** Physically, the process would be simple: wipe a swab inside the mouth, dip it into a container, wait 20 minutes. One line means HIV negative, two lines means it is positive. In terms of manners however, it would be anything but simple, according to a study by ****Columbia** **University****researchers published Wednesday. **** ** ** Alex Carballo-Di?guez, Timothy Frasca and colleagues at the **HIV** **Center ** for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the ****New York**** State Psychiatric Institute recruited subjects from a high-risk group, men who have sex with men. Though the HIV test would be marketed to heterosexuals as well, the researchers chose homosexual and bisexual men because the virus is spreading more quickly in that demographic. Of 3,481 new HIV diagnoses in ****New York City**** in 2010, 52.1% were among these men, versus 47.4% in 2009, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. **** ** ** In the ****Columbia**** study, researchers offered these men the OraQuick test in their office and then interviewed them about their attitudes toward using it. Most?over 80% of the men?said they would use the kit to test sexual partners or themselves if it became available over the counter. **** ** ** But there was little agreement on how to broach the subject with a partner, how to handle an unexpected positive result, or deal with other situations. ?The most surprising thing was how people would use it,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez, ?Some people said they would use it with casual partners, others said they would want there to be familiarity, and would use it only with their main partner.?**** ** ** The study, published in the Journal of Sex Research, included remarks and explanations from the test subjects, identified only by age and ethnicity. * *** ** ** Asked how they would bring up the topic of taking the test, some said they would be blunt and direct. The study quoted a Latino man, age 25, as planning to say, ?Well, I'm interested in sexual health, well-being; would you mind taking this, you know, with me?? Another said he would use persuasion, talking up the uniqueness of the test and ?how great it is.? Others said they would make the test a condition of forgoing condom use or as a sign that a relationship had moved to steady from casual status.**** ** ** Most saw a common problem in using the test with casual partners in spontaneous situations. ?To wait 20 minutes to see what would happen would put the brakes on whatever crescendo you're having,? said a 40-year-old white man. ?It's a buzz killer.? **** ** ** A more serious concern, one raised by the test's opponents, is how users would react to a positive test. ?There's a lot of potential opposition and clinics might not be crazy about direct access in a private setting with no personnel with them if they get a positive result,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez.**** ** ** OraSure's Mr. Michels said he had heard those concerns, but felt they were not an obstacle.**** ** ** "Those objections have been raised and discussed, there has been an opportunity for public comment, but there is broad support for this test." * *** ** ** Mr. Frasca added, ?There has been a progressive loosening of restrictions on HIV testing,? and that many people feel the FDA will approve the application. **** ** ** In announcing its latest FDA submission, OraSure cited federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics on the need to expand testing. There are approximately 1.2 million people in the ****U.S.**** who have HIV and about 240,000 are unaware of their status, according to the company.**** ** ** Meanwhile, the test subjects had different ideas on the best strategy for dealing with a positive test. Some said they would offer deep sympathy and ask how to help. A minority said they'd be out the door. ?Man, got to go,? said a 21-year-old black man describing his likely reaction. **** ** ** The researchers are now following up with a second study in which they have distributed tests for home use and will later ask subjects to report on their experiences using them. So far they have not studied the heterosexual population, but said it could have widespread use. They could even see a scenario?remote?in which a person could test a partner surreptitiously. ?It's come up; I guess you could swab someone when they were sleeping, but it would very difficult,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez. **** ** ** *5* SAfrica recalls 1.35 million condoms handed out during ANC celebrations over claims of flaws **** Associated Press**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** *Story widely covered by global media channels* ** ** ****JOHANNESBURG**** ? Some condoms burst. Others leaked like sieves. ****South Africa****?s leading anti-AIDS group said Tuesday that allegedly faulty condoms are among more than 1.35 million handed out at the African National Congress? 100th birthday party.**** ** ** Health officials confirmed that all of those condoms have been ordered to be recalled. But the Treatment Action Campaign said no warning has been issued to people that they may have carried away defective condoms that could now cause them to unsuspectingly spread or contract HIV. ****South Africa**** has the world?s highest number of AIDS patients, some 5.6 million.**** ** ** The third recall in less than five years raises questions about the quality of some of the 425 million-plus condoms that the government gives away each year, and the competence of the South African Bureau of Standards that is supposed to ensure their quality is up to international standards.**** ** ** AIDS activist Sello Mokhalipi of the Treatment Action Campaign said he complained to the health department after ?we had people flocking in, coming to report that the condoms had burst while they were having sex.?**** ** ** Some were panicking because they were infected with AIDS and were concerned for their partners, he said.**** ** ** Spokesman Jabu Mbalula of the ****Free State**** provincial health department, which distributed the condoms before the Jan. 6-8 celebrations, said they had recalled the entire batch of 1.35 million condoms around Jan. 18. He said there was no need for a panic.**** ** ** But he was unable to say how many of the condoms were used or have been recovered.**** ** ** In 2007, the government recalled more than 20 million defective condoms manufactured locally but recovered only 12 million. The Health Ministry said many of the condoms failed the air burst test.**** ** ** That came after a recall the same year of 5 million defective and locally produced condoms. In that case, the Ministry of Health said a testing manager at the South African Bureau of Standards had taken a bribe to certify the faulty contraceptives.**** ** ** AIDS activist Mokhalipi said the latest recall was limited to health workers going to the ****Bloemfontein**** hotels, guesthouses and bars where they had deposited the condoms and reclaiming any that remained.**** ** ** He complained that the health department had not issued countrywide warnings to alert people not to use condoms distributed during the celebrations that drew tens of thousands of people.**** ** ** ?People came from all over and probably took many away with them, so those condoms are now all over the country,? he said.**** ** ** Those who had used condoms that allegedly had burst should be told to get post-exposure tests and treatment, he said.**** ** ** ?We want the department to go out and tell people about these faulty condoms,? Mokhalipi said. ?How can they say people should not panic if there are still clearly people out there in possession of these condoms.?*** * ** ** The scandal comes just a week after the Journal of the Royal Society Interface published a new study indicating increased condom use accounted for the vast majority of the decline in HIV infections in ****South Africa** ** between 2000 and 2008. Epidemiologist Leigh F. Johnson and colleagues at the ****University** of **Cape Town**** found that increased condom use accounted for more than 70 percent of the decline.**** ** ** Mokhalipi said people started coming with complaints about the condoms on Jan. 11 ? three days after the celebrations ended ? prompting his office to run some tests.**** ** ** ?We poured water into the condoms and they were leaking, not just in one place, they were leaking like a sieve,? he said. Looking at them, ?you can see there are small pores? like pinpricks.**** ** ** He said the health department had distributed a new batch of condoms last week, which did not leak under the water test.**** ** ** Health department spokesman Mbalula said pouring water into a condom and applying pressure was not a proper test, though Mokhalipi denied applying pressure.**** ** ** Mbalula said his department recalled the contraceptives to conduct scientific tests. He did not know when results would be available.**** ** ** An organization that has a lot of experience with condoms, the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, said many of the 10,000 to 15,000 prostitutes they work with often complain about the free government condoms. The Taskforce said they instead use a brand provided by an international charity.**** ** ** ?The CHOICE condoms that the government is distributing are very unsatisfactory and we have a lot of complaints about condoms breaking,? said Maria Stacey, SWEAT?s outreach and development manager.**** ** ** ****South Africa****?s government sources its condoms from several companies and rebrands them with its colorful CHOICE packaging, in bright blue, red, yellow and green.**** ** ** Mbalula noted that all the condoms distributed in ****Bloemfontein**** were stamped to indicate that they were in batches that had been quality tested by the Bureau of Standards. Bureau spokeswoman Verna Schutte would only confirm that they were investigating the condoms.**** ** ** Neither she nor the health spokesman could say which country or company had manufactured the condoms.**** Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair **** UNAIDS**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Speaking at the 11th General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on 30 January, Madame Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of Namibia, identified the prevention of new HIV infections among children as a key objective for her new term as President of OAFLA.*** * ** ** Madame Pohamba noted that in most African countries, lack of male involvement in sexual and reproductive health programmes is a challenge. She urged her fellow First Ladies to launch a continent-wide campaign to encourage the participation of male partners in efforts to stop new HIV infections in children.**** ** ** ?Let us conduct this campaign under the theme, An HIV-free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today,? said the Namibian First Lady. ?I believe that zero HIV infections among new born babies is an achievable goal,? she added.**** ** ** Mrs Ban Soon-taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary-General, highlighted in her remarks the growing momentum and support for the goal of an HIV-free generation. ?Around the world, in developing and developed countries, in the North and in the South, in the streets of communities and the halls of governments, people know that no child should be born with HIV,? said Mrs Ban.**** ** ** According to the latest data from UNAIDS, WHO and UNICEF, there has been considerable progress over the past decade in reducing new HIV infections among children in sub-Saharan **Africa**. An estimated 350 000 children were newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan **Africa** in 2010 compared to about 500 000 children in 2001?a 30% reduction. An estimated 230 000 children died from AIDS-related causes in 2010, down from about 320 000 in 2005.**** ** ** In his keynote address at the OAFLA General Assembly, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidib? applauded the First Ladies for their collective action in the HIV response across the continent. He said that through the strong leadership and advocacy of OAFLA members, 12 of 22 high burden countries in **Africa** had launched accelerated national plans to stop HIV transmission from mother to child. ?The results of your efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of women, youth and children across **Africa**,? said Mr Sidib?.**** ** ** Expressing concern over **Africa**?s dependency on external aid, the UNAIDS Executive Director requested the support of OAFLA members in mobilizing funding from local sources for HIV prevention, treatment and care. ?Working with leaders of your countries, we need to focus all efforts on the issue of sustainable funding for the AIDS response. We must advocate for new partnerships with the private sector,? said Mr Sidib?.**** ** ** According to a new UNAIDS issues brief ? ?AIDS dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions??an estimated two-thirds of AIDS expenditures in **Africa* * come from international funding sources. The vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in **Africa** are imported from generic manufacturers.**** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/b6b53f24/attachment.html From creata at hmu.edu.vn Wed Feb 1 03:37:11 2012 From: creata at hmu.edu.vn (=?UTF-8?B?SElWL0FJRFMgVFQgTkMgJiDEkFQ=?=) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:37:11 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] =?utf-8?b?VGjGsCBt4budaSB0aGFtIGdpYSBraMOzYSBo4buN?= =?utf-8?b?YzogIlRp4bq/cCBj4bqtbiBuZ2hpw6puIGPhu6l1IMSR4buLbmggdMOt?= =?utf-8?b?bmggduG7gSBISVYvQUlEUyI=?= Message-ID: K?nh m?i tham d? kh?a h?c Trung t?m nghi?n c?u v? ??o t?o HIV/AIDS, ??i h?c Y H? N?i k?t h?p v?i Vi?n Gia ??nh v? Gi?i v? ??i h?c Columbia (Hoa K?) t? ch?c kh?a h?c: *"Ti?p c?n nghi?n c?u ??nh t?nh v? HIV/AIDS"* - Th?i gian: *30/3 - 08/4/2012* - ??a ?i?m: *H? N?i.* Chi ti?t v? m?c ti?u kh?a h?c, ti?u ch? ch?n h?c vi?n v? ch??ng tr?nh h?c, c?c anh/ch? xem trong file ??nh k?m. H?n cu?i ?? nh?n h? s? ??ng k? l? tr??c *17 gi?, 29/02/2012.* *H? s? ??ng k? v? th?c m?c anh/ch? g?i theo ??a ch? email: creata at hmu.edu.vn * R?t mong anh/ch? chuy?n ti?p email n?y t?i b?n b? v? ??ng nghi?p c?a m?nh. Xin ch?n th?nh c?m ?n! Thay m?t ban t? ch?c kh?a h?c. An Thanh Ly * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * *Center for Research and Training on HIV/AIDS - CREATA* * * Add: Room 522, Block A1, Hanoi Medical University, No 1 Ton That Tung, Dong Da Dist. Hanoi, Vietnam Office Phone: +84 4 357 41 596 Email: creata at hmu.edu.vn -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Application form.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 711118 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0001.bin -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Annoucement.doc Type: application/msword Size: 741888 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0001.doc From nthuan at vn.rti.org Thu Feb 2 03:58:43 2012 From: nthuan at vn.rti.org (Thuan Nguyen) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:58:43 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Jobs at RTI Message-ID: <005101cce15e$f78b78f0$e6a26ad0$@vn.rti.org> Dear all, This is the advertisement. RTI is looking for Vietnam Nationals to fill in the following positions 1. Finance and Admin Manager- Hanoi Responsibilities include managing all financial and administrative aspects of the project and ensure compliance with RTI, USG and Vietnamese financial and accounting policies and procedures. Applicants must have at least 6-8 years' experience working in finance and administration for USAID-funded projects including prior experience overseeing finance, grants, and administration activities and personnel; University Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field required. 2. Grant officer- Ho Chi Minh City Responsibilities include overseeing grants management process & subcontracts for local organizations, including grant compliance with USAID regulations, oversight of funding obligations, administrative management, grant applications and selection processes, development of grants manuals, eligibility requirements, and technical review committees. Applicants must have University Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field and at least 3 years' experience (or Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of relevant experience) in financial and administrative management for USAID-funded projects; proven track record of overseeing effective grants/subcontracts management to achieve project objectives is required. 3. Finance & Administration Assistant - Ho Chi Minh City Responsibilities include assistance the office and project operation in southern provinces and report to the Office Manager in Hanoi. Applicants must have at least university degree or equivalent and 2 years of experience managing accounting files for a donor-funded project. Qualified applicants should submit a resume and an expression of interest indicating the position applied for. All applications and enquires for job descriptions must be in English and sent by email to nthuan at vn.rti.org. The deadline for applications is Feb 13 2012 . Only short listed applicants will be contacted. For detailed job description, please write email to anhongnhung at yahoo.com Please visit our website at www.rti.org/globalhealth for more information on our work in global health -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/70fb665e/attachment-0001.html From Mai.VU at unodc.org Thu Feb 2 06:40:18 2012 From: Mai.VU at unodc.org (Mai VU) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:40:18 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fw: UNODC consultancy announcement: Consultants for PAF project in Dien Bien Message-ID: FYI and circulation! ________________________________ Vu Le Mai (Ms.) Programme Assistant (Finance & Administration) HIV Programme United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: (+84-4) 3938.8437 Ext. 24 Fax: (+84-4) 3822.0854/38224931 Mobile: (+84)912.508.917 Email: mai.vu at unodc.org ________________________________ ----- Forwarded by Mai VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO on 02/02/2012 01:37 PM ----- FO Vietnam/UNODC-VN/ VIENNA/UNO To Sent by: Nguyen registry.vn at undp.org, Anh unido at un.org.vn, TRA/UNODC-VN/VIEN unfpa-fo at unfpa.org.vn, NA/UNO FAO-VNM at fao.org, vuanhson at hotmail.com, hanoi.registry at unicef.org, Thursday, 2 unaidsvietnam at unaids.org.vn, February 2012 who at vtn.wpro.who.int, 13:25 registry at unesco.org.vn, hanoi at ilohn.org.vn, vnguyen at imf.org, adbvrm at adb.org, nguyen.quang at undp.org, hanoi at iom.int, huyen.nguyen at unifem.org cc Zhuldyz AKISHEVA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Nguyen Tuong DUNG/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Christopher BATT/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Roger BRITTON/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Nguyen Anh TRA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Duong Hai NHU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thanh HUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Phuong LIEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Mai VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Daria HAGEMANN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Mai PHUONG/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Dieu HUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thanh TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Van TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Long NGUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Kodo HAMADOU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Ha TA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Hong HAI/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Hai LE/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Phuong NGUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Van DO/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thu VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Ha LE/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Trang TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Maximilian POTTLER/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV Subject UNODC consultancy announcement: Consultants for PAF project in Dien Bien Message from UNODC Viet Nam Dear colleagues and friends, For your information, the advertisement for the following national consultants has been posted on UN Viet Nam website: National consultants to conduct studies on existing current social protection provision for PLHA in Dien Bien province and to document successful stigma and discrimination reduction initiatives. ? Contract type: Individual Contract ? Submission deadline: 9 February 2012 Attached are the TOR and Vacancy announcement. You can also visit?the job site http://www.un.org.vn/en/un-jobs.html for details of Terms of Reference and application procedures. (See attached file: TOR National consulant - PAF.pdf)(See attached file: Annoucement. mapping consultant.doc) We would appreciate your help in circulating the vacancy announcement to possible applicants. ?Thank you for your kind attention. ?UNODC Vietnam Country Office -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: Annoucement. mapping consultant.doc Type: application/msword Size: 608256 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0001.doc From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Fri Feb 3 02:19:44 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:19:44 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (2012.02.02ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103790@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103790@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. The Standard, ****Kenya** - UN wants **Africa** to manufacture its own ARVs**** ** ** *****AFRICA****** AND MIDDLE EAST * 1. **Angola** Press - **Angola**, sub-Saharan **Africa** urged to reduce HIV cases **** 2. ****Zambia**** Daily - NGO hails State?s pledge to AIDS patients **** 3. ****Informant?**, **Namibia**** - Legalize prostitution to combat AIDS: ?Mama Africa? **** 4. ****Liberia**** Observer - The Burden of Care on An HIV Mother **** ** ** *****ASIA****** AND PACIFIC* 1. Dawn, ****Pakistan**** - ?We know it?s wrong, but we don?t want to quit?* *** 2. Phuket News - Phuket to launch anti-AIDS campaign on Valentine's Day **** 3. **New Zealand** - One-fifth of gay ****Auckland**** men with HIV unaware they are infected **** ** ** *****EUROPE******* 1. The Guardian - What does the second decade hold for the Global Fund? **** 2. The Guardian - GSK's Andrew Witty on the future of pharma collaboration to help poor countries **** 3. Global Voices - ****Ukraine****: Online Interactive Map Helps Fight HIV** ** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. El Imparcial, Mexico - Realizan pruebas de sida y s?filis de manera gratuita **** 2. Diario del Ot?n, Colombia - Sida afecta a menores de edad**** 3. ABC Digital, Paraguay - Importancia de los controles prenatales **** ** ** *****NORTH AMERICA******* 1. New York Times - Why the Global Fund Matters (OpEd) **** ** ** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** UN wants **Africa** to manufacture its own ARVs **** The Standard, ****Kenya******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Mangoa Mosota**** ** ** The UN has warned against the high dependency by African countries on external sources for HIV and Aids funding.**** ** ** The organisation?s agency mandated to tackle the disease, UNAids, described the continent?s over-reliance on donor aid as unsustainable.**** ** ** "African governments invest less on HIV/Aids than expected. For the continent as a whole, about five per cent of health budgets are allocated to the scourge, despite its causing a median of more than seven per cent of the overall burden of disease across countries," stated part of a brief posted on the agency?s website early this week.**** ** ** The brief, titled Aids Dependency Crisis: Sourcing African Solutions, reveals that two-thirds of all HIV and Aids expenditure in Africa comes from external sources.**** ** ** International support for the disease in the continent dropped by 13 per cent between 2009 and 2010 from $8.7 billion to $7.6 billion (Sh667 billion to Sh583 billion).**** ** ** The cut in funding, the first time in its ten-year history, was attributed to the global economic crisis. About Sh900 billion will be needed annually by 2015 to prevent new HIV infections and scale up treatment in Africa. Additionally, Sh307 billion more than the current expenditure is needed to effectively fight the disease.**** ** ** The agency also noted that procurement of anti-retroviral drugs was highly dependent on external funding. In 27 countries for which accurate data was available, 84 per cent of expenditure for ARV therapy originated from international sources.**** ** ** Disease burden**** In Kenya, where it is estimated that 1.5 million people are infected with HIV, development partners support 85 per cent of the HIV budget. Over 400,000 people are receiving ARVs while another 600,000 require the drugs but cannot access them.**** ** ** Among the measures mooted by UNAids to help reduce over-dependence on donor support is development of a common drug regulatory authority that would ensure access to quality, life-saving medicines.**** ** ** "Investing in local manufacturing and simplifying market access to drugs across the continent will boost the economy, reduce costs and ultimately save lives and money," reads part of the brief.**** ** ** Late last year, a Kenyan pharmaceutical company was given the go-ahead by the World Health Organisation to start producing ARV drugs ? a move that would lead to huge savings for the Government?s growing treatment programme. **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** **Angola**, sub-Saharan **Africa** urged to reduce HIV cases **** ****Angola**** Press**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Luanda - The Angolan Health Vice-minister, Evelize Frestas, defended on Wednesday in Luanda the need for Angola and sub-Saharan to continue making efforts to reduce the cases of HIV/AIDS infections, and thus slow down the death rate caused by this pandemic disease.**** **** Evelize Frestas said so during a workshop on the initiative to eliminate the new HIV infections in children.**** **** According to her, the vision by the Health Ministry aims to achieve zero new infections, combat discrimination and prevent deaths caused by this disease, thus ensuring the control and reduction of the infection within several communities.**** **** The official defended the need of focusing on prevention of early pregnancies, through greater access of teenagers to information and education campaign, such as the access to the services linked to family planning, HIV/AIDS voluntary testing and counselling.**** **** However, the minister called for the need of reviewing and updating the strategy to prevent the disease countrywide.**** **** According to Evelize Frestas, this goal requires a deep involvement of the National Health Service throughout the country, reason why all provincial health departments are committed to holding workshops.**** **** The vice minister stated that the strategic plan to combat AIDS fits all interventions in this area, whose the main challenge of the workshop is to draft the national plan for elimination of the new HIV infections in children by 2015.**** ** ** *2* NGO hails State?s pledge to AIDS patients **** ****Zambia**** Daily**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** By NIZA NAMWINGA**** ** ** THE Treatment, Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) has commended Government for expressing willingness to address challenges that may arise as a result of the one year suspension of the global fund.**** ** ** TALC national coordinator Felix Mwanza said his organisation is pleased with Government?s quick response to the challenge following the suspension of the global fund for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. **** ** ** ?We are happy that Government through the Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde has pledged to source funds for HIV, TB and malaria treatment in the country,? Mr Mwanza said. **** ** ** Mr Mwanza also said there is need for Government to assist hospices and health facilities such as Kara Clinic with funds for the HIV and AIDS response because the non availability of funds has affected their service delivery. **** ** ** He said due to the suspension of the global fund, Kara Clinic has shut down its centres in Kabwe, Chilanga and Choma.**** He said the Ministry of Health should quickly source funds to revamp operations of the clinic.**** Mr Mwanza said Zambia has recently seen a reduction in the HIV and AIDS prevalence rate as infections have gone down because patients were receiving treatment from clinics like Kara.**** ** ** He said the closure of Kara Clinic and others dealing with HIV and AIDS related illnesses may result in the recurrence of high infection levels. * *** Mr Mwanza said Government should quickly look into the plight of people living with HIV and AIDS and ensure that they easily access treatment even in the absence of the global fund. **** ** ** He appealed to the Ministry of Health to re-open all health facilities offering antiretroviral therapy that have been closed and render ensure that those threatened with closures are not closed but continue providing treatment to people living with HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** *3* Legalize prostitution to combat AIDS: ?Mama Africa? **** ****Informant?**, **Namibia******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by Clemans Miyanicwe **** ** ** The Director of Namibia?s largest sex-workers? organization, Rights not Rescue, has called upon the government to decriminalize prostitution as an important step in the fight against HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** Nicodemus Aochumub, better known as ?Mama Africa?, told Informant?: **** ** ** ?Government should decriminalize sex-work to make it easier for the industry to get access to universal health care and to enable them to lay charges with the police without the fear of being arrested. Discriminating against prostitutes will inevitably increase the HIV rate because they are helplessly exposed to abuse, even by police. We must unite in the fight against AIDS.? Mama Africa, who has been in the industry for 32 years, knows of numerous instances where police humiliated and maltreated prostitutes.**** ** ** ?How can we fight this deadly disease when law-enforcement officers take away condoms from the girls (prostitutes)? They throw them away and tell us we don?t deserve to use condoms. Some police officers force us into sex, otherwise we will end up in jail,? the Director revealed.**** ** ** Prostitutes are regularly cracked down on by law-enforcers under the Combating of Immoral Practices Act. ?This act is an apartheid law and must be abolished in an independent country. We (prostitutes) are not free even 21 years after independence. Prostitution is work and feeds many families,? emphasized Mama Africa.**** Rights not Rescue has more than 1,000 members in all 13 regions of the country. The organization educates prostitutes on HIV and AIDS and also hands out condoms. **** ** ** ?We are trying our best to protect them and their health. One thing is for sure: Decriminalizing prostitution would make a great deal in the fight against this disease,? Mama Africa is convinced. **** ?We (prostitutes) will throw our support behind those few more realistic and open-minded people like Kazenambo Kazenambo, whose only crime is to respect human rights,? he added. **** ** ** The Youth Minister came under fire from high ranking SWAPO politicians for speaking out in favour of the legalization of prostitution. According to Mama Africa, many of their clients are high-ranking and influential members of society, yet Namibian society lives in denial and turns a blind eye one the plight of sex workers.**** HIV infection among sex-workers has declined significantly in countries where prostitution is legalised. Prostitutes in Germany, for instance, are registered with the legal and health authorities, are required to undergo regular medical checks and pay tax.**** (Clemans Miyanicwe is a community reporter)**** ** ** *5* The Burden of Care on An HIV Mother **** ****Liberia**** Observer**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by by Fatoumata Fofana**** ** ** Scores of HIV-infected women who are in care at various health facilities in Liberia have called for a need to create an avenue for them to be self-employed. These women ? predominantly single moms ? have blamed stigma and discrimination for their limited or no access to livelihoods. ?In the end, we turned into beggars because of our status,? they have said. **** ** ** During a tour of three key health centers in the country last week by a high level delegation from UNITAID, the women did not mince their words emphasizing a need for them to be empowered economically. UNITAID is an international drug purchasing facility hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, who also serves as United Nations Under Secretary General for Innovative Financing, chairs it.**** ** ** A 25-year-old HIV-positive mother in care at a health facility in Monrovia told her story in these words: ?Some of my friends who have HIV are feeling ashamed to come to the hospital for medicines. For me, I make it a duty to come here every day to get my medicines, rice, beans, fish, oil, cubes.**** ** ** ?But that is not enough. My husband and I separated some years ago. He, too, is positive but our four children are negative. So, this left me with the burden to take care of the children on my own. The children need clothes, medicines and need to go to school. This hospital is not providing all of that for me. I only get food and my own medicines from here.?**** ** ** As a result, Helena resorted to doing laundry for various households in her neighborhood, in order to make the extra cash to meet other needs. But the stress in this activity is what is physically, psychologically and emotionally draining for this young woman. The above quote only reemphasizes the fact that the physical and psychological burden of HIV/AIDS falls heavily on women. This also has the propensity to persistently undermine the resilience of these positive women to the consequences of HIV/AIDS, and make adherence to treatment especially difficult.**** ** ** Helena explained that in carrying out her laundry duties, she first goes around the neighborhood to fetch eight buckets of water by hand before beginning to wash the clothes, bed sheets and other fabrics. She does this per household and is able to serve at least two homes per day.**** ** ** This young woman, like many HIV-positive mothers in Liberia, is compelled to cope with life this way. Regardless of their own ill health, they still need to care for and manage their individual households.**** ** ** This condition is, however, not unique to Helena. Beatrice is another HIV positive mother faced with harsh economic conditions. This 38-year-old mother of three children is one of the volunteers helping to retain her fellow HIV positive mothers in care at a local health facility in Monrovia. Although Beatrice doesn't seem deterred by her positive status, she is being heavily demoralized by her limited access to income-generation. All she desires is to have some funds to begin her own petty business in her neighborhood.**** ** ** ?I have been coming to this clinic to help to encourage my sisters and friends to remain in care. Some of us are very ashamed to come here. Others are rather afraid to come for treatment because there are fingers being pointed at them everyday. So, for them, they always want to remain in hiding. But those of us who have the courage to put the stigma and discrimination behind us also have to face another aspect of life and that has to do with being able to make ?small thing? (meager income) to feed our families and send our children to school,? she explained.**** ** ** Seybah is the president of HIV patients at a health center in Bong County. Though she acknowledged that HIV patients at that facility were being properly taken care of, she was quick to outline what she described as their urgent needs in these words: ?We get the drugs and we are responding to treatment. But the majority of us here are single mothers. We need money to do business.**** ** ** ?We need to educate our children ? the only gift we can give to them. We, ourselves, need to go back to school. Some of us are high school dropouts. We want our counselors, doctors to be properly trained to work with better. The ones here are not encouraging us. As a result, there are fingers being pointed at us in the communities. We need shelter because we are staying with family members who are discriminating against us.?**** ** ** But Lovetta Warner, another HIV positive mother, sees it all differently. In her testimony, she explained: ?I am the former president of the Liberian Women Empowerment Network (LIWEN). I was diagnosed positive in 2002. I am 57. I don't live with HIV. HIV lives with me. I control HIV. To cope with HIV is to sustain yourself, do something with your hands to be able to feed yourself. Like me, I have worked with my hands, sent my crouches abroad and through that, I have been able to build a house for myself.**** ** ** ?I have my own home. Being HIV positive is not the end of the world. It is not a death sentence. To hell with stigma and discrimination if I can sustain myself. Nobody can really know how they get infected with this virus. I was massively raped during the war. I have a daughter that I had before I got diagnosed. But she's negative. I have a friend to whom I will soon be getting married. He's negative. We manage it beautifully. We use condom and we have beautiful sex. But I am not a lover of female condoms. I rather he use it. He loves me a whole lot.?**** ** ** Not every HIV positive mother might be as lucky as Lovetta to withstand the test of time. The fact that she has the support of her significant other keeps her emotionally strong and going. But not in the case of Helena who was left to fend for herself and her four children. Definitely not in the case of Dorcas Johnson, a widow, left to fend for eight children and herself.**** ** ** Certainly without resources, economic empowerment, these women are vulnerable to abuses in every imaginable way. On the other side of the coin, there is also stigma and discrimination against in their communities of residence. As stated above by Seybah, those HIV mothers who cannot afford to rent their own dwelling places are compelled to endure constant stigma and discrimination from close relatives and other family members with whom these positive mothers reside. This degree of insecurity ? the threat of homelessness and destitution ? leaves women with few options. An ultimate survival strategy for many HIV positive women, especially younger ones, can be to turn to men for sex in order to buy school clothes or food for their children.**** ** ** Difficulties In Diagnosing Infants for HIV**** Meanwhile, health workers throughout the week reminded the visiting UNITAID delegation of the need to have a Polymers Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic machine in Liberia. The PCR diagnostic machine is used to diagnose infants infected with HIV. Also, Liberian medical practitioners made a call for more easy-to-use Cd4 count machines at different health centers around the country for easy assessment of HIV immunological status to the UNITAID delegation. Cd4 or Viral Load is another machine that looks at the number of virus in the blood, it is a complicated machine that is very expensive to run and is used to see if patients are failing their treatment. Many African patients still need to have access to this, and the test is not covered by the health service (Kenya and Cameroon for example).**** ** ** Detecting HIV in infants remains a major challenge in Liberia. Children born to HIV infected mothers cannot be diagnosed in the same way as older children and adults dues to the mothers' antibodies in the blood. As a result, for early infant diagnosis in this contemporary context, blood samples collected by the various health facilities across the country are shipped through the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), to South Africa for testing. Unfortunately it takes between two to three months for the results to be received. This extensive time lapse places the patients with the disease, especially infants where it is important to start treatment as early as possible, at further risk of a worsened situation or even death. PCR testing requires a good laboratory set up, expensive diagnosis machines and good access to reagents.**** ** ** With funds raised from a small tax on plane tickets in a handful of countries, including France along with regular contributions from other countries, UNITAID has been able to raise 2.5 billion of dollars to finance health commodities for the treatment of HIV TB and malaria. The organization supports public health outcomes in resource-limited settings, post-war settings and emerging economies. Tens of millions more have been spent in other countries with horrible outcomes, especially in terms of governance. Since 2007, UNITAID has operated in Liberia through UNICEF, WHO, the Clinton Foundation and the Global Fund to help improve the health needs of Liberians living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.**** ** ** *In a brief interview with the Daily Observer, UNITAID Chair Douste-Blazy disclosed that the next step for his organization in Liberia would be to invest in projects to improve diagnostics. ?We can better treat a patient if we can know how many viruses there are in the blood,? he said.* ** ** *6* HIV tests not mandatory on entry for any nationality? **** ****Jordan**** Times**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** by Khetam Malkawi**** ** ** AMMAN ? Libyans entering the country will not have to undergo mandatory HIV/AIDS testing as ?we cannot make a distinction between holders of different nationalities in health policies?, a Ministry of Health official said on Wednesday.**** ** ** Mohammad Abdallat, director of the ministry?s communicable diseases control (CDC) department, said citizens of various countries entering the Kingdom are treated in accordance with the same policy and undergo screening for communicable diseases only ?if they need a work permit or plan to undergo a surgical procedure?.**** ** ** Since the beginning of the year, the ministry has registered nine HIV/AIDS cases, 10 hepatitis B and six hepatitis C cases among non-Jordanians, he noted.**** ** ** ?Jordan is a medical hub for the countries of the region, and the number of patients seeking treatment in local hospitals is on the rise due to the unrest in some states,? Abdallat explained.**** ** ** He noted that the number of HIV and hepatitis cases discovered so far is not high compared to the influx of patients into the country.**** ** ** Currently there are more than 15,000 Libyans in the country?s hospitals and any patient diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will be deported, according to the health ministry official.**** ** ** ?We send them back to receive treatment in their country because of the high cost of medication, which amounts to JD400 a month,? he explained.**** ** ** The ministry has sent a circular to all hospitals requesting them to follow infection control measures and to inform the CDC when they discover any HIV or hepatitis case among patients, according to Abdallat.**** ** ** Although he was reluctant to comment on the number of HIV/AIDS cases detected among Libyan patients, a ministry source told The Jordan Times last week that five cases had been discovered among Libyan nationals, who were subsequently deported.**** ** ** Meanwhile, Awni Bashir, president of the Private Hospitals Association said the number of Libyan patients is on the rise and still not regulated.**** ** ** Noting that hundreds of Libyans arrive in Amman on a daily basis, he added that they come to the Kingdom for different medical purposes including plastic surgery and dental procedures.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** ?We know it?s wrong, but we don?t want to quit?**** Dawn, ****Pakistan******** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Faiza Mirza**** ** ** Raju, a 25-year-old boy from Quetta, migrated to Karachi to look for sustainable livelihood and better income prospects. Just like several other ?immigrants?, he picks garbage from various parts of Karachi. His life, however, took a devastating turn when he realised that the income prospects in Karachi are as bleak as in Quetta. Raju, who thought it wise to seek refuge in drugs, started injecting himself with heroin to drown his sorrows. **** ** ** Raju?s unidentified partner in crime was in another zone whilst injecting himself with a good dose of heroin.**** ** ** ?We know it is wrong but we do not want to quit. We use clean syringes and do not exchange them because we know it can cause Aids,? said Raju, rather incoherently, during one of his lucid moments.**** ** ** With a majority of its population living under the lower-income strata, Pakistan finds itself among the countries with an increasing number of HIV patients. Approximately 70 per cent of the total population resides in the rural areas, since agriculture remains the main source of income for many. Migratory practises and poverty have given rise to a number of diseases including Hepatitis and HIV/Aids.**** ** ** Over the last few years, HIV Aids cases have drastically increased in Pakistan, primarily amongst the injecting drug users (IDUs). Sindh and Punjab are the most affected regions because of their respective over-populated structure.**** ** ** Concentrated epidemic**** According to Dr Asma Nasim of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT) ? an expert in the area of infectious diseases ? Aids has become a ?concentrated epidemic? in Pakistan, with more than five per cent of the most-at-risk population (MARP) being infected. MARP includes all the commercial sex workers, including transvestites, IDUs and people who indulge in sexual activities with commercial sex workers. The spouses of MARPs are also under a massive threat of getting infected.**** ** ** ?Unofficial figures released by various authorities show that HIV/Aids has affected 27 per cent of the IDUS in Pakistan, as opposed to 16 per cent in the last year, which is alarmingly high. Considering the ratio of increase, it will be wise to say that the general population of Pakistan is also at risk of getting infected? Asma told Dawn.com.**** ** ** Lack of awareness, remains one of the most critical issues which, has played a pivotal role in spreading HIV/Aids.**** ** ** ?Most of the drug addicts are not unaware that the syringe being exchanged and used by 10 junkies, can cause HIV/Aids. The rest are not exactly bothered about the repercussions,? she added.**** ** ** Aids control campaigns**** Various not-for-profit and governmental organisations are trying to create awareness and curtail the spread of the disease. UNAids, Sindh Aids Control Programme and National Aids Control Programme are a few names that top the list.**** ** ** The doctors at SIUT pick IDUs and bring them to the hospital where they are tested for HIV/Aids.**** ** ** ?A CB4 cell-count test is conducted on each one of them and if the cut-off is less than 350, the IDUs are provided with a combination of zidovudine, lamivudine and nevaripine, amongst other drugs,? Asma said, adding that ?HIV/Aids patients are required to take these medicines for life?**** ** ** Success of the campaign relies on the detoxification of the addict and his/her conviction to stay away from unsafe practises which might transmit the disease.**** ** ** Rehabilitation and awareness are key to recovery, according to Dr Muhammad Zakria Kandhro ? President of Al-Nijat Welfare society ? an organisation dedicated to creating awareness about the disease. ?It is very important to detoxify the IDUs and get them used to the concept of taking medicines. They are provided with mock drugs and rehabilitated for three to six months.?**** ** ** Keeping the IDUs off the drugs can be very tricky, according to Kathleen Alexander, who is the Project Manager at the House of Hope. This, she said, is due to a low success rate, which can even come down to five per cent. Most of the IDUs relapse due to social alienation, poverty and domestic issues.**** ** ** The stigma **** Female carriers have the capacity to spread the infection at a rapid rate as the ratio of female sex workers is higher than male and transvestite sex workers in Pakistan. Female patients have a low registration rate as they are more stigmatised, due to their gender and societal norms.**** ** ** Female IDUs also live in the oblivion because the society is willing to accept a male addict but females are forbidden to reveal their fondness for ?acquired tastes.?**** ** ** ?The ratio of registered male population is higher than the female population. We have launched various awareness campaigns, which have helped bring the figures down and our Hyderabad centre is housing 250 female patients. Karachi also has a database of 50-55 female patients,? Kandhro said.**** ** ** Moreover, HIV-positive patients are also stigmatised for the ?epidemic? that they carry and are not admitted in the renowned state-owned hospitals.* *** ** ** An IDU perspective**** Ilahi Bux, a rehabilitated drug addict, is a 25-year-old boy who fell into the vicious trap of heroin. According to him poverty, domestic problems and many other economic factors enticed him to become an addict. However, he blatantly claims that back then we were not aware of the hazards of exchanging the same syringe.**** ** ** Nadeem John, another rehabilitated addict, said, ?I stopped taking heroin a year ago however was an addict for over 15 years. I have committed crimes and done every possible thing to satisfy my ?cravings?. We did not really care about HIV/Aids back then but now we do because government and organisations are putting in a lot of effort to highlight the issue.?**** ** ** Bleak future**** Global recessionary pressures and Pakistan?s stance on fight on terrorism, coupled with various other factors, have impacted the amount of donations that the international agencies previously granted Pakistan.**** ** ** ?Previously we were able to accommodate more IDUs, launch massive awareness drives and reach out to the general population because we had abundant funds. However, now we can only manage to induct 15 IDUs and HIV/Aids patients because the funding is almost nonexistent? said Alexander.**** ** ** Alexander is very pessimistic about the future of rehabilitated IDUs in Pakistan as many of the projects are closing down in the country.**** ** ** *2* Phuket to launch anti-AIDS campaign on Valentine's Day **** Phuket News**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Atchaa Khamlo and S. Fein**** ** ** PHUKET: Public health officials will launch a ?Getting to Zero AIDS? campaign on Valentine's Day to combat HIV/AIDS in Phuket, which has the highest incidence of HIV infection in Thailand, according to government statistics.**** ** ** The campaign will kick-off with a festival on February 14 at Phuket Rajabhat University, said Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) chief Sak Tanchaikul.**** ** ** There will be AIDS prevention exhibits, a student stage performance about high-risk behavior, and a debate and lecture by medical experts, said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** To draw in as many people as possible, famous singers Bew Kalayanee and Jeab Benjaporn are slated to perform at the event.**** ** ** ?The fact that Phuket has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS of any province in Thailand is a concern for the tourism industry. The PPHO will begin the ?Getting to Zero AIDS? project as part of the United Nations joint HIV/AIDS program, which aims to achieve three goals: zero new infections, zero deaths and zero stigma and discrimination,? said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** According to PPHO statistics from 1989 to December last year, there have been 7,415 HIV/AIDS patients treated in Phuket. Of these, 1,945 have died.** ** ** ** Last year 99 new cases were identified in Phuket and nine patients died.**** ** ** Phuket's huge migrant population is the reason Phuket gets the dubious distinction of being Thailand's HIV/AIDS leader.**** ** ** This is because infection rates are based on reported cases divided by the official population, as determined by the number of people registered in the province.**** ** ** Phuket's registered population is about 330,000, though official estimates have put the actual population at twice that figure.**** ** ** The PPHO?s plan is to reduce the amount of new HIV infections by about 66 per cent this year. It also hopes to reduce to less than two per cent the number of HIV-infected newborns, he said.**** ** ** The PPHO hopes to achieve its second goal of halving the annual number HIV/AIDS deaths by 2016. Providing equal medical treatment for all HIV/AIDS patients will be the key to reaching this goal, he said.**** ** ** The PPHO also hopes to introduce laws and policies that will stop discrimination against HIV/AIDS infected people in the work place by 2016, said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** *4* One-fifth of gay ****Auckland**** men with HIV unaware they are infected *** * ****New Zealand**** Herald**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** A fifth of gay and bisexual Auckland men with HIV are unaware they are infected, new research has found.**** ** ** The Otago University study is the first community-based biological measure of HIV to estimate of the rate of undiagnosed and overall HIV infection among gay and bisexual Auckland men.**** ** ** The research suggests 6.5 per cent of gay and bisexual Auckland men have HIV, with 21 per cent of those unaware they are infected.**** ** ** The finding comes after the highest number of new HIV diagnoses was recorded among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand in 2010.**** ** ** Lead investigator Peter Saxton, of Otago University's department of preventive and social medicine, said undiagnosed HIV infection rates must be taken seriously if the virus was to be better controlled.**** ** ** "A person with undiagnosed HIV cannot tell someone they're infected and might not initiate safe sex. The practical reality of this is that everyone, especially gay men, needs to become better educated, supported and proficient at safe sex to control HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,"**** ** ** The study, carried out in February last year, recruited 1049 gay and bisexual men from community settings.**** ** ** Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire and provided an anonymous saliva specimen, which could be linked together by a unique code.**** ** ** The researchers compared respondents' self-reported HIV test history with their saliva result to find 1.3 per cent of HIV positive men did not know they were infected.**** ** ** Most believed they did not have HIV, and many had previously tested for HIV. **** ** ** The overall HIV infection rate was the same for European and Maori participants, but non-European respondents were less likely to be aware they had HIV.**** ** ** Younger infected gay men also appeared to be less likely to be aware of their infection.**** ** ** Dr Saxton said while testing was a cornerstone of control and needed to be made more accessible, testing alone was not the answer.**** ** ** "There will always be a lag between infection and diagnosis, and a person is particularly infectious early in the course of HIV infection when partners can be exposed unwittingly. This is why condom use remains key to control of your own and your partner's risk," he said.**** ** ** HIV positive people who remained undiagnosed delayed treatments that could improve their quality of life and life expectancy.**** ** ** "While treatments don't eliminate the HIV virus, they keep it at low levels and also reduce a person's infectiousness to others."**** ** ** The research, carried out by ****Otago** **University****'s AIDS Epidemiology Group, was a collaboration with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.**** ** ** The findings were published in the journal BMC Public Health.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** What does the second decade hold for the Global Fund? **** The Guardian**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Annie Kelly**** ** ** At Davos last week, the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria received an unexpected birthday gift from Bill Gates in the form of a $750m "promissory note" to help shore up its faltering finances.**** ** ** In pledging his hefty financial support, Gates effectively rescued the fund's 10-year birthday celebrations. Despite its staggering successes ? including helping put 3.3 million people on Aids treatment, 8.6 million on anti-tuberculosis treatment and providing 230m insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria ? the fund's recent troubles had threatened to overshadow its accomplishments as it prepared to mark a decade as the world's main financier of programmes to fight these three global epidemics.* *** ** ** In recent years the fund has become mired in much-documented struggles with corruption, management breakdowns and a crippling $2bn funding shortfall, all compounded by the swiftness of the global economic downturn and donor fatigue.**** ** ** There are fears that the knock-on decision to suspend the fund's 11th round of funding and not disperse any more money until 2014 will have catastrophic consequences. There are predictions that without continued support countries such as **Zambia** and ****Malawi**** will struggle to keep pace with infection rates and keep people on lifesaving medication, impacting on millions of vulnerable patients.**** ** ** Gate's pledge was a show of faith that provided more than just a much-needed cash boost as he urged donors and the world to keep confidence in the fund's ability to "[get] so much bang for our buck".**** ** ** Restore reputation**** The fund hopes that this, coupled with the departure of its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, and the commissioning of an independent review that recommended an overhaul of its grant management and financial practices, will help re-establish its reputation as it steps into its second decade.**** ** ** While all of this is clearly good news for the beleaguered fund, some frontline agencies are still reluctant to join in the celebrations.**** ** ** M?decins Sans Fronti?res' (MSF) HIV adviser, Sharonann Lynch, says Gates's cash should be a wake-up call for the fund's new board to "get back to work". "When addressing epidemics, the number one factor is speed ? and this isn't the time to hit the snooze button," she says.**** ** ** "Over the past few years the sense of urgency which once defined the work of the fund has become greatly diminished, and the board basically gave themselves a holiday instead of stepping up and doing their job and ensuring that the funding shortfall was made up. On the one hand, they have a new ambitious strategy for change; and on the other, they have effectively closed for business. And it is this lack of coherence that we find troubling ? and patients will come to find deadly."**** ** ** ** ** On the back of the new injection of funding, MSF is pushing for the fund to hold an emergency donor conference so that affected countries can apply for new grants and expand life-saving treatment this year. It is also urging the fund to become more creative in ensuring that it doesn't get caught on the back foot of funding cuts again.**** ** ** "On top of voluntary funding, we also need predictable mechanisms ? such as the financial transaction tax currently being debated in **Europe** ? with part of funds generated to be dedicated to global health, including the Global Fund," adds Lynch.**** ** ** Sir Richard Feachem, a founding executive of the fund in 2002 and now the director of the Global Health Group at the ****University** of **California* ***, agrees that the fund must become more flexible. "Times have changed since we founded the fund and I think [it] certainly should have been more agile in foreseeing the impact of the global financial crisis on its income and in re-engineering in ways that would allow continued progress in the light of constrained income," he says.**** ** ** Value for money**** Feachem argues that to do this the fund now needs to focus strongly on value for money ? an opportunity he believes has not yet been seized on by the management team as it scrambles to regroup.**** ** ** "Despite the independent review and the raft of recommendations and reforms, there needs to be a very strong move towards a cash on delivery or pay for performance model, which has not happened yet," he says. "Such a model is perfect for the fund, is consistent with its founding principles, would help move the fund away from the problems of corruption, and would improve efficiency enormously by, for example, setting a standard price for each unit of outcome or output."**** ** ** So how else can the fund ensure it regains momentum and moves forward into it's second decade?**** ** ** According to Alvaro Bermejo, executive director of the International HIV/Aids Alliance and current Global Fund board member, the fund can no longer rely on the discourse of panic and emergency.**** ** ** "It's important to understand the context in which the fund was created in 2002, which was very much as an emergency response, something which people tend to forget now," he says. "In this super rapid scale-up, the discourse at the time was that we were in emergency, so of course there was going to be some corruption and some mismanagement, which was right in the start but, as you develop and begin to know your enemy better, this has become insufficient."**** ** ** Bermejo says this has meant that as infection rates have started dropping, the fund's rhetoric has effectively become counter-productive, feeding the perception among some donors that the emergency is over.**** ** ** "Because the Fund didn't adapt its message it worked against the idea that there was still an urgent need for continued and sustained funding," he says. "And this needs to be urgently addressed."**** ** ** Elimination and eradication**** He argues that now the fund needs to look towards the language coming from the ****US**** ? from donors like Bill Gates and politicians such as Hillary Clinton ? calling for elimination and eradication of malaria and Aids within a generation. This, he says, could provide the fuel needed to keep the engine of the fund running over the next decade.**** ** ** "In Europe we're more scared of failure, so we don't like words like eradication, but there is no standing still when it comes to fighting infectious diseases," he says. "The fund has to find ways of reinjecting that urgency and determination back into its work over the next decade even if infection rates continue to decline."**** ** ** Feachem says a "certain complacency" must now be rectified by creative and positive change. If this happens, he believes the fund can even expand it's work to tackle other global health epidemics.**** ** ** "The fund needs to continue to pioneer a model for development finance that is a 21st-century model, and not a 1960s model, as still practised by most institutions. If continuing innovation can guide the development of the Global Fund, then I can see it eventually taking on additional tasks, such as maternal and neonatal health and becoming a real force for long-term change.**** ** ** "However, in the short-term, the main priority must be ensuring that the extraordinary progress in the fight against Aids, TB and malaria achieved in the past 10 years does not get reversed."**** ** ** *3* GSK's Andrew Witty on the future of pharma collaboration to help poor countries **** The Guardian**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** SarahBoseley?s GlobalHealthBlob**** Posted by Sarah Boseley**** ** ** Just before the all-singing, all-dancing launch of the big initiative to control or eliminate 10 neglected diseases ? starring 13 CEOs from Big Pharma, the WHO's director general, Margaret Chan, and Bill Gates ? I grabbed a few words with Sir Andrew Witty, head of GlaxoSmithKline, who co-chaired the negotiations over the past year with Gates.**** ** ** I was keen to know who was responsible for getting 13 CEOs, or as someone described it to me, 13 huge egos, together round the table. Was it Gates? Was it Chan? Was it Witty? Diplomatically, everybody said it was a combination of all of them. So I asked Witty to expand on this new spirit of collaboration among billion-dollar companies that used to fight tooth and nail.**** ** ** Here, in his own words, without further comment from me, is what he said:*** * ** ** ?We basically decided a little over a year ago that the NTDs [neglected tropical diseases] was an area where we could make some impact, get some traction.**** ** ** The WHO 2020 goals gave us a focus to put some hard expectations in place: which diseasses, by when? How are we going to get this done?**** ** ** I've been delighted at the energy we've found in the other companies. It's great to make individual progress, but if we could just get the broader front to move then something much bigger could be achieved and this is it, I think.**** ** ** The biggest achievement over the last year, I think, has been to get some of the companies to really massively increase their commitments, so that everybody is kind of at this at an industrial level, and I hope that what everybody is going to see today is an industry at its best, actually.**** ** ** We saw with that with the intellectual property ? We've now seen 13 companies signed up to Wipo [World intellectual Property Organisation] with something which has built a model around the GSK patent pool, and we've signed up ourselves to that. So actually here we are, two and a half years later, where pretty much all the IP [intellectual property], all the analagous IP to the kind of things we were offering up a couple of years ago, is now available or will be available through Wipo. So I think you are beginning to see a shift in the industry. I think this won't be the end of it.**** ** ** I think this is reinforcing for all the CEOs that there are sensible areas where we can work together for the public good, for society's good. We can still compete like crazy in other areas, but there are areas where we can work sensibly together and, guess what, there are also changes to the business model which allow us to be succesful in areas which have historically been very difficult. So, for example, you might have opening up IP today ? we and others are opening up more compound libraries for more research into difficult disease areas. We can be more flexible in the business model than the industry has been historically. It doesn't mean the industry can't compete but we can do things a bit differently.**** ** ** I think today's a big, big step forward. There will always be more we can do. My prediction is the next discussion will be how do we synchronise better on the ground, what are the logistical challenges on the ground to actually get things done efficiently, what about capacity-building, healthcare workers ? as you know, one of the things we've done is to put 20% of our profits back into capacity-building which is going directly to healthcare workers. I think that will be the next step. In terms of what should this industry be doing preferentially, it should be making available the drugs which nobody else has for people in these countries who suffer from these diseases ? we're doing that today ? and we should be committing ourselves to discover more, better drugs for the future, and we're doing that today and we're collaborating with others to maker it happen quicker.?* *** ** ** *4***** ****Ukraine****: Online Interactive Map Helps Fight HIV**** Global Voices**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by**** Maryna Reshetnyak**** ** ** Ukraine has a high number of HIV infected people. To address this problem private Ukrainian Charity Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS foundation in partnership with the Ukrainian office of Google launched the news social service maps.antiaids.org on December 1, 2011, the World Aids Day. The new service will help Ukrainian Internet users easier and faster to find the sites of HIV testing in their region as well as condom vending machines.**** ** ** The web-site of ANTIAIDS foundation reported that in the framework of the project for the fist time in Ukraine a database 927 sites of HIV testing was created.**** ** ** The interactive map shows not only the address of a particular site but also telephone numbers and the information about business hours. It also lists whether the site is unanimous or a person needs to present the ID. The database includes 173 sites of fast testing where a person can get the results in 15-20 minutes.**** ** ** In addition, the HIV Testing Sites map service contains a FAQ section where a user can find all the information necessary for HIV testing such as how long to wait for a test results, is it possible to receive the results via e-mail or telephone, how much it will cots, what is the procedure of the testing and how to interpret the result, what to do if the results are positive or negative.**** ** ** All this information is available not only in Internet but also on HIV/AIDS national hotline.**** ** ** The condoms wending machines map helps people of major Ukrainian cities to find the nearest machine and to receive the instructions on how to use it. The advantages of the machines are speed and simplicity and that people can purchase the condoms anonymously, without attracting attention of other people and without and interaction with shop assistance like in supermarkets or pharmacies, ANTIAIDS web-site reported.**** ** ** According to Google Ukraine blog the future plan of the project includes implementing improved navigation map and preparation of the mobile version of the service.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Realizan pruebas de sida y s?filis de manera gratuita **** El Imparcial, Mexico**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Por Rub?n A. Ruiz**** raruiz at elimparcial.com**** ** ** Pruebas gratuitas de sida y s?filis, entre otras, se est?n llevando a cabo gratuitamente en las jornadas de Mi?rcoles Ciudadano, anunci? la directora municipal de Salud, Gabriela de Le?n de Quintero.**** ** ** Inform? que se hacen por parte de la Secretar?a de Salud por medio de los centros Capasits, dedicado a prevenci?n y atenci?n a enfermos de sida y otras enfermedades de transmisi?n sexual.**** ** ** ?Estamos en una etapa que preferimos medicina preventiva que curar enfermedades, por eso se est? ofreciendo gratuitamente a la gente que crea necesario y saber cu?l es su estado y si tiene o no sida?, coment?.**** ** ** La funcionaria invit? a la comunidad a aprovechar esta oportunidad, sobre todo aquellos que hayan tenido una conducta de riesgo o que no est?n seguros de su pareja.**** ** ** ?La persona acude aqu?, se hace la prueba, para saber si tiene anticuerpos contra sida, es una gota de sangre, si sale positiva tiene que acudir al Capasits para hacer la prueba siguiente que es Elisa.**** ?Y otra prueba m?s indicativa para empezar su tratamiento, cualquier gente que crea que ha tenido una conducta de riesgo por relaciones sexuales sin cond?n o sea drogadicto o se inyecte con jeringas usadas puede acudir?, explic?.**** ** ** Asimismo, continu?, en el caso de mujeres embarazadas, ya que con un tratamiento a tiempo puede evitar que su hijo nazca con la enfermedad.**** ** ** Es de destacar que tambi?n pueden acudir de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a 13:00 horas al centro Capasits, ubicado por la avenida Jes?s Garc?a, donde en forma gratuita se le hace la prueba.**** ** ** *3* Sida afecta a menores de edad**** Diario del Ot?n, Colombia**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Pereira, Dosquebradas, Santa Rosa de Cabal y La Virginia, son los cuatro municipios risaraldenses seleccionados para la puesta en marcha de un proyecto de prevenci?n del VIH-Sida.**** ** ** Menores de 12, 15 y 17 a?os de edad hacen parte de la lista de los 234 casos nuevos registrados de VIH en Risaralda en el a?o 2011, de los cuales 150 se presentaron en Pereira, 47 en Dosquebradas, 8 en Santa Rosa de Cabal y 7 en La Virginia, municipios que hacen parte de los 75 seleccionados en Colombia para comenzar a ejecutarse un proyecto internacional de lucha contra el Sida.**** ** ** Aunque la incidencia de Sida en menores de edad es baja en el departamento, seg?n la Secretar?a de Salud de Risaralda se registraron al menos cinco casos de adolescentes contagiados el a?o pasado y a?n no se ha determinado el mecanismo de transmisi?n.**** ** ** La presencia de casos de la enfermedad en menores de edad tiene en alerta a las autoridades de salud que este a?o acompa?ar? la ejecuci?n de un proyecto en construcci?n de capacidad comunitaria e institucional para la oferta de servicios preventivos de salud y reducci?n de la morbimortalidad y vulnerabilidad asociada al VIH-Sida en grupos claves afectados.**** ** ** Campa?as de entrega de condones, promoci?n de pruebas de tamizaje para diagnosticar la enfermedad, capacitaciones a personal m?dico, charlas a la comunidad y trabajo articulado con fundaciones que trabajan con personas con VIH-Sida, har?n parte de las acciones que ser?n implementadas este a?o en los cuatro municipios risaraldenses con mayor incidencia de la enfermedad.**** ** ** De lo 234 casos que se presentaron en el 2011, 158 fueron hombres y 75 mujeres, los cuales en su mayor?a son heterosexuales.**** ** ** El proyecto que actualmente es implementado en cuatro municipios de Risaralda fue impulsado por la Novena Ronda del Fondo Mundial de Lucha Contra el Sida, en la que particip? Colombia, y donde se asignaron unos recursos importantes para la ejecuci?n del programa de prevenci?n durante cinco a?os.**** ** ** El coordinador del programa en Colombia es una ONG denominada CMF, quien se encarg? de la selecci?n de 75 municipios del pa?s, con base a las cifras de incidencia de la enfermedad.**** ** ** La poblaci?n que ha contra?do en el ?ltimo a?o VIH en el departamento, en su gran mayor?a, tiene edades comprendidas entre 20 y 39 a?os, seguida por los mayores de 50, lo que representa que los riesgos de contagio en j?venes son m?s elevados que en otras edades. Usar preservativo es la ?nica manera de prevenir esta enfermedad que desde su inicio en Colombia en 1983 hasta el pasado julio, han padecido 83.467 personas aproximadamente.**** ** ** Es de resaltar que las cifras de incidencia en la regi?n pueden ser mayores, muchos ciudadanos pueden ser portadores y no saberlo, pues el VIH es asintom?tico y hasta que no se realicen los ex?menes correspondientes no se dar?n cuenta.**** ** ** Es importante aclarar que el VIH no es lo mismo que el Sida, mientras el primero se trata de la existencia del Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana en la persona es asintom?tico. El segundo, el Sida, es una etapa avanzada de la infecci?n por VIH con presencia de s?ntomas.**** ** ** *4***** Importancia de los controles prenatales **** ABC Digital, Paraguay**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Difunden la importancia del control prenatal con el lema ?Mam? sana, beb? sano?, desde el Ministerio de Salud P?blica.**** ** ** * Es importante que las embarazadas asistan a los controles prenatales, cuiden su salud y alimentaci?n para asegurar su bienestar y el de su beb?. Este control debe ser peri?dico y precoz, antes del cuarto mes de embarazo, recomienda la cartera sanitaria. Advierte que si no se llevan a cabo los controles pertinentes, en caso de padecer alguna patolog?a, el cuadro podr?a agravarse.**** ** ** Control precoz**** ** ** * Es necesario el monitoreo permanente de ambas personas. Este control debe ser precoz, antes del cuarto mes de embarazo, y abarca no solo los an?lisis laboratoriales, sino tambi?n inspecciones f?sicas peri?dicas a cargo de profesionales m?dicos y de la propia madre sobre su cuerpo.**** ** ** * Recu?rdese que tanto las consultas m?dicas como los an?lisis laboratoriales y las ecograf?as son brindados gratuitamente en cualquiera de los servicios dependientes del Ministerio de Salud. Los ex?menes incluyen pruebas de hemograma, glicemia, tipificaci?n, VIH y VDRL.**** ** ** An?lisis necesarios**** * Una madre puede estar aparentemente sana, sin embargo, puede tener alguna de estas infecciones (VIH, s?filis), que se adquieren por v?a sexual y pueden pasar muchos a?os sin presentar ning?n s?ntoma.**** * Si el resultado del an?lisis es positivo, se deben iniciar cuanto antes las medidas para reducir la posibilidad de que el ni?o nazca con VIH, se infecte con s?filis o muera.**** ** ** * Estos an?lisis se realizan en la mayor?a de los hospitales dependientes del Ministerio de Salud P?blica, son sencillos y se necesita una sola muestra de sangre para ambos.**** *Si la prueba de VIH o s?filis da positiva, la criatura est? en peligro si no se toman las medidas pertinentes de protecci?n. El virus del VIH se puede transmitir durante el embarazo, durante el parto o a trav?s de la leche materna. Sin tratamiento, entre el 25 al 40% de los nacidos de madres con VIH contraen el virus, y el 70% de los nacidos de madres con s?filis mueren al poco tiempo de nacer o sufren ceguera, retardo mental, deformaci?n facial u otros s?ntomas.**** *?Se puede hacer algo para que el beb? no nazca con este virus? La criatura puede nacer sana. Apenas se recibe el resultado positivo del an?lisis, se debe iniciar el tratamiento con medicamentos espec?ficos, los medicamentos contra el virus del VIH son gratuitos. Adem?s el m?dico debe programar el parto por ces?rea, antes de que inicien las contracciones de la madre, quien tampoco deber? amamantar al reci?n nacido, pues la leche materna contiene el virus; por su parte, la criatura recibir? un medicamento por 42 d?as para reducir la posibilidad de contraer el virus.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Why the Global Fund Matters (OpEd) **** New York Times**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** By PAUL FARMER**** ** ** Ten years ago, the heads of the G-8 countries met in Genoa, Italy, to back the establishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ? a new funding mechanism that dramatically increased resources available to fight preventable, treatable diseases stalking the poor and depleting developing economies around the globe**** ** ** In 2001, very few people ? almost none, really ? living with H.I.V. in Africa had access to antiretroviral medicines. Today, more than 3.3 million people ? more than half of those on treatment worldwide ? are on treatment supported by the Global Fund: A true victory for the global community. The fund and the U.S. international AIDS program, Pepfar (the President?s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program), are the most ambitious global health endeavors in generations. **** ** ** Now, 10 years since its founding, the Global Fund is facing a serious financial shortfall, and the fund?s board voted recently not to accept new grant requests until at least 2014. Bill Gates? announcement of a $750 million contribution to the fund in Davos last week was welcome news ? the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been among the greatest supporters of the Global Fund since its inception ? but will not change the board?s decision. They knew of Gates? donation before they canceled the current round of grant-making. **** ** ** This funding deficit hit right when the end of AIDS became plausible: Last year, scientific breakthroughs provided conclusive evidence that putting more people on treatment earlier can significantly reduce incidence of H.I.V. Treatment is prevention. **** ** ** Beyond AIDS, the Global Fund is currently the largest donor in the world for tuberculosis and malaria programs. Operating in 150 countries, it has treated more than 8 million cases of tuberculosis and distributed 230 million insecticide-treated nets. Deaths from malaria are down nearly 40 percent in most of Africa. The question is not whether the Global Fund works, but how to ensure it keeps working for years to come. **** ** ** In my mind, there are four reasons this is imperative: **** ** ** First, the world needs to expand, not contract, access to health care because of the sheer burden of disease. It is unconscionable that, in 2012, we are still living in a world where millions of poor people die of preventable and treatable diseases. **** ** ** Second, the Fund doesn?t simply give handouts; it takes the longer road of investing in and working with health ministries. In doing so, it seeks to build (or rebuild) local health systems, develop platforms for transparency and accountability, boost local procurement and improve supply chains, and help train civil servants and health professionals. **** ** ** This approach has had profound spillover effects on other health and development priorities. In central Haiti, for example, establishing effective treatment programs for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has raised the standard of care for chronic conditions like major mental illness, heart failure and several forms of cancer. **** ** ** Third, the Global Fund proves how much multilateral organizations can accomplish. While the usual players ? the G-8, say ? bear the greatest financial burden, I would urge some of the recipient countries to consider themselves partners of and contributors to the fund. In today?s global economy, countries like India, Russia and China play meaningful roles as donors and as recipients of grants. Gabriel Jaramillo, a Brazilian banker who last week was named the fund?s general manager, will surely strengthen these links and reinvigorate its leadership. The Global Fund is a truly multilateral organization, and stronger for it. **** ** ** Fourth, a recession is a lousy excuse to starve one of the best (and only) instruments we have for helping people who live on a few dollars a day. Most marginalized populations around the globe have always faced economic contraction; ?financial crisis? has been ongoing for them since the day they were born. It would be a great mistake to allow one of the world?s most effective global health institutions to fail because we need to get our own fiscal house in order. **** ** ** Along with Pepfar, the Global Fund has, without question, helped turn the corner on AIDS. It has also helped realize substantial gains against TB and malaria that must be maintained. We need to summon the funding and political will, now, to protect the hard-fought progress of the past decade. **** ** ** Simply put, if we allow the fund to fail, many people will die, and we will forfeit the chance at the ?AIDS-free generation? that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for in November. This is no time to step back. **** ** ** *Paul Farmer is chairman of the department of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School and a cofounder of Partners in Health, which has received support from the Global Fund in Haiti, Lesotho and Russia. * *A version of this op-ed appeared in print on February 2, 2012, in The International Herald Tribune*. **** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120203/e3c31eef/attachment.html From thanhhien at abtvn.com Tue Jan 31 02:06:30 2012 From: thanhhien at abtvn.com (Hien Nguyen) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:06:30 -0800 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Abt Associates Inc - Carrer Opportunity Message-ID: <9BBF2352C397394C9982A6FA38463B1B06950E4771@VA3DIAXVS951.RED001.local> Dear All, Abt Associates Inc. is now seeking for a talented, dynamic and highly motivated Vietnamese individuals for our new project in Danang city. We therefore would appreciate if you could help us to circulate the attached Vacancy Announcement among those who have interest. Thanks and B. Regards Hien Nguyen Thanh Hien Abt Associates Inc. 3rd Floor, 72 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho District, Hanoi Tel: 84-4-37185716 (162) Fax: 84-4-37182652 ________________________________ This message may contain privileged and confidential information intended solely for the addressee. Please do not read, disseminate or copy it unless you are the intended recipient. If this message has been received in error, we kindly ask that you notify the sender immediately by return email and delete all copies of the message from your system. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment-0003.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Type: application/msword Size: 147968 bytes Desc: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment-0003.doc From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Wed Feb 1 02:21:18 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:21:18 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (12.01.31ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103506@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103506@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: ** Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. The Africa Report - HIV/AIDS: ****Africa** is too dependent**** * * ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* 1. The Herald, ****Zimbabwe**** - Giving Is the Way Out of Poverty**** 2. The New Times, **Rwanda** - ****Rwanda****: Mrs. Kagame Takes Part in First Ladies' Assembly Against HIV**** 3. East Africa News Post - ****RWANDA****: HIV positive women denied inheritance rights ? report**** 4. GhanaWeb - HIV Caregivers face isolation **** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* 1. ****VietNam**** News - Gov't support for HIV/AIDS fight needed **** ** ** ***EUROPE***** 1. The Guardian, **UK** - Violent prejudice against ****Jamaica****'s gay people must stop**** 2. Reuters AlertNet - East Africans warn funding cuts will increase AIDS deaths**** 3. Reuters Aler - Helping HIV Patients in ****Lebanon******** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. El Universal, Mexico - M?xico frente al VIH: un panorama adverso para 2012 **** 2. Radio Habana, Cuba - Cuba: una eficaz estrategia en la lucha contra el SIDA**** 3. **Stabroek News**, **Guyana** - ****Guyana**** health ministry to focus on STIs overshadowed by HIV**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** 1. The New York Times - AIDS Prevention Inspires Ways to Make Circumcisions Easier**** 2. The New York Times - New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect**** 3. Huffington Post - Ten Years of The Global Fund: a Crossroads and a Choice **** 4. Associated Press - Design chosen for NYC AIDS memorial park **** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* 1. UNAIDS ? UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** HIV/AIDS: **Africa** is too dependent**** The **Africa** Report**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Africa is too dependent on external resources, especially for the Aids response and this must change, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidib?, told the continent's leaders at the AU summit at Addis Ababa**** ** ** "This is a source of great risk and potential instability. The status quo cannot be sustained - it is time for a new development paradigm that is developed and owned by the leaders of Africa," he said.**** ** ** A press release by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) secretariat in Accra on Sunday says Sidibe asked African governments to take on a greater share of Aids investments in their countries, since financing a sustainable response to the HIV epidemic in Africa requires home-grown and innovative solutions.**** ** ** This comes after a report in November 2011, by UNAIDS, charged with the international campaign against HIV and Aids, indicated that new infections were declining sharply as a result of a better anti-retroviral therapy coverage with the most dramatic increases in anti-retroviral therapy coverage occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.**** ** ** The report revealed that the decreasing infection rates were due to changes in sexual behaviour, increased condom use and people waiting longer before becoming sexually active with 47 percent HIV+ people now receiving treatment out of 14.2 million eligible people in low and middle income countries, but Sidib? maintained that it was high time Africa took control of the HIV/Aids situation.**** ** ** Scaling up**** An estimated two-thirds of Aids expenditure in Africa comes from international funding, according to a new UNAIDS study titled "Aids dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions," which reveals that a vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in Africa were imported from generic manufacturers.**** ** ** But experts say that whilst the cost of HIV drug regimens have declined significantly in recent years, they remained high and unsustainable, and prices must be further reduced to reach all people eligible for treatment.** ** ** ** Nonetheless, Africa will require between US$11 and US$12 billion for its Aids response by 2015 and US$3 and US$4 billion more than the current expenditure, UNAIDS estimates show.**** ** ** And to attain its zero infection, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths strategy UNAIDS said in last year's report that it needed "a scaling up of funding to US$22 - 24 billion in 2015". However, only US$15 billion was available for the Aids response in low and middle income countries during the latter half of last year.**** ** ** Generating revenue**** Nepad has suggested that revenue generating sources should include taxing alcohol and tobacco consumption or the use of mobile telephones. African leaders could also explore the wider use of "soft loans" from the African Development Bank.**** ** ** Having a single African Medicines Regulatory Agency could also expedite the rollout of quality assured HIV drugs, as well as the development of centres of excellence in Africa to catalyse the local production of high-quality HIV medicines and build Africa's knowledge-based economy.**** ** ** Africa accounted for 70 percent of the world's new infections in 2010 registering about 1.2 million HIV/Aids related deaths despite the sharp decline in HIV infection levels.**** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** Giving Is the Way Out of Poverty**** The Herald, ****Zimbabwe******** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By Gertrude Takawira**** ** ** Everything he touches seems to prosper. Bill Gates gave us his innovations in information and communication technology, by co-founding and building Microsoft to global extends. Gates became the second richest man in the world after the Mexican Carlos Slim.**** ** ** His innovations have taken a new twist. This time, instead of amassing riches, he is giving it out for the good of all. Interestingly both ventures, creating wealth and philanthropy, are a success for Gates.**** ** ** So successful is Gates that he had the confidence to take both good and rotten cassava to this year 2012, Davos for presentation at the World Economic Forum, a high profile event typically associated with caviar.**** ** ** In addition to material wealth, success includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, spiritual, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being and peace of mind. Wrongly, many people tend to limit success to financial and material terms, and thus miss out on the true joy of life.**** ** ** The joy of fulfilling one's desires with effortless ease is how nature or the universe provides for us, rather that the gruelling hard labour, upon which current global system is founded.**** ** ** Thus true success is measured through giving and receiving, which are age old principles upon which the universe is designed to avail abundance to all creation.**** ** ** There is a lot of literature in both secular and spiritual languages, which teach us on the need to be in harmony or in unity with divine systems. Disunity, bring about sickness, poverty, environmental challenges, wars and general lack instead of abundance.**** ** ** One the other hand, giving and receiving ensure consistent flow of provisions, just as the flow of blood ensures nourishment to all our body systems. Any amount of hoarding exerts pressure on the universal trading system and constricts free flow of wealth and provisions.**** ** ** This insight and vision, which some have relegated to churches and charity bodies, others doubt it totally, others have abused it and yet others still are loyal to, is what Gates is now being innovative about.**** ** ** Eradicating polio for instance is one of his goals for a better world. His philanthropy is on a grand scale. He plans to eradicate diseases in his lifetime that have plagued humanity for thousands of years.**** ** ** The Bill and Melinda Foundation is the world's largest philanthropic organisation which donates about US$300 million a year to agriculture projects, a little more than one-tenth of its overall annual commitments. About half of the organisation's money goes to health care, including efforts to fight AIDS, polio and malaria, while the rest is dedicated to education and other programmes.**** ** ** The novelty about Bill Gates' latest philanthropic interests is in the realisation that if the wealthiest individuals and families do not give, then the global wealth creation system will simply dry up.**** ** ** Watching men and women at Davos, painstakingly trying to place their fingers on the cause and solutions to the economic downturn and the euro zone crisis, it is evident that these political and economic leaders have run out of ideas.**** ** ** When corporate leadership realises and deliberately engage in a culture of giving, more wealth will be shared and therefore released into circulation. More work gets done with ease and greater success and ultimate benefit for all also gets realised.**** ** ** Social responsibility becomes the corporate culture and the multitudes forms of rot are eliminated. Junior Murchison said, "Money is like manure. If you spread it around it does a lot of good. But if you pile it up in one place it stinks like hell".**** ** ** In societies across the world, there are lots of examples of individuals who once received large amounts of riches, but failed to give and share, there lifestyles in many ways became like a pile of manure. This pattern follows the principles of the universe, which operates through dynamic exchange.**** ** ** This exchange must be kept flowing through giving and receiving. The corporate, has in its custody large sums of money, which although some of it is released through taxes, more through the principle of giving must be shared, thankfully.**** ** ** Gates is applying the same attention to detail that made him such a business success into his new found passion of saving lives. This illustrates the enthusiasm which can only come through a grateful and joyful spirit.**** ** ** When addressing a school in the UK recently, Bill Gates explained how his foundation was systematically working to get rid of every last case of polio, a scourge which paralysed hundreds and thousands of people each year. **** ** ** The giving is not only limited to money or financial means, but also time and whatever it is that one desires to see in abundant supply. Some societies believe in this principle of giving and receiving, so much that they will give something, even if it a flower or a smile to each person they came across.**** ** ** One of the first things taught to a small child is to give and receive. Here in Africa, businesses do not have to look far to find opportunities to give. Poverty in our resource rich continent is prevalent. It is one area, which if every corporate on the continent would make it their goal to eradicate, should soon fade away.**** ** ** In fact, every corporate governance system should consider poverty a risk factor to the long term sustainability of business. When a business is surrounded by poverty, it does not flourish.**** ** ** Enjoying the fruits of the business, among the poor is impossible as one will constantly be reminded of poverty and someone will always want to take their place. I believe that the corporate leadership is able and can stand up to this challenge if they set their minds to it. The goal is equity.**** ** ** As if philanthropy is not enough for Gates, he recently appeared in one television programme, saying that he believes the rich in America, are currently not paying enough taxes and that they should pay more.**** ** ** This language is not common in the corporate world. A transformation is certainly taking place among the likes of Gates, members of the Giving Pledge and other wealthy people around the world including China.**** ** ** Poverty eradication can not be left to governments. The corporate has a role to play. If they diligently apply the same success factors in their businesses to the poverty eradication cause, it should be possible to turn millions of people living in poverty, into a productive society, one which has the capacity to give and receive.**** ** ** In that way the universe is kept busy in productive and not destructive pursuits. It then becomes possible for nations to enjoy peace and harmony.** ** ** ** Many business people have admired Bill Gates for having been among the richest man in the world. He provided solutions to the ICT sector which almost every one of the 7 billion people around the world has directly or indirectly benefited from.**** ** ** Now he is onto providing a different kind of solution, this time to a poignant challenge to humanity, through giving. How many in the corporate leadership will not only admire, but also emulate Gates?**** ** ** *The writer is a researcher and consultant in governance.* ** ** *2* ****Rwanda****: Mrs. Kagame Takes Part in First Ladies' Assembly Against HIV **** The New Times, ****Rwanda******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By Edwin Musoni**** ** ** Rwanda's First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, was among other African First Ladies who attended the eleventh Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/ Aids (OAFLA) General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.**** ** ** The meeting, whose theme is "An HIV/AIDS free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today," is held alongside the 18th AU summit in Addis Ababa which President Paul Kagame is attending.**** ** ** The First Ladies' meeting aimed at addressing issues on maternal mortality and the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS, revitalisation of OAFLA members and resource mobilisation.**** ** ** In her speech at the opening ceremony, the President of OAFLA; the First Lady of Namibia, Mrs. Penehupifo Pohamba, underscored the need to scale up EMTCT services with special emphasis on male involvement.**** ** ** A statement from the Mrs. Kagame's office indicates that, "In Rwanda the percentage of male involvement in EMTCT services is 83 percent".**** ** ** "Other guests at the General Assembly included the Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidib? and Mrs. Ban Soon Taek, wife of the UN Secretary General," it adds.**** ** ** During the seven years since the establishment of OAFLA, the African Ladies have accomplished various goals in their countries as well as regions. The results of their efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of children, women and youth on the continent.**** ** ** OAFLA was formed in 2002 by 37 First African First Ladies with the goal of advocating for the mobilisation of awareness and resources as well as the development of leadership, policies, strategies and actions to fight HIV/AIDS at the national, regional and global level.**** ** ** *3* ****RWANDA****: HIV positive women denied inheritance rights ? report **** **East Africa** New Post**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Women living with HIV/Aids in Gasabo and Nyanza districts are being denied their rights to inherit family property by their spouses and other relatives, a research conducted by the Women?s Network for Rural Development, commonly known by its French moniker Reseaux Des Femmes, has shown.**** ** ** According to the research, carried out in three sectors in each of the districts, husbands say they cannot offer property to someone destined for death, leaving women stranded.**** ** ** Worse, they are threatened and, at times, thrown out of their marital homes once the husband dies, says the report, made public at a workshop in Remera, Kigali last week.**** ** ** The survey, sponsored by UN Women, focussed on issues related to women?s property and inheritance in the context of HIV/Aids.**** ** ** Nutritional needs were highlighted as the other challenges facing the women, it said**** ** ** The research was carried out as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of women?s vulnerability to HIV/Aids through enhanced advocacy and increasing their access to property, according to Beata Busasa, the National Coordinator for Women?s Network for Rural Development.**** ** ** ?The research provides broader understanding of the challenges to women infected with HIV. People living with HIV need a lot of support to live their full lives just like anybody else,? Busasa said in an interview with The New Times.**** ** ** In the case of discordant couples (where one partner is negative), the report says, women are mistreated and accused of being responsible for bringing the virus.**** ** ** With an estimated three percent of the adult population infected with HIV, Rwanda is less affected than other regional countries.**** ** ** The National Strategic Plan on HIV and Aids 2009 to 2012 provides that people infected and affected by HIV have the same opportunities as the general population.**** ** ** However, grassroots leaders are not keen to resolve issues of violation of the inheritance rights of women infected with the virus, the report indicated. **** ** ** And most women, especially in rural areas, are ignorant of where to seek appropriate help in case their rights are abused, the researchers said.**** ** ** *5* HIV Caregivers face isolation **** GhanaWeb**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Ho, Jan 30, GNA - Mr Livinus Acquah-Jackson Executive Director, New Seed International has hinted that Caregivers of persons suffering from the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are being shunned.**** ** ** He gave the hint at a workshop organized in Ho by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), for Directors of NGOs in HIV/AIDS and Paralegals.**** ** ** New Seed International based at Sokode near Ho, provides care for persons with HIV/AIDS and takes custody of orphans whose parents have died from the disease.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson said once people got to know that you were into HIV/AIDS work they would not want to be associated with you lest they be suspected of being HIV positive.**** ** ** Recounting his experience, Mr Acquah-Jackson said anytime he entered a house, people would want to know whether there was somebody with the disease in that house.**** ** ** He said as a result people were reluctant to admit him in their homes.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson said the situation could undermine the delivery of care to those with the virus as they would be reluctant to own up to their status.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson therefore called for the intensification of HIV/AIDS education which he observed had gone down considerably.**** ** ** He said it would be dangerous for the country to lower the intensity of the campaign against the disease because of the country?s reported low prevalence rate.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson observed that seeds of HIV, which had been sown at the peak of the disease in the country, could be maturing and more people could also be contracting the virus.**** ** ** He said the social lives of people providing care to HIV/AIDS victims were also at risk of breaking down.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** Gov't support for HIV/AIDS fight needed **** ****VietNam**** News**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** HA NOI ? Social organisations do not receive sufficient support from the Government, especially in terms of finance, in the battle against HIV/AIDS, according to experts and activists in the field. **** ** ** Nguyen Van Tien, deputy head of the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs said the limitation of the Government's budget did not allow it to support civil social organisations in HIV/AIDS response. **** ** ** Social organisations, therefore, were much more dependent upon the aid and assistance of foreign organisations to organise their activities and events, he said.**** ** ** According to Vu Thi Phuong Lan, head of management at Sunflower Network, a community-based organisation of 13 self-help groups operating in seven cities and provinces to support HIV-positive women and their families, the network receives financial support from a sole sponsor - the Netherlands-Vietnam Medical Committee, an international non-governmental organisation. **** ** ** Lan said health centres and red cross associations at the local level also helped by offering management advice as well as spaces to organise events, "but the main support the network receives is from the international organisation", she added.**** ** ** The network now faces an uncertain future as the medical committee will withdraw its assistance in the next six months, leaving the network without any sponsor for its continued activities. **** ** ** "We have asked other foreign organisations for financial support but failed," said Lan.**** ** ** "At present, the management plan is to offer support services and collect fees to keep the network running, but the plan has yet to be made clear," she revealed.**** ** ** The problem facing the Sunflower network became more common after Viet Nam officially was classified as a middle-income country, according to experts.* *** ** ** Tien said social organisations might become less active due to the decrease in funding. **** ** ** The lack of financial support, however, is not the only obstacle for organisations delivering HIV prevention service and care. **** ** ** Tran Tien Duc, former head of the health policy initiatives project under the United States Agency for International Development, said limited governance capacity, stability and accountability were common weaknesses that the organisations must overcome. **** ** ** "Many community-based organisations lack sufficient organisational capacity and a strategic vision," added Tien.**** ** ** He also said that there had not been a strategy or orientation plan made for the sustainable development of organisations. **** ** ** Venerable Thich Dong Nguyen, deputy head of the Anti-HIV society under the Buddhism Academy, said religious involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention needed greater consistency and direction. **** ** ** "There should be a co-ordinator who engages the religious society in HIV-AIDS activities."**** ** ** Nguyen's opinion mirrored Tien's position. He said there must be a mechanism to control and co-ordinate the resources of civil organisations for HIV/AIDS response. **** ** ** Tien said the Government's management over HIV/AIDS activities was not good enough and State-governed agencies were still hesitant to offer support to community-based organisations. **** ** ** "Only those whose activities were funded by the Viet Nam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control were really under the Government's management." **** ** ** Tien said there needed to be better co-operation between the Government and the civil society to ensure more effective HIV prevention. **** ** ** Both Tien and Duc said there was a lack of a clear and consistent legal framework to encourage the establishment and operation of civil organisations, as the law for them had yet to be issued and requirements for their registration were still complicated.**** **** Tien added that the Government should enact policies to support social organisations' activities, especially those in HIV/AIDS response, as the civil society played a key role in delivering care and support to people with HIV.**** ** ** "Community-based organisations have helped the Government a lot by taking the initiatives to deal with many issues which the Government itself has failed to resolve because of its overwhelming workload". ? VNS**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Violent prejudice against ****Jamaica****'s gay people must stop**** The Guardian, ****UK******** 27/01/2012**** ** ** Maurice Tomlinson**** ** ** Almost a year to the day that David Kato, the Ugandan human rights activist, was murdered in his home because of his sexuality, I am flying from Toronto to London to accept the inaugural the David Kato Voice and Vision Award, which recognises individuals who uphold the human rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people around the world. I should have been flying from Jamaica my country of birth and, until very recently, my home. After the ceremony I should be returning there to celebrate with fellow activists.**** ** ** But this time there's no going home. In August last year I married Tom, a former police officer and a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. Media reports of my marriage, in Jamaica, have led to an increase in the threats against my life and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has written to the Jamaican government for the second time in a year inquiring what measures it will take to guarantee my safety. So far, the government has failed to respond.**** ** ** Threats are nothing new for me. It's only the intensity that's changed. I'm a lawyer and activist in Jamaica, which has the distinction of being regarded as one of the most violently homophobic countries in the world. In a recent survey 82% of Jamaican people said they were prejudiced against gay people. Vigilante attacks against gay men are common ? at least 35 people have been murdered because of their sexuality since 1997. Last year, two men were hacked to death because they were gay. The latest victim was a 16-year-old youth chopped to death in his home by early morning invaders because of his "questionable relations" with another man.**** ** ** Former prime minister Bruce Golding set a tone of impunity for those prepared to use violence against gay people in Jamaica: during a BBC Hardtalk interview in 2008 he said that he would not allow gay people to be a part of his cabinet. According to the law, consensual sex between two men in Jamaica will get you 10 years of imprisonment and hard labour. Any "act of gross indecency" ? kissing for instance ? will get you two years.**** ** ** The law is rarely enforced. More often, police use it for extortion. But the fact such a law exists inflames the vigilante groups. Even the police officer who recorded my first death-threat report ranted at me that he "hates gays, who deserve to die". In the past year, I have received three death threats for speaking out against the country's ferocious homophobia.** ** ** ** The threats to my life are a personal tragedy, but sadly not an uncommon one. Discrimination, stigma and abuse are the daily reality for millions of gay people. And now the battle has become entangled with the politics of aid.**** ** ** Recently the Commonwealth faced up to its human rights record ? particularly the criminalisation of homosexuality. David Cameron made it clear that states refusing to decriminalise homosexuality risk losing British aid. Ironically, however, he failed to acknowledge or apologise for Britain's role in imposing the anti-sodomy law on its former colonies, while his emphasis on homosexuality is inadvertently discriminatory as it ignores other egregious human rights violations being perpetuated in these countries.**** ** ** His intentions might have been well meaning but they are also counterproductive: trying to force people to change their attitudes and cultural beliefs can play into the hands of repressive regimes ? by portraying sexual rights as an imposition of "western colonialism". It allows them to mask broader issues of human rights, governance and corruption. Some countries use the issues of homosexuality to hide their own failures and show how donor communities are promulgating "gay lifestyles".**** ** ** Instead, aid should be linked to good governance. Countries need to meet their wider human rights obligation by observing the indivisibility of rights. As Hillary Clinton said at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva: "Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct, but in fact they are one and the same." (The US, however, has not done enough to curtail its own export of homophobia to countries such as mine by American evangelical Christian groups.)**** ** ** For two years, I have collected the reports of victims as a legal adviser for international advocacy organisation Aids-Free World. Now I'm taking them to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, since the Jamaican Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms protects the laws against "sexual offences" from constitutional review.**** ** ** The culmination of the work the charity and our Jamaican partners have been doing over the past two years is an unprecedented legal challenge to the Jamaican anti-sodomy law. If successful, it could be the beginning of the end of the criminalisation of homosexuals in Jamaica, and undoubtedly have a knock-on effect throughout the Caribbean. However, the Jamaican government could make the commission petition redundant by simply repealing the anti-sodomy law.**** ** ** The new Jamaican prime minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, has indicated that she would have no objections to selecting a gay person for her cabinet. She also promised to call for a parliamentary conscience vote on the law. Let's hope she does so soon.**** ** ** The reports of violence against Jamaican LGBTI remind me what we're fighting for. When I receive the David Kato award I will represent the millions of individuals worldwide whose lives are a daily struggle against hostility and persecution simply because of their sexuality.**** ** ** *2* East Africans warn funding cuts will increase AIDS deaths**** Reuters AlertNet**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Katy Migiro **** ** ** NAIROBI (AlertNet) ? Hundreds of HIV-positive Kenyans protested outside the European Union?s Nairobi office on Monday, accusing the EU of causing unnecessary deaths by cutting funding to the world?s largest financial backer of the fight against HIV/AIDS.**** ** ** The public-private Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said in November it had run out of money to pay for the next two years for new grants for countries battling these diseases. The demonstrators called on the Global Fund to hold an emergency donor conference to raise $2 billion so developing countries can apply for grants this year.**** ** ** ?We are just burying a grenade that is going to explode in future,? said Peter Mugyenyi, a scientist involved in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in neighbouring Uganda, who travelled to Kenya to take part in the demonstration.**** ** ** ?If we don?t increase funding now, we already know that the transmission of HIV is going to increase.?**** ** ** Demonstrators warned that people will stop going for HIV-testing and stigma will increase if it becomes harder for people to access free antiretroviral drugs.**** ** ** ?How many people will go for HIV-testing when drugs are not available? You?d rather not know and leave it like that,? said Paul Ndegwa, one of the demonstrators, who has been living with the disease for 18 years.**** ** ** The Global Fund pays for about 40 percent of Kenya?s antiretroviral drugs, according to Nelson Otwoma, national coordinator of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya.**** ** ** Just over half of Kenyans needing treatment are currently receiving it ? some 400,000 people, he said.**** ** ** The Global Fund accounts for around a quarter of international financing to fight HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** TREATMENT AS PREVENTION**** Funding is being withdrawn at a critical time in the battle against HIV/AIDS, activists said.**** ** ** ?The concept now is treatment as prevention,? said Ndegwa.**** ** ** Recent scientific studies have shown that getting timely drug treatment to people living with HIV can significantly cut the number of new infections.** ** ** ** A person put on treatment earlier is 96 percent less likely to transmit the virus, and a dramatic increase in the number of people receiving treatment has cut mortality rates.**** ** ** In sub-Saharan Africa, treatment coverage increased by 30 percent in 2010, according to the medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres.**** ** ** MISUSE OF FUNDS**** An ongoing economic crisis hitting big donor countries has hit funding. But so has the fact that the credibility of the Global Fund has came into question**** ** ** Last year, the fund reported "grave misuse of funds" in four recipient nations, prompting donors such as Germany and Sweden to freeze their donations.**** ** ** And earlier this month its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, stepped down early following criticism over misuse of funds.**** ** ** However, campaigners said stepping up investment in the Global Fund now is important to save both lives and money in the long term.**** ** ** ?We want action now so that we don?t come to the stage where people are dying at the rate of (the) 1990s,? said Mugyenyi.**** ** ** *3* Helping HIV Patients in ****Lebanon******** Reuters AlertNet**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** It was a stormy January day, but ?M? had to pick up her kids early from school in order to make it on time for her appointment in Sin El Fil on time. The 45 year old mother of three is one of an estimated 3,600 persons living with HIV in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Public Health.**** ** ** Lebanon is considered one of the lower ranked countries when it comes to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. But, that does not diminish the challenges facing people living with HIV.**** ** ** ?I felt like I was going through hell,? M declares, as she recounts her experience with HIV/AIDS, including all the difficulty and suffering she endured before being correctly diagnosed. ?I suffered terribly for many months, all the while being unable to take care of myself and my children.?* *** ** ** When she finally knew she was HIV positive, her world ?turned upside down.? Even more, she was unable to share the news with anyone around her ?for fear of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS?. In fact, such stigma takes multiple severe forms in Lebanon, including social isolation, economic exclusion, and total abandonment. ?Only through the medical, social and human support of SIDC have I been able to stand on my two feet and resume leading a ?normal? life,? she declares.**** ** ** SIDC ? Soins Infirmiers et Developpement Communautaire ? is situated in a quiet neighborhood in Sin El Fil, East of Beirut. It was founded in 1987 with the mission of meeting ?the health needs of the youth, elderly and the most vulnerable individuals and groups in Lebanon through community empowerment?. Nadia Badran, Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS Program at SIDC, explains that the organization struggles to ?provide the much-needed support to persons living with HIV through various services, which include medication, psychological support, nutrition counseling, social guidance, home visits and peer education.?**** ** ** One of the major challenges that face persons living with HIV in Lebanon is access to healthcare and social services. Often organizations like SIDC provide these services, but operate on a very limited budget. That?s where ANERA has been able to help. Through its partnership with YMCA-Lebanon, ANERA recently delivered a much-needed donation of the anti-retroviral medicine Didanosine. . The 3,160 packages of Didanosine valued over $180,000 were kindly donated by AmeriCares Foundation. This is the third year in a row that ANERA has delivered life-saving anti-retroviral medicines donated by AmeriCares to SIDC, which have included Abacavir, Lamivudine, Nevirapine, Zidovudine, and Saquinavir.**** ** ** Nadia Badran adds, ?PLHIV has witnessed periods of medicine shortage in the past; having enough stock of medicines ensures medical and emotional stability for PLHIV?. ?But, it is our responsibility to make sure our beneficiaries know how to use their medicines and how to take care of themselves while using them.? **** ** ** ?We are happy to be able to contribute to alleviating the sufferings of people living with HIV/Aids in Lebanon,? adds Dima Zayat, ANERA?s medical in-kind program coordinator, ?We believe that people living with HIV have the right to work, family and access to health care.?**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** M?xico frente al VIH: un panorama adverso para 2012 **** ****El Universal**, **Mexico******** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Daniel Joloy **** *Director del ?rea Internacional de la CMDPDH. * ** ** El 2012 ha iniciado con noticias negativas en materia de VIH y derechos humanos que plantean a M?xico un panorama adverso para el futuro cercano. En d?as recientes, la CNDH report? un incremento en las violaciones a derechos humanos en contra de personas que viven con el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana-S?ndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (VIH-SIDA), as? como un mayor estigma y discriminaci?n en su contra. Por otro lado, a lo largo de 2011, fueron denunciados continuos desabastos de medicamentos antirretrovirales para su atenci?n y tratamiento, lo que demuestra que, contrario a lo que ha argumentado el Gobierno Federal, el acceso universal para este tipo de medicamentos a?n no est? garantizado. Aunado a todo ello, a partir de este a?o M?xico dejar? de recibir recursos del Fondo Mundial de la Lucha contra el SIDA, la malaria y la tuberculosis. **** ** ** Hoy en d?a viven en nuestro pa?s aproximadamente 225 mil personas portadoras del VIH, de quienes se estima que 80% son hombres. Seg?n estudios de la Secretar?a de Salud, cerca del 60% de quienes son portadores del VIH lo desconocen, y ?nicamente el 27% de los pacientes reciben tratamiento antirretroviral. **** ** ** Sin embargo, a pesar de que el total de casos acumulados en M?xico de personas que viven con VIH contin?a aumentando, a?n no est? garantizado el abasto permanente de medicamentos antirretrovirales para su tratamiento. Si bien en los ?ltimos cuatro a?os se duplic? el presupuesto destinado a la compra de medicinas para controlar el VIH, el acceso a un tratamiento adecuado no est? garantizado, seg?n las propias declaraciones del Centro Nacional para la Prevenci?n y Control del SIDA (Censida). **** ** ** La cancelaci?n de la Ronda 11 del Fondo Mundial y la disminuci?n de los recursos financieros internacionales para solventar programas de prevenci?n y atenci?n del VIH exigen de nuestras autoridades la elaboraci?n de una nueva estrategia que permita contar con los recursos adecuados para garantizar, por un lado, la atenci?n adecuada a todas las personas que viven con VIH-SIDA en M?xico, y por el otro, contar con programas efectivos de prevenci?n del VIH. **** ** ** Es fundamental para ello hacer un an?lisis de fondo sobre las estrategias de prevenci?n y control del VIH las cuales se han centrado hist?ricamente en grupos particulares, o ?poblaciones en riesgo?, tales como los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), trabajadores y trabajadoras sexuales (TS) y usuarias y usuarios de drogas inyectables (UDI). Sin embargo, ante las adversidades que se prev?n en el panorama, resulta urgente generar pol?ticas p?blicas sectorizadas por grupo poblacional que vayan m?s all? de las generalidades grupales dirigidas a cambiar patrones de conducta. **** ** ** Es particularmente necesario desarrollar pol?ticas p?blicas de prevenci?n que genuinamente incorporen una perspectiva de derechos humanos y un enfoque de g?nero para fomentar un cambio en los patrones de conducta y evitar as? conductas riesgosas que faciliten la transmisi?n del VIH. Se requiere transitar de un enfoque de ?poblaciones en riesgo? hacia un enfoque preventivo que evite las ?pr?cticas de riesgo?. **** ** ** Para ello, resulta fundamental analizar a profundidad los efectos reales de los programas y pol?ticas p?blicas implementadas hasta la fecha para evitar futuras transmisiones del VIH. Si bien las estrategias de atenci?n al VIH-SIDA han estado en cierto modo focalizadas a grupos particulares que por sus conductas regulares presentan una mayor vulnerabilidad de contagio, a?n es necesario entender y analizar dichos programas seg?n las pr?cticas de riesgo en las que incurren, m?s all? de su propia pertenencia a dicho sector poblacional. **** ** ** Para alcanzar dicho objetivo se requieren pol?ticas de prevenci?n libres de estereotipos y que tomen en cuenta la diversidad sexual, ponderando ante todo el respeto por los derechos humanos y la perspectiva de g?nero, factores fundamentales para la correcta elaboraci?n de una pol?tica p?blica que pueda ser realmente efectiva en la prevenci?n de lo que ha sido por los ?ltimos a?os el mayor problema de salud p?blica a nivel mundial. **** ** ** El Estado mexicano tiene la obligaci?n de implementar pol?ticas p?blicas progresivas que garanticen el tratamiento y cuidado de la salud de todas las personas que viven con VIH-SIDA, la cual debe de incluir pol?ticas de prevenci?n, atenci?n, tratamiento y control de la infecci?n para garantizar la m?s alta calidad de vida de las y los usuarios del sector salud. El desabasto en medicamentos b?sicos para la atenci?n y tratamiento del VIH, as? como el aumento de violaciones a derechos humanos relacionadas con el estigma y la discriminaci?n, pone de manifiesto el incumplimiento de nuestras autoridades en materia de acceso a la salud y VIH. **** ** ** *2**4***** Cuba: una eficaz estrategia en la lucha contra el SIDA. **** Radio ****Habana**, **Cuba******** 26/01/2012**** ** ** Por Mar?a Josefina Arce.**** ** ** El Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo apoya la lucha contra el SIDA en 17 pa?ses, entre ellos Cuba, que se ubica entre los de mejores resultados en el enfrentamiento a esa enfermedad que desde su aparici?n en el siglo pasado no ha dejado de hacer estragos entre la poblaci?n mundial.** ** ** ** M?s de treinta millones de personas han muerto en el planeta desde que hace tres d?cadas se conoci? el primer caso. Actualmente millones de personas viven con la enfermedad.**** ** ** Basada fundamentalmente en la prevenci?n, promoci?n y educaci?n sexual la estrategia de la Mayor de las Antillas ha posibilitado que califique entre las naciones de Latinoam?rica con m?s bajo ?ndice de infestados con el virus.**** ** ** Carlos Cort?s Falla, asesor principal en Cuba del Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo, reconoci? en La Habana la eficacia de la prevenci?n del VIH SIDA en el archipi?lago cubano, por lo que la instituci?n que representa decidi? extender hasta el 2014 su financiamiento a las estrategias de respuesta al VIH-Sida en el pa?s.**** ** ** Representantes de esa entidad y del Fondo Global han destacado el buen uso que hace Cuba de los recursos que recibe, los cuales destina al tratamiento de los infestados, quienes reciben de manera gratuita y sistem?tica los costos?simos medicamentos antirretrovirales, en cualquiera de las 320 unidades m?dicas que ofrecen este servicio a la largo del pa?s.**** ** ** Tambi?n los fondos que se reciben se destinan a evitar la propagaci?n de la pandemia. En ese camino tienen gran importancia el desarrollo en Cuba de sistem?ticas campa?as informativas y de orientaci?n, en las que participan organizaciones de masas y diversas instituciones. Gracias a este esfuerzo se ha logrado romper muchos tab?es imperantes en la sociedad cubana, y que a la larga, pod?an aumentar el riesgo de un contagio.**** ** ** Fundamentales han sido los promotores voluntarios, que sin recibir remuneraci?n, motivados ya sea por solidaridad o por experiencias personales o de amigos y familiares, dedican parte de su tiempo a distintos proyectos encaminados a prevenir y evitar la propagaci?n del SIDA.**** ** ** Tambi?n ha sido esencial el servicio especializado que funciona en cada una de las provincias del pa?s, las llamadas Consejer?as An?nimas, que adem?s de brindar informaci?n especializada, ofrece ayuda psicol?gica, emocional, y, en caso de ser necesario, agiliza la aplicaci?n de la prueba r?pida de detecci?n del virus.**** ** ** Todav?a queda mucho por hacer, pues aunque gracias al accionar del pa?s, las v?as de transmisi?n sangu?nea y materno-infantil, han sido eliminadas como problemas de salud, todav?a se mantiene el eventual contagio por la sexual. De ah? que las autoridades no descuiden la labor preventiva y de educaci?n para motivar acciones responsables, fundamentalmente entre los m?s j?venes.**** ** ** En la lucha contra el sida es v?lido tambi?n el consejo de Jos? Mart? en el sentido de que "la mejor medicina no es la que cura, sino la que precave".** ** ** ** *5* ****Guyana**** health ministry to focus on STIs overshadowed by HIV**** ****Stabroek News**, **Guyana******** 28/01/2012**** ** ** By Stabroek staff**** ** ** Guyana?s first comprehensive Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Strategic Plan is now a reality and the Ministry of Health is developing a two-year work schedule that will focus on the priority areas.**** ** ** The plan, which will place more focus on diseases that have been overshadowed by HIV, was in the making since last year and is now set to be implemented by 2020. It is expected to assist health officials in addressing STIs in the same way HIV has been addressed.**** ** ** On Friday 27 January, the ministry held a workshop at the Grand Coastal Inn, by the end of which key stakeholders would have assisted in identifying the priority area to focus on first.**** ** ** According to Head of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) Dr Shanti Singh, HIV is just one of many STIs, which are significant and have life-threatening consequences.**** ** ** It is what stakeholders learnt from the HIV programme that triggered the STI strategic plan. Singh said the plan, along with its monitoring and evaluation, will be the road map to organizing a response to the other STIs, similar to the HIV response.**** ** ** ?So it?s really bringing all the other sexually transmitted infections that traditionally a lot of persons would go over the counter and just buy a red and black capsule [for treatment]; it is really bringing the focus on some of those things that needs to be streamlined,? she added.**** ** ** Dr Singh said the streamlining would include looking at how the STIs are managed and also how they progress; contact tracing; and partner notification.**** ** ** The plan also will bring together all of the ministry?s efforts in the area and coordinate one standard of care across the health sector and the ministry will seek to work closely with the private sector and the non-governmental organisations.**** ** ** The strategy has identified five priority areas: the strengthening of STI programme management and coordination; promoting healthy sexual behaviours to reduce the transmission of STIs; expanding access to STI prevention, care and treatment in the health sector; increasing access to medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and laboratory support; and improving the availability of strategic information.**** ** ** At a workshop last year, which had looked at the draft of the plan, it was stated that it was in recognition of the serious health, social, emotional and economic consequences of STIs that a strategic plan was developed by the Ministry of Health. The ministry, through NAPS, is committed to providing national leadership in collaboration with local, regional, national and international partners to develop the plan to manage and prevent STIs in Guyana.**** ** ** The main goal is to ?reduce the transmission and morbidity and mortality caused by STIs and to minimise the personal and social impact of the infections.?**** ** ** A 2004 study had found that awareness of STIs among the most at-risk populations was generally high, with rates of ?self-reported leak and genital sores/boils? noted among female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM) and in school youth, with the lowest rates seen for the military and police. However, according to the draft plan, there was no baseline information on STI knowledge and behaviour in the general population and very limited data is available on the prevalence of specific STIs in either the general population or in higher risk groups, such as female sex workers and MSM.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** AIDS Prevention Inspires Ways to Make Circumcisions Easier**** The New York Times**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.**** ** ** The day of the assembly-line circumcision is drawing closer. **** ** ** Now that three studies have shown that circumcising adult heterosexual men is one of the most effective ?vaccines? against AIDS ? reducing the chances of infection by 60 percent or more ? public health experts are struggling to find ways to make the process faster, cheaper and safer. **** ** ** The goal is to circumcise 20 million African men by 2015, but only about 600,000 have had the operation thus far. Even a skilled surgeon takes about 15 minutes, most African countries are desperately short of surgeons, and there is no Mohels Without Borders. **** ** ** So donors are pinning their hopes on several devices now being tested to speed things up. **** ** ** Dr. Stefano Bertozzi, director of H.I.V. for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said it had its eyes on two, named PrePex and the Shang Ring, and was supporting efforts by the World Health Organization to evaluate them. **** ** ** Circumcision is believe to protect heterosexual men because the foreskin has many Langerhans cells, which pick up viruses and ?present? them to the immune system ? which H.I.V. attacks. **** ** ** PrePex, invented in 2009 by four Israelis after one of them, a urologist, heard an appeal for doctors to do circumcisions in Africa, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration three weeks ago. The W.H.O. will make a decision on it soon, said Mitchell Warren, an AIDS-prevention expert who closely follows the process. **** ** ** >From the initial safety studies done so far, PrePex is clearly faster, less painful and more bloodless than any of its current rivals. And it relies on the simplest and least-threatening technology ? a rubber band. **** ** ** The band compresses the foreskin against a plastic ring slipped inside it; the foreskin dies within hours for lack of blood and, after a week, falls off or can be clipped off ?like a fingernail,? said Tzameret Fuerst, the company?s chief executive officer, who compared the process to the stump of an umbilical cord?s shriveling up and dropping off a few days after it is clamped. **** ** ** It is done with topical anesthetic cream, and there is usually no bleeding. And PrePex can be put in place and removed by nurses with about three days? training. **** ** ** The rings come in five sizes, A through E, Ms. Fuerst said, ?and you won?t believe how high-tech the rubber band is.? Each size must apply just enough pressure to cut off blood flow without being tight enough to cause pain. *** * ** ** The W.H.O., Mr. Warren said, is also evaluating the Shang Ring, a plastic two-ring clamp developed in China to treat conditions in which the foreskin becomes so tight that it cuts off urination. **** ** ** However, it requires cutting off the excess foreskin beyond the clamp, which means the circumciser must inject anesthetics directly into the penis and groin, wait for them to take effect, create a sterile surgical field and be trained in minor surgery. **** ** ** ?The Shang is not as fast, but it?s faster than full-fledged surgery,? Mr. Warren said. ?And it hasn?t submitted as much safety data.? **** ** ** In a safety study presented at an AIDS conference last month, scientists from Rwanda?s health ministry said they had used PrePex to circumcise 590 men. Only two had ?moderate? complications; one was fixed with a single suture, and one required a new band in a different spot. **** ** ** According to Dr. Jason Reed, an epidemiologist in the global AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 of 590, or 0.34 percent, is a tenth the typical complication rate of surgical circumcision. **** ** ** None of the men became infected. **** ** ** On the 10-point pain scale, they reported on average only about 1 when the ring was placed and only 3 when it was removed (about the same level of pain caused by erections during the week they wore it). **** ** ** By the end of the study, the two-nurse teams could do a procedure in three minutes. **** ** ** By contrast, Dr. Reed said, the best surgical ?assembly lines? ? a practice being pioneered in Africa with American taxpayer support ? can get down to seven minutes per patient, but only by getting six nurses and a surgeon into a tight harmony?.*continued.* See Full Text: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/health/aids-prevention-inspires-ways-to-simplify-circumcision.html?pagewanted=1&sq=aids&st=cse&scp=3 **** ** ** *2* New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect**** The New York Times**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By Yasmeen Khan**** ** ** Truth or myth?**** ** ** Girls can?t get pregnant the first time they have sex. (Myth.) **** ** ** Using a latex condom correctly every time you have sexual intercourse is very effective in preventing H.I.V. (Truth.)**** ** ** Now that New York City has mandated lessons on sexual health, starting this semester students in health classes may go through similar exercises in truths vs. myths when talking about preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. During a unit on abstinence, they may role-play a situation where a student resists pressure to have sex. Or they may read about developing healthy relationships and raising self-esteem. *** * ** ** Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott announced in August that public middle schools and high schools would be required to fold sex education lessons into existing health classes, which already cover topics like nutrition, physical activity and preventing injuries. **** ** ** New York State requires that students receive at least a semester of health education in either sixth or seventh grade and again in either ninth or 10th grade. But those health classes didn?t have to include sex education. * *** ** ** Some districts took extra steps, and many schools voluntarily added sexual health to their curriculums, including here in New York City. But not all of them. That led to concerns by advocates of sex education, including Planned Parenthood, that the city lacked a consistent approach.**** ** ** The new sex education mandate takes effect this spring term, which begins on Tuesday for high school students. **** ** ** Q.What will be taught?**** A.The city?s Department of Education does not mandate that schools use a certain curriculum, but it does recommend one: HealthSmart for middle school students. For high school students, it recommends HealthSmart alongside a book called ?Reducing the Risk.? **** ** ** The Education Department tailored the national versions for New York City, so that the materials would not overlap with existing lessons on H.I.V. New York State already requires that all schools provide education on H.I.V./AIDS for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.**** ** ** City education officials offer guidelines on what should be covered as part of sexual health education. **** ** ** Depending on the child?s grade, topics would include physiology and understanding the male and female reproductive systems; recognizing healthy and unhealthy relationships; sexuality and sexual identity; handling unwanted sexual advances; the benefits of abstinence; birth control methods; and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. **** ** ** For instance, in a lesson on abstinence in HealthSmart, one worksheet asks students to write a letter to a sixth-grade student explaining why he or she should wait to have sex. In the curriculum?s unit on sexuality, the teacher?s manual asks that teachers welcome questions and ?demonstrate openness and acceptance? with words, tone and facial expressions. **** ** ** Teachers may verbalize how to use condoms correctly. Condom demonstrations are only allowed in health resource rooms in high schools.**** ** ** Lessons are meant to be co-ed.**** ** ** Q.What parts of the curriculum can (or cannot) parents opt out of? **** A.Some parent groups have criticized the city?s new policy, saying it is too graphic or that they would prefer abstinence-only lessons. Parents who object to lessons on birth control and preventing S.T.D.?s can write a letter to their child?s principal to opt out of some classes. The letter must stipulate that students will receive that instruction at home.**** ** ** Parents cannot opt out of lessons on abstinence or sexual health education.* *** ** ** Education officials say it is up to schools to communicate with parents about what is being taught and when. Principals must send a notification letter about the new sex education mandate home.**** ** ** Q.Who will teach these classes?**** A.In middle and high schools, health classes must be taught by a licensed health teacher. Education officials say the department?s Office of School Wellness Programs is providing free training on the recommended sex education curriculum to teachers and administrators. **** *3* Ten Years of The Global Fund: a Crossroads and a Choice**** Huffington Post**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Nancy Mahon and Kevin Robert Frost**** ** ** Ten years ago, 19,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa were the first to receive free HIV treatment. That was 0.1% of all the people living with HIV in the region that year. Paying for these drugs was a bold move by the Botswana government -- one that said to the world, "We're not going to wait for you to help us" -- but it wasn't nearly enough to begin to end the epidemic. **** ** ** Thankfully, the people of Botswana didn't have to go it alone. Days after their government announced that it would begin paying for treatment, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created. Now, a decade later, more than 5 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa (almost 7 million worldwide) are receiving life-saving treatment thanks to the Global Fund and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). **** ** ** It's easy to take this accomplishment for granted, but treatment everywhere in the world has been the result of an unprecedented collaboration between advocates, healthcare workers, and governments alike. Thanks to private individuals, celebrities, corporations, and other donors, organizations including our own and the Global Fund have been able to discover more effective HIV technologies, reduce the price of drugs, and deliver treatment and care to those in need. From the Caribbean to Asia, millions of lives have been saved by the generosity of people everywhere in the world. **** ** ** Since 2002, the Global Fund has distributed more than $22 billion in grants to 150 countries. As a result, 3.3 million people have received HIV treatment and more than 1 million pregnant women have received the drugs they needed to prevent HIV infection in their babies. These results aren't exclusive to HIV, though: More than 230 million people have received treatment for malaria and 7.7 million for tuberculosis over the last decade. **** ** ** Ten years of hard work. Millions of lives saved. This should be a moment to celebrate. Unfortunately, the fight begins again. **** ** ** Economic uncertainty and donor skittishness have combined to threaten the future of the Global Fund. For the first time since 2002, the Fund has had to cancel any new grant making due to a lack of resources. While millions will continue to receive the benefit of current programs, progress will stagnate. On top of this, news of a transition in leadership at the Global Fund has created anxiety where none is required. **** ** ** This couldn't come at a worse time. Recent science has shown us that we have the power to end the AIDS epidemic. Last May, researchers discovered that early initiation of HIV treatment can reduce the chance that a partner will become infected with HIV by 96%. Scientific knowledge of HIV and its vulnerabilities has advanced to the point where we can not only save lives, but we can begin to end the disease all together. To do so, we must expand treatment now, everywhere to everyone. Ending the AIDS epidemic is no longer a hopeful metaphor -- it is a choice. Do we begin to end this disease now, or do we blithely pass it on to future generations?**** ** ** The Obama Administration has made its decision, calling for an "AIDS-Free Generation" on World AIDS Day 2011 and recommitting to the Global Fund and PEPFAR as equally important partners. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Saudi Arabian Government have as well; each recently announced additional resources for the Global Fund to ensure it can continue doing its work. **** ** ** Last week the world marked the 10th anniversary of the Global Fund. We must use the momentum from this moment to make the choice starkly clear. As a global community, we can act on our new knowledge and make the relatively modest investments in the Global Fund that could genuinely herald the end of the global AIDS epidemic. Or we can back away from our commitments and starve this extraordinary collaborative enterprise of the resources it needs to succeed, thereby depriving millions of men, women, and children of life-saving programs. It is really that simple.**** ** ** We ask you, in recognition of the 10th anniversary, wherever you are in the world, to add your voice in support of the Global Fund. Urge your legislators to renew their support for the Global Fund. Tell everyone in your neighborhood or apartment, village or town, on Facebook and Twitter: I support the Global Fund. Remind them that the failure of the Global Fund will be a collective failure of humanity to bring an end to a global epidemic that has already killed 30 million people worldwide.**** ** ** *About amfAR* *amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide. * * * *About M?A?C AIDS Fund* *The M?A?C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M?A?C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. The M?A?C AIDS Fund is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, the M?A?C AIDS Fund is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, The M?A?C AIDS Fund has raised $235 million (USD) exclusively through the sale of M?A?C's VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information visit http://www.macaidsfund.org.** *** *4* Design chosen for NYC AIDS memorial park **** Associated Press**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** *Story carried by The Wall Street Journal* ** ** NEW YORK ? A design called "Infinite Forest" is being proposed for an AIDS memorial park in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.**** ** ** The design by a team of architects at Studio a+i features groves of trees and mirrored glass surfaces.**** ** ** It won a competition held by a group campaigning to place a memorial in a triangle across from the former St. Vincent's Hospital.**** ** ** The Rudin Management Company, which bought the land after the hospital's bankruptcy, has already received partial city approval to place a park in the space. If the plans are changed substantially, that approval process would have to begin again.**** ** ** Bill Rudin says the park design on track for approval allows for a commemoration of those impacted by AIDS. He says his company will continue working "with all stakeholders?**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* ** ** ========================**** ** ** UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation **** UNAIDS**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to anchor ** Africa**?s development to the respect for human rights. ?The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a promise to all people in all places at all times,? said Mr Ban at the 18th annual meeting of the African Union.**** ** ** Mr Ban noted that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is one of the injustices that has been ignored or even sanctioned by many States. ?This has prompted some governments to treat people as second-class citizens, or even criminals. Confronting this discrimination is a challenge. But we must live up to the ideals of the Universal Declaration,? said Mr Ban.**** ** ** Currently, an estimated 76 countries and areas worldwide have laws that criminalize same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults??five impose the death penalty. UNAIDS considers the criminalization of people based on their sexual orientation a denial of human rights and a threat to public health in the context of the HIV response. Such discriminatory laws drive people underground and create obstacles for people accessing HIV services.**** ** ** Countries such as the **US** and ****UK**** have already modified their provision of foreign aid to ensure that the rights of sexual minorities are being respected. These countries will use their assistance to protect human rights and advance non-discrimination, and will work with international organizations to end discrimination against gays and lesbians.**** ** ** In 2009 the Delhi High Court overturned a law that criminalized consensual adult sexual behaviour. This stand was also supported by the Government of India in its affidavit filed with the Supreme Court. But not all countries are following ****India****?s approach.**** ** ** In June 2010, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support of the UNAIDS Secretariat, launched the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. The Commission?s aim is to increase understanding of the impact of the legal environment on national HIV responses. Its aim is to focus on how laws and law enforcement can support, rather than block, effective HIV responses.**** ** ** UNAIDS urges all governments to ensure full respect for the human rights of men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgendered people through repealing laws that prohibit sexual acts between consenting adults in private; enforcing laws to protect these groups from violence and discrimination; promoting campaigns that address homophobia and transphobia; and ensuring that crucial health needs are met.**** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/5bb5ae85/attachment-0002.html From vern.weitzel at gmail.com Wed Feb 1 17:29:13 2012 From: vern.weitzel at gmail.com (vern weitzel) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 04:29:13 +1100 Subject: [hivaids-twg] TANZANIA: Good results in programme to boost TB detection In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 02/02/2012, at 3:29 AM, Phi Huynhdo wrote: TANZANIA: Good results in programme to boost TB detection Photo: David Gough/IRIN Better TB case detection would improve the country's treatment and prevention programmes (file photo) ARUSHA, 1 February 2012 (IRIN PlusNews) - A pilot community programme to improve TB detection in northern Tanzania has shown good results and could be replicated nationwide as the country seeks to improve its TB treatment and prevention systems. Tanzania has been battling TB for years, a struggle intensified by the parallel HIV epidemic; approximately 47 percent of new adult cases in the country are HIV-positive. Without proper treatment, about nine in 10 people living with HIV who become ill with active TB will die within two to three months, according to UNAIDS. The programme, which ran from April to September 2011, systemized the way suspected TB cases were reported and handled. It encouraged healthcare professionals to work closely with community leaders to raise awareness of symptoms at every opportunity, such as at village meetings. It also used posters and slogans to make sure high-risk groups were aware of symptoms. This produced more patient referrals to health centres for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Another crucial part of the TB pilot project was the creation of a "cough register" in each area, recording who was referred to a healthcare professional for further testing, by whom and the results of that referral. Management Science for Health collaborated with the NGO, PATH, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, at 12 health facilities in northern Tanzania's Arusha and Meru district councils. A crucial tenet of the programme was emphasising that TB and HIV treatment must be done "hand in hand". *Results* "In both districts the standard operating procedure intervention has improved TB case notification in children and women," said Zahra Mkome, director, TB/HIV projects at PATH in Tanzania. "[It] improved team work, commitment, motivation of healthcare workers, awareness and involvement of communities in TB control activities." An evaluation comparing six months of TB case notification before and after the project showed a 54 percent increase in detection of TB in all forms in Meru, while in Arusha it increased by 117 percent. The standard operating procedure ?rules? were used to provide clear and simple instructions to the health workers on how to improve TB case detection at different units and sections within health facilities, both outpatient and inpatient departments. Each area was provided with a plan and goals to implement their strategy, plus additional equipment to aid diagnosis such as paediatric score charts. Each area appointed a task force for TB treatment and these groups were encouraged to hold regular feedback meetings. Little data exists on the scale of the TB epidemic in Tanzania, and experts believe the records created by this system could prove a crucial tool in combating its spread and establishing where it is already most prevalent. One doctor based in a rural practice was particularly encouraged by the increased reporting of paediatric cases. He said some children suffering severe respiratory distress had been saved, "who in normal circumstances would have died". A number of the clinicians involved attributed an increase in notification of cases in the under-16 age group specifically to the wider use of paediatric diagnostic score charts. However, several challenges were flagged during the pilot: healthcare workers at Arusha's Selian Hospital said there was an urgent need to strengthen laboratory services to help confirm diagnoses; a lack of microscopes in labs and delays in issuing results were also highlighted. More on TB HEALTH: TB programming, research slowed by inadequate funding KENYA: Stigma holding back the fight against TB HEALTH: What's new in TB technology? SOUTHERN AFRICA: Door-to-door outreach cuts TB prevalence Drug-Resistant TB*Challenges to scale-up* Rolling out the rules on a national scale could also prove challenging as the majority of Tanzanians live in very rural areas and a poor road network means access to healthcare is limited. Mobile diagnosis and training centres that offer new methods of testing - for example, with the use of fluorescence microscopes- could make diagnosis much faster and more accurate. "Patients in Tanzania often have to travel very long distances as most live in rural areas, which costs them money to travel every day and some are essentially too week to go on their own as a very large number are already suffering from the weakness that comes with HIV," said Alex Schulzer of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, which runs patient-centred TB programmes with the government. A shortage of medical professionals could also hinder the expansion of the programme; Schulzer recommended the use of lower cadre health workers and the community itself to fill gaps. The Novartis programme gives patients the choice to either take the daily treatment at a health facility under the supervision of a medical professional, or at home, supported by a family or community member. In the case of home-based treatment, the patient and treatment supporter are required to visit the health facility once a week during the two-month intensive phase to refill prescriptions and see a medical professional. Schulzer said the programme had created a system that gave patients "the freedom not to have to walk miles to the clinic every day. "We also needed to relieve some of the healthcare providers who cannot cope with such large patient numbers on a daily basis," he added. ah/kr/mw From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Thu Feb 2 01:45:19 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:45:19 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (2012.02.01ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E20310361A@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E20310361A@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: ** Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. Star ****Africa** - HIV ? AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST * 1. IRIN PlusNews - ****TANZANIA****: Good results in programme to boost TB detection **** 2. New Times, **Rwanda** - ****Rwanda****: Nyagatare Men Avoiding HIV Tests* *** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* 1. The Hindu, ****India**** - Reform of laws on HIV sought**** 2. ****Kangla Online**, **India**** - `Many children in Manipur die of HIV, untested and untreated` **** ** ** ***EUROPE***** 1. Nature - Global health hits crisis point **** 2. The Observer - Global health hits crisis point **** 3. The Guardian - Put planet and its people at the core of sustainable development, urges report **** 4. Financial Times - The Global Fund must come of age (Editorial) **** ** ** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. Nuevo D?a, Pto Rico - Beneficios para pacientes de VIH/SIDA **** 2. Cambio de Michuac?n, Mexico - Balance del gobierno 2008-2012 y disidentes sexuales **** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** 1. TIME Magazine - Can New Circumcision Devices Help Fight AIDS in **Africa* *?**** 2. Sun Herald - AIDS treatment on Indian reservations clouded by secrets, stigma**** 3. Carin?s New York Business - Coming soon: over-the-counter oral AIDS test **** 4. Associated Press - SAfrica recalls 1.35 million condoms handed out during ANC celebrations over claims of flaws**** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* 1. UNAIDS ? Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair **** ** ** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** HIV ? AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)**** Star **Africa****** 01/02/2012**** ** ** ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) held its General Assembly, today 30 January 2012, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: ?An HIV/AIDS free tomorrow needs caring men and women today?. **** ** ** The OAFLA General Assembly was chaired by Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union. **** ** ** The First Lady of Ethiopia, Mrs Azeb Mesfin was the first to address the audience in her capacity of hostess and former President of OAFLA. She stated that her three years as president of OAFLA gave her a lot of pride, OAFLA being a real step up for the role of First Ladies. According to First Lady Mesfin, the association not only fights against AIDS but also promotes values such as peace, good governance and women empowerment. She explained that, First Ladies have the capacity to influence change through their collective voices, ?they have become the voice of the most vulnerable?, she noted. Mrs. Mesfin underlined the necessity to empower women, as empowerment is the key to protect them from HIV/AIDS. **** ** ** Mrs Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and President of the OAFLA welcomed newcomers. They are: the First Ladies of Cape Verde, Comoros, Southern Sudan, and Zambia. She commended the establishment of a permanent Secretariat for the association in 2009 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and the record attendance during a meeting of the technical advisers which took place last week in Addis Ababa. The meeting grouped 21 advisers sent by the First Ladies. The President of OAFLA then summarized the main achievements during her mandate including: the reduction of Mother to Child Transmission, the promotion of effective communication, advocacy, networking and mobilization of resources and the revitalization of the OAFLA membership. When concluding her speech, she recalled the importance of having an inclusive, comprehensive and flexible agenda in order to include other issues such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, gender-based violence and poverty. ?OAFLA can no longer only be about HIV/AIDS?, she said. **** ** ** Mrs Ban Soon-Taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary General, was the guest of honor at the AOFLA General Assembly. in her speech, Mrs. Ban stated that, the momentum is building and the support for this project is increasing, therefore an AIDS free generation can be reality in a few years. She said saving the lives of children and their mothers is the main goal. ?The improvement of reproductive health services? she said, was also a means to decrease vulnerability factors while highlighting the advantages of couple oriented solutions and the need to have high profile champions in all countries to lead the process in the sensitization campaign. **** ** ** Addressing the African First Ladies, Commissioner Gawanas underlined men involvement in the fight against AIDS. She said men are often blamed and left out when they also have sexual and reproductive health needs that have to be addressed. She recalled the campaign against HIV-AIDS and the effort of the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union to eradicate mother to child transmission to zero. **** ** ** Mr. Michel Sidib?, Executive Director of UNAIDS, on his part, assured the OAFLA members of his support. He congratulated the First Ladies for their efforts aimed at bringing a change in the way people perceived the pandemic and how this has improved the lives of many. He underscored the importance for African countries to look for its own source of financing. ?We are now going through a ?Make it or Break it? phase and we need to find ways to produce our own drugs and look into ways to transfer technologies?, he reiterated. **** ** ** Other key speakers at the General Assembly of OAFLA include: the UNFPA Country Representative and Representative to AU and ECA, Mr. Beno?t Kalasa, RAND Cooperation Representative with OAFLA Dr. Gery Ryan and African AIDS Vaccine Partnership Executive Director Dr. Chidi Victor Nweneka. **** Provided by PR Newswire **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ****TANZANIA****: Good results in programme to boost TB detection **** IRIN PlusNews**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** ARUSHA, 1 February 2012 (PlusNews) - A pilot community programme to improve TB detection in northern Tanzania has shown good results and could be replicated nationwide as the country seeks to improve its TB treatment and prevention systems. **** ** ** Tanzania has been battling TB for years, a struggle intensified by the parallel HIV epidemic; approximately 47 percent of new adult cases in the country are HIV-positive. Without proper treatment, about nine in 10 people living with HIV who become ill with active TB will die within two to three months, according to UNAIDS. **** ** ** The programme, which ran from April to September 2011, systemized the way suspected TB cases were reported and handled. It encouraged healthcare professionals to work closely with community leaders to raise awareness of symptoms at every opportunity, such as at village meetings. It also used posters and slogans to make sure high-risk groups were aware of symptoms. This produced more patient referrals to health centres for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. **** ** ** Another crucial part of the TB pilot project was the creation of a "cough register" in each area, recording who was referred to a healthcare professional for further testing, by whom and the results of that referral. **** ** ** Management Science for Health collaborated with the NGO, PATH, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, at 12 health facilities in northern Tanzania's Arusha and Meru district councils. A crucial tenet of the programme was emphasising that TB and HIV treatment must be done "hand in hand". **** ** ** Results **** "In both districts the standard operating procedure intervention has improved TB case notification in children and women," said Zahra Mkome, director, TB/HIV projects at PATH in Tanzania. "[It] improved team work, commitment, motivation of healthcare workers, awareness and involvement of communities in TB control activities." **** ** ** An evaluation comparing six months of TB case notification before and after the project showed a 54 percent increase in detection of TB in all forms in Meru, while in Arusha it increased by 117 percent. **** ** ** The standard operating procedure ?rules? were used to provide clear and simple instructions to the health workers on how to improve TB case detection at different units and sections within health facilities, both outpatient and inpatient departments. Each area was provided with a plan and goals to implement their strategy, plus additional equipment to aid diagnosis such as paediatric score charts. Each area appointed a task force for TB treatment and these groups were encouraged to hold regular feedback meetings. **** ** ** Little data exists on the scale of the TB epidemic in Tanzania, and experts believe the records created by this system could prove a crucial tool in combating its spread and establishing where it is already most prevalent. ** ** ** ** One doctor based in a rural practice was particularly encouraged by the increased reporting of paediatric cases. He said some children suffering severe respiratory distress had been saved, "who in normal circumstances would have died". A number of the clinicians involved attributed an increase in notification of cases in the under-16 age group specifically to the wider use of paediatric diagnostic score charts. **** ** ** However, several challenges were flagged during the pilot: healthcare workers at Arusha's Selian Hospital said there was an urgent need to strengthen laboratory services to help confirm diagnoses; a lack of microscopes in labs and delays in issuing results were also highlighted. *** * ** ** Challenges to scale-up **** Rolling out the rules on a national scale could also prove challenging as the majority of Tanzanians live in very rural areas and a poor road network means access to healthcare is limited. **** ** ** Mobile diagnosis and training centres that offer new methods of testing - for example, with the use of fluorescence microscopes - could make diagnosis much faster and more accurate. **** ** ** "Patients in Tanzania often have to travel very long distances as most live in rural areas, which costs them money to travel every day and some are essentially too week to go on their own as a very large number are already suffering from the weakness that comes with HIV," said Alex Schulzer of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, which runs patient-centred TB programmes with the government. **** ** ** A shortage of medical professionals could also hinder the expansion of the programme; Schulzer recommended the use of lower cadre health workers and the community itself to fill gaps. The Novartis programme gives patients the choice to either take the daily treatment at a health facility under the supervision of a medical professional, or at home, supported by a family or community member. In the case of home-based treatment, the patient and treatment supporter are required to visit the health facility once a week during the two-month intensive phase to refill prescriptions and see a medical professional. **** ** ** Schulzer said the programme had created a system that gave patients "the freedom not to have to walk miles to the clinic every day. **** ** ** "We also needed to relieve some of the healthcare providers who cannot cope with such large patient numbers on a daily basis," he added**** ** ** *2* ****Rwanda****: Nyagatare Men Avoiding HIV Tests**** New Times, ****Rwanda******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By Dan Ngabonziza**** ** ** Nyagatare ? Many men in Nyagatare District are avoiding free voluntary HIV tests with their spouses despite mass sensitisation campaigns carried out by health officials.**** ** ** Most of married men who talked to The New Times in Karama Sector, preferred seeking the tests without their spouses to avoid squabbles in the family.*** * ** ** "It would turn violent if I go for HIV test with my wife and my results turn positive when she is negative. I would rather go for the test alone," affirmed Jean de la Paix Sindayigaya, a resident of Kabuga Cell.**** ** ** "I just secretly go for HIV test without informing my spouse. This becomes easy forme to handle her in case the tests results are positive".**** ** ** However, the head of Voluntary HIV Testing and Counselling at Kabuga Health Centre in Karama Sector, Donat Mubangizi, explained that it was advisable for couples to go for HIV tests together.**** ** ** "This helps us to counsel them on how they should live the rest of life in case they test HIV positive. Residents should be convinced that an HIV-positive person can even live for many years if he or she seeks counselling from health officials," he observed.**** ** ** It emerged that apart from some men who decline to accompany their spouses for testing, others just shun the test all together.**** ** ** "Some men believe that if a woman goes for HIV test and tests negative, they are also negative. That's why a big number of them (men) don't go for HIV test," noted another resident.**** ** ** Health officials in the sector believe that new HIV infections in the sector have drastically been checked as a result of mass campaigns conducted under a new project: "Behaviour Change and Social Marketing (BCSM)" which operates under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church.**** ** ** Over 121 couples in the sector sought free HIV test last week during the project's mass campaign in the 14 sectors of the district.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** Reform of laws on HIV sought**** The Hindu, ****India******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** STAFF REPORTER**** ** ** Chennai - Every time Priya goes to the airport, she hopes the security guy at the gate does not know to read Tamil. With a voter ID card that says male in Tamil and female in English, she, as a transgender, faces the problem of having multiple identities, and she is certainly not alone.**** ** ** People belonging to the transgender community like Priya were among the participants at a regional consultation organised by the V-Community Action Network and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law and UNAIDS Technical Support Facility for South Asia that took place here on Tuesday. Over 60 persons, including commercial sex workers, transgenders, people living with HIV and Men having Sex with Men (MSM) participated.**** ** ** ?Tamil Nadu may have been the frontrunner in improving the lives of the transgender community, but the focus has been more on the welfare, not on legal policies. Proper implementation of policies is what we want,? said S. Noori, president of the South India Positive Network.**** ** ** Members of the community highlighted their concerns, including the need for social protection and scientific sex change operations. ?The Transgender Welfare Board started in 2008 is almost dysfunctional now. There is no way our grievance can be heard,? said Ms. Noori. The participants discussed the need to reform laws related to HIV/AIDS, particularly ones that reinforce bias against persons with HIV. Since same-sex marriages are illegal, such couples cannot adopt or even buy a life insurance policy, among other things.**** ** ** ?Many police station and officials, to ensure they have a certain number of cases at the end of the year, arrest sex workers and make sure they get summoned and later arrested. Some even don't know that paid sex is not punishable in India, only soliciting is,? said Tito Thomas, director, Centre for Social Research and Development.**** ** ** Organisations need to stand up in defence of the community, besides providing intervention during crisis, said E. Manohar, a social activist from Karnataka. Mr. Manohar said that adult women, who were victims of trafficking, were often kept in government homes, worse than jails, and given an upkeep amount of not more than Rs.13 a day. The recent changes in laws in many countries, including Sweden, Denmark, and others to criminalise clients show that international communities too fail to understand how that would add to the insecurities of the sex workers, he said. Karnataka, he said, recently became the first State to allow all forms of transgenders to avail the benefits that backward classes do.**** ** ** HIV is not a medical issue alone, and it is necessary to understand it in the context of social, economical and psychological scenarios, said Indhu Sivakumar, from TSU- TANSACS. ?The community needs to be empowered too, even with the knowledge of legal procedures,? she added.**** ** ** Ayesha Mago, project coordinator, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law, underscored the need to table and pass the HIV Bill soon to ensure there was access to healthcare and education.**** ** ** *3* `Many children in Manipur die of HIV, untested and untreated` **** Kangla Online, ****India******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Written by Imphal Free Press**** ** ** IMPHAL, Jan 31: With the launch of the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) programme, the onus is now great on outreach workers as the first step in caring for HIV infected children is accurate and early diagnosis of HIV.**** ** ** This was stated by project director of the Manipur State Aids Control Society (MACS) ****Dr** **SK******** ** ** Chaurasia while inaugurating a one-day capacity building workshop of outreach workers on Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and HIV Exposed Infants (HEI) care and treatment held here at Hotel Nirmala today.**** ** ** The workshop is the first in a series of programmes to be held during the next three days for training outreach workers, staff of EID designated centres, District AIDS Control officers and District Supervisers. It is organized by MACS with support from UNICEF, ****Assam**** office.**** ** ** Emphasizing the major role of outreach workers in the successful and effective implementation of the newly launched EID programme in the state, Dr Chaurasia urged the participants to work with full compassion and dedication to enhance the quality of life of HIV exposed children, he called upon them to ?reach the unreached.?**** ** ** Speaking as resource person during the technical session, former project director of MACS, Dr Pramod Kumar, Dr Pramod Kumar expressed concern that service gap in identifying and providing follow-up service to HIV exposed pregnant mothers and their children as well as late detection and diagnosis could lead to worsening of the HIV epidemic in the state.**** ** ** It is estimated that 94,000 children below 15 yrs are infected with HIV in * *India**, most of which are in the high burden districts of states in South and **North-East India**, including Manipur. In Manipur during the last five yrs, out of 11,72,116 people tested, 13,064 were found positive, out of which 4,803 were women and 1,369 were children. Sero-prevalence for children increased from 6.8 % in 2004 to 7.6 % in 2008, he said.**** ** ** Expressing concern, he added that as on October 2010 cumulative number of children living with HIV/AIDS registered in HIV care in the state was 2,431, but only 722 started ART. Hence, the fear is that many children either die untested and untreated, he continued, and further stressed that networking and linkages are extra important.**** ** ** ?We have the technology, medicine, doctors, facility and children who need help, therefore not providing service here would be akin to killing the children ourselves,? he said urging the outreach workers to do their best in closing the gaps in service.**** ** ** Deputy Director (CST) of MACS, Dr Y. Gopal Krishna, Head of Department of Paediatric Department, RIMS, Prof. Dr. H. Ranbir, Programme Director, Centre of Excellence, Paediatric, JNIMS, Dr. Apabi, Technician at ART Centre, RIMS, Bunty Naorem, and State Co-ordinator of IL&FS, M. Premjit were the other resource persons of the workshop.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Global health hits crisis point **** Nature**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Laurie Garrett**** ** ** Last week, Michel Kazatchkine tendered his resignation as executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Regardless of whether you've heard of the French AIDS scientist, or even of the fund, you should keep reading. This is a crucial, dangerous moment for global health.**** ** ** Kazatchkine made clear the political struggle that forced his resignation. ?The Global Fund has helped to spearhead an entirely new framework of international development partnership,? he wrote in his resignation letter. But under stress during the world economic crisis, with radically declining support from donors, a battle developed. ?Today, the Global Fund stands at a cross-road. In the international political economy, power-balances are shifting and new alignments of countries and decision-making institutions are emerging or will have to be developed to achieve global goals. Within the area of global health, the emergency approaches of the past decade are giving way to concerns about how to ensure long-term sustainability, while at the same time, efficiency is becoming a dominant measure of success,? he wrote.**** ** ** It is almost possible to hear Kazatchkine spitting out the words 'sustainability' and 'efficiency'. Since the financial crisis of November 2008, a storm has been brewing over these concepts, one that affects everything from humanitarian responses to projects that distribute malaria bed nets. It is a fight, and on one side are those who believe that crises in general, and the AIDS pandemic and allied diseases in particular, constitute global 'emergencies' that must be tackled with full force, mistakes be damned. On the other are those who feel that AIDS is now a chronic disease that can be managed with medication and therefore requires investment in permanent infrastructure of care and treatment that can eventually be operated and funded by the countries themselves.**** ** ** It is a classic battle of titans, pitting urgency against long-term sustainability. In his resignation letter, Kazatchkine essentially conceded victory to the forces for sustainability. Charitable urgency didn't stand a chance once the donor states started cinching their domestic budget belts so tightly that they had to punch new buckle holes.**** ** ** The fund was established ten years ago as a unique mechanism to move billions of dollars from rich countries to poorer ones, to combat and treat three infectious diseases: HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. It acts as a granting agency, accepting applications from governments and health organizations, and convenes regular replenishment meetings to tell donors ? mostly the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany ? how much money is needed for the next round.**** ** ** By the end of 2009, the fund was disbursing US$2.7 billion a year, and was underwriting almost half of all HIV treatment in poor countries, about two-thirds of all malaria prevention and treatment in the world and about 65% of all tuberculosis efforts. The fund's most marked impact has been on malaria. At the end of 2011, the World Health Organization estimated that the number of malaria deaths had fallen by one-quarter between 2000 and 2010.**** ** ** But Global-Fund cash has spawned dependency and expectation among its recipients. Should it disappear, or radically diminish, countries would be hard-pressed to finance malaria and tuberculosis efforts.**** ** ** Indeed, the great diminishment has commenced. In October 2010, the fund asked donors for $20 billion for five years' worth of disbursements. The donors were indignant and committed just over half that. In response, the fund's flabbergasted leadership cancelled the next grant round, and it will now not distribute new grants until 2014.**** ** ** Donor scrutiny increased and a high-level independent review panel set up by the fund's governing board, which includes representatives of United Nations agencies and the World Bank, released a scathing report, citing a litany of problems, including fraud, theft and inconsistent decision-making by grant reviewers.**** ** ** At a meeting in ****Accra**, **Ghana****, on 21 November, the board members expressed shock at the problems identified by the high-level panel, and by reports commissioned on the situation on the ground in some countries. Some African leaders described riots and demonstrations at the lack of vital medicines, especially for HIV. The board's own investigation showed that the fund had committed assets of $10 billion for 2011?13, but had only about $4 billion in its bank accounts.**** ** ** The board called for ways to stretch available resources and eliminate inefficiencies. Key to that would be the appointment of a general manager to oversee all spending, pushing Kazatchkine aside. Stepping into that position is Colombian banker Gabriel Jaramillo.**** ** ** To try to give Jaramillo a running start, in ****Davos**, **Switzerland****, last week, Bill Gates handed over some $750 million, redeemable by the fund in full during 2012, or spread out over time. And the Saudi Arabian government announced a $25-million donation. As generous as these millions may be, the fund needs billions just to stay alive and fulfil country grants, let alone to grow. Right now we have no idea where that money will come from. Should the fund collapse, the consequences will be severe. Progress against tuberculosis and malaria will stall, and more than a million people living with HIV could be left without treatment.**** Volume:482,Pages:7 DOI:doi:10.1038/482007a**** ** ** *3* Save **West Africa** from the drugs barons **** The Observer**** 29/01/2012**** ** ** Comment is free**** By Kofi Annan**** ** ** Over the last decade, West Africa has made encouraging progress. Violent conflicts that had blighted the region for many years have been ended. There have been real advances in development, health and education. Economic growth is accelerating. Democratic practice, although still not the norm everywhere in the region, is taking root.**** ** ** But this progress is increasingly at risk from the threat posed by international drug trafficking and the criminal networks behind the trade. The smuggling of illegal drugs through West Africa, notably cocaine and heroin, has increased dramatically. A decade ago, the total seizures of cocaine in the region were less than 100 kilos. By 2009, this had increased to nearly 6,500 kilos. The World Bank estimated that cocaine with a street value of $6.8bn was trafficked through the region the previous year.**** ** ** This is not restricted to West Africa. Across the globe, drug trafficking and the organised crime behind it are placing increasing pressures on all legal and democratic systems. But countries emerging from conflict or violence are particularly susceptible to organised crime. Law enforcement can be weak, while widespread poverty makes it easier for criminal networks to penetrate and pervert the often fragile institutions of democratic states.**** ** ** West Africa and other regions in Africa are not immune from these pressures. Indeed, they face three inter-related dangers from illegal drug trafficking. First, there is the threat from drug-funded corruption, which can corrode fledgling state institutions and undermine good governance and the rule of law. Second, there is the risk that drug traffickers link up with other criminal elements or, worse, terrorist groups that may be trying to infiltrate and destabilise the region.**** ** ** Finally, there is the harmful impact on the health and social cohesion of local communities caused by growing drug consumption by people within the region. Evidence of this disturbing trend is already apparent. According to a recent report from the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime, in 2009 around a third of the South American cocaine destined for Europe and shipped via West Africa was consumed locally.**** ** ** Organisations such as the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States have already sounded the alarm about the growing scale of the threat and the dangers it poses to governance, security and democracy. Governments in the region are taking action to stem and disrupt the flow of drugs. But there remains an urgent need to accelerate and ensure a coherent response at the national, regional and international levels.**** ** ** We need to take action now before the grip of the criminal networks linked to the trafficking of illicit drugs tightens into a stranglehold on West African political and economic development. That can only achieved through a strong, well-co-ordinated and integrated effort led by West African states with the strong backing of the international community. In particular, the region needs more help from those countries that are producing and consuming these drugs.**** ** ** To help provide new impetus and solutions to this threat, a meeting of independent experts from within the region and the wider international community will be convened later this year. The aim is to assess the dangers that drug trafficking poses to governance, security and democracy in West Africa and to propose concrete measures to combat this insidious menace.**** ** ** We have already seen, in other parts of the world, the devastation the trade in drugs can cause. It would be a tragedy if drugs were again to plunge West Africa into conflict and destroy the progress and hard-won democratic gains of recent years. We must all come together to prevent such a disaster.**** ** ** *4***** Put planet and its people at the core of sustainable development, urges report **** The Guardian**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Mark Tran in Addis Ababa**** ** ** Social and environmental costs need to be integrated into measurement of economic activity, a new UN report said on Monday as it urged world leaders to focus on the long-term resilience of the planet and its people.**** ** ** The report from the high-level panel on global sustainability calls for a set of sustainable development indicators that go beyond the traditional approach of gross domestic product. It recommends that governments develop and apply a set of sustainable development goals that can mobilise global action.**** ** ** At the report's launch during the AU summit, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, made it plain that sustainable development is a top priority for his second term of office.**** ** ** "We need to chart a new, more sustainable course for the future, one that strengthens equality and economic growth while protecting our planet," he said.**** ** ** Ban established a 22-member panel in August 2010, co-chaired by Finland's president Tarja Halonen and Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa. The group was tasked with producing a blueprint for sustainable development and low-carbon prosperity.**** ** ** The panel's final report, Resilient People, Resilient Planet: a Future Worth Choosing, contains 56 recommendations to put sustainable development into practice and to mainstream it into economic policy as quickly as possible.**** ** ** Halonen stressed the importance of placing people at the centre of achieving sustainable development.**** ** ** "Eradication of poverty and improving equity must remain priorities for the world community," she said. "The panel has concluded that empowering women and ensuring a greater role for them in the economy is critical for sustainable development."**** ** ** The report feeds into preparations for the UN conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) in Brazil in June 2012. Among its key points is that most goods and services sold today fail to bear the full environmental and social cost of production and consumption.**** ** ** "Based on the science, we need to reach consensus, over time, on methodologies to price them properly. Costing environmental externalities could open new opportunities for green growth and green jobs," says the report.**** ** ** Underscoring the importance of science as an essential guide for decision-making on sustainability issues, the report calls on the UN secretary-general to lead efforts to produce a regular global sustainable development outlook report that integrates knowledge across sectors and institutions, and to consider creating a science advisory board or scientific advisor.**** ** ** The report stresses the importance of gender equality in any serious shift towards sustainable development.**** ** ** "Half of humankind's collective intelligence and capacity is a resource we must nurture and develop, for the sake of multiple generations to come," says the report. "The next increment of global growth could well come from the full economic empowerment of women."**** ** ** Among the recommendations for a sustainable economy, the report calls for a phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies and other "perverse or trade-distorting" subsidies by 2020. However, such decisions can be politically unpopular, as the unrest in Nigeria over a reduction in fuel subsidies underlined. Aware of the political sensitivities involved, the report says the reduction of subsidies must be done in a manner that protects the poor.**** ** ** The report calls on governments to change the regulation of financial markets to promote longer-term and sustainable investment. It cites the example of Norway, where the ministry of finance is responsible for co-ordinating work on a national strategy covering the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development.**** ** ** To implement this strategy, Norway has integrated sustainable development into the annual budget. In every yearly budget, follow-up is reported in a separate chapter that includes contributions from each government ministry as well as the statistics office.**** ** ** As the report notes, Norway has developed 18 indicators that have become increasingly important in monitoring the extent to which the country's activities are consistent with sustainable development targets.**** ** ** While welcoming the panel's vision, Oxfam said the recommendations were weak.**** ** ** "The emphasis on women's rights and the call for an 'ever-green' revolution in agriculture, so it is more resource-efficient and productive, is helpful, but concrete recommendations on reforming the food system are thin," said Sarah Best of Oxfam. "There is nothing in the report on how to finance the recommendations ? for instance, through a levy on international shipping and aviation, or a financial transaction tax ? which has been backed by the UN panel on climate finance." **** ** ** The panel's findings come 25 years after Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former prime minister of Norway, produced a landmark eponymous report that defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".**** ** ** "Since then, the world has gained a deeper understanding of the interconnected challenges we face and the fact that sustainable development provides the best opportunity for people to choose their future," says the report. "This makes ours a propitious moment in history to make the right choices and move towards sustainable development in earnest."**** ** ** *5* The Global Fund must come of age (Editorial) **** Financial Times**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** The Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria has proved to be one of the world?s most important and innovative multilateral funding agencies. The abrupt reshuffle of top management last week must not distract attention from its achievements over the past decade, which on their own justify further donor support.**** ** ** Michel Kazatchkine, the Swiss-based organisation?s executive director for the past five years, resigned after the board imposed a general manager to work alongside him and restructure its operations. His contribution in raising funds and support over the past five years deserves recognition.**** ** ** His departure followed allegations ? rebutted by the board ? that the Global Fund had made payments to people close to Carla Bruni, President Sarkozy?s wife, who is an HIV ambassador. There were also claims of corruption among countries receiving its support. If Mr Kazatchkine is open to criticism, it centres on his governance style. The overall level of abuse was low, and the Global Fund?s policy of transparency ? including publishing audits of its own inspector-general ? has left it vulnerable to attacks compared with rival aid agencies.**** ** ** By avoiding the ?top down? approach of faddish programmes dictated by donors, the Global Fund has helped developing countries to save millions of lives and boost economic growth through bednets, diagnostics, health education and medicines to treat the world?s three most lethal infectious diseases. It is a model that could be applied more widely in health, education and other areas of development assistance.**** ** ** After 10 years urgently raising and spending money, there is a need to re-examine the agency?s management and operations, particularly when squeezed donors are seeking better value for money. The Global Fund, like its peers, must be more critical in scrutinising grant applications to ensure its stretched finances go to the neediest: those with fewest resources, the highest disease burden, and policies that do most to prevent and treat infection.**** ** ** That requires a very different set of skills than those expected of Mr Kazatchkine when he was appointed to build an organisation still in its infancy. It also implies a more active role from Global Fund directors, with greater accountability imposed on the board of donor and recipient governments, non-profit groups and businesses. They must share the blame for past failures and extend more selective support in the future.**** Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2012.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Beneficios para pacientes de VIH/SIDA **** Nuevo D?a Puerto Rico**** 29/01/2012**** ** ** Por Inter News Service**** ** ** Puerto Rico ha obtenido mayores beneficios que otros estados para los pacientes de VIH/SIDA, dijo hoy el secretario de Salud, Lorenzo Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** "Hemos trabajado incansablemente para que la comunidad VIH/SIDA en Puerto Rico adquiera beneficios adicionales para atender su condici?n. En esa direcci?n, esta administraci?n ha alcanzado innumerables logros para continuar brindando servicios y asegurando otros que han sido eliminados en otras jurisdicciones de Estados Unidos", se?al?.**** ** ** "El plan de salud del gobierno, Mi Salud (Modelo Integrado de Salud), cuenta con una cubierta amplia de servicios para el tratamiento de los beneficiarios elegibles y con condici?n Factor VIH Positivo y/o S?ndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA). Esto incluye servicios ambulatorios, medicamentos y servicios de hospitalizaci?n, entre otros", record? el galeno, al tiempo que rese?? que en el 2010 se destinaron alrededor de 44.2 millones de d?lares en servicios m?dicos directos a la poblaci?n VIH/SIDA de los cuales 15.1 millones se pagaron en medicamentos.**** ** ** El Secretario de Salud indic? adem?s que la Administraci?n de Seguros de Salud (ASES), mediante un acuerdo con el Departamento de Salud, identific? 26 millones de d?lares para la utilizaci?n de medicamentos de pacientes VIH/SIDA. **** ** ** Seg?n datos de la agencia, bajo la cubierta de Mi Salud, se atendieron en el a?o 2010 un total 7,385 pacientes ?nicos de VIH/SIDA.**** ** ** "El Plan Mi Salud tiene en su cubierta especial a los pacientes de VIH/SIDA para que puedan acceder los servicios de la red de proveedores sin necesidad de referidos y cuenta con centros especializados dedicados para beneficio de esta poblaci?n", a?adi? Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** El funcionario precis? que, en Puerto Rico no existe una lista de espera para medicamentos sufragados por el programa ADAP (AIDS Drugs Assistance Program). "Esto contrasta con 12 estados de Estados Unidos, que han tenido que implementar una lista de espera como medida de control de costos. Hemos tomado medidas que garanticen la continuidad del tratamiento de esta poblaci?n y as? contin?en recibiendo sus medicamentos", asegur?.**** ** ** Destac? adem?s que el a?o pasado se implement? por primera vez un Programa de Asistencia en Deducibles y Co-aseguros para personas con VIH/SIDA que tienen un plan m?dico privado. "De esta iniciativa, se han beneficiado 226 pacientes que participan del programa que les permite asumir los costos para su debido tratamiento que de otra forma no pod?an sufragar. Esperamos poder proveer este servicio a otros pacientes elegibles", augur? Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** Sobre el programa Ryan White, el funcionario agreg? que se est? atendiendo responsablemente las penalidades que recibi? Puerto Rico bajo pasadas administraciones y que al d?a de hoy consiste de una deuda que asciende a 28 millones de d?lares.**** ** ** "Mediante un esfuerzo coordinado con la Oficina del Comisionado Residente, estamos en el proceso de negociaci?n de la deuda arrastrada desde los a?os 2002-2005 por la mala utilizaci?n de estos fondos federales y que incluye intereses generados de unos 4 millones de d?lares", dijo.**** ** ** Actualmente, el equipo de Ryan White se encuentra realizando una nueva Encuesta de Satisfacci?n a Pacientes de los servicios que se proveen a trav?s de la red de proveedores con el fin de obtener el informe final para este pr?ximo mes de febrero. "La informaci?n que obtengamos producto de esta encuesta nos permitir? realizar cualquier ajuste en el plan de trabajo establecido para nuestros pacientes de VIH/SIDA, especialmente en el ?rea de calidad", adelant? el galeno.**** ** ** *2* Balance del gobierno 2008-2012 y disidentes sexuales **** Cambo de MIchuac?n, Mexico**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Gerardo A. Herrera P?rez**** ** ** Estamos ya en la cuenta regresiva del gobierno del maestro Leonel Godoy Rangel, a unos d?as de que concluya esta administraci?n; quienes hemos estado trabajando en favor de la diversidad sexual, en contra de la discriminaci?n y a favor de la igualdad social, presentamos un balance general de las principales acciones realizadas por la comunidad diversa sexual y el gobierno del estado.**** ** ** Presentar un balance del Programa Estatal de Desarrollo del Gobierno 2008-2012 en relaci?n con los homosexuales, me parece fundamental, porque da congruencia al trabajo que se puede realizar desde diversos escenarios con la participaci?n de los diferentes ?rganos de gobierno a favor de los grupos vulnerados.**** ** ** Se emprendieron diversas acciones con este gobierno desde su inicio, recordamos cuando convoc? el titular de la Secretar?a de Gobierno, el otrora maestro Fidel Calder?n a una comisi?n promotora del Foro Estatal de Democracia Participativa, que se llev? a cabo en marzo de 2008, de la cual form? parte el Grupo de Facto Diversidad Sexual y desde luego el Colectivo de Organizaciones de Derechos Humanos y para 2009, la misma comisi?n promotora convoc? a los foros regionales, que se llevaron a cabo en diversas regiones del estado (Zit?cuaro, L?zaro C?rdenas, Zamora, entre otras). Grupo de Facto, en todos los foros no s?lo fue comit? promotor, sino que entreg? en todos estos foros posicionamientos desde la sociedad civil para fortalecer la figura jur?dica de la Contralor?a Social, la iniciativa popular, entre otras. Gracias a este trabajo de cientos de michoacanas y michoacanos el gobierno del estado pudo preparar una iniciativa de Ley de Participaci?n Ciudadana y entregarla a la pasada LXXI Legislatura, quien de manera ?rasurada? aprob?.**** ** ** Otro aspecto en el que el Grupo de Facto colabor? fue en la formaci?n y capacitaci?n de recursos humanos de la Secretar?a de Seguridad P?blica para fortalecer acciones de prevenci?n para la comunidad disidente sexual; con las y el titular de dicha instancia gubernamental se tuvieron acercamientos que permitieron llevar a cabo una pol?tica p?blica de prevenci?n del delito para la comunidad homosexual y llevar a cabo acciones de sensibilizaci?n a trav?s de cursos taller con la polic?a del Centro Hist?rico de Morelia, cuyo prop?sito fue reforzar los principios de igualdad y tolerancia entre personas con una preferencia diferente a la heterosexual, y plantear la no discriminaci?n a grupos vulnerables y personas viviendo con VIH Sida. Estas acciones concluyeron el 18 de febrero del 2010, cuando se entregaron las constancias a polic?as del Centro Hist?rico que participaron en el curso-taller de discriminaci?n por preferencias sexuales, trabajo sexual y portadores de VIH/Sida, un evento in?dito hasta ese momento en el estado de Michoac?n.**** ** ** Adicionalmente y de manera coordinada, Grupo de Facto y SSP dise?aron e instrumentaron la pol?tica p?blica integral de ?prevenci?n y seguridad? para la comunidad homosexual, que incluye: a) ?Cartilla para la prevenci?n del delito?, se repartieron 5 mil ejemplares, b) L?nea telef?nica del 066 de ?emergencias?, c) La operaci?n de una Oficina de Atenci?n a la Diversidad Sexual, dependiente de la Direcci?n de Participaci?n Ciudadana para la Prevenci?n del Delito y d) Correo electr?nico, el cual brind? asesor?a v?a internet.**** ** ** Adicionalmente a ello, se desarrollaron ?cursos de capacitaci?n a la Polic?a Estatal Preventiva desde la perspectiva de los derechos humanos para el servicio de seguridad?, los mismos fueron organizados por la Unidad de Derechos Humanos (UDH) de la Secretar?a de Gobierno, en cuyo temario incluyeron los temas de diversidad sexual; discriminaci?n y estigma. El curso taller que imparti? Grupo de Facto fue en diversos momentos, en abril, mayo y junio de 2011, tanto en la Academia de Polic?a en Morelia, como en Uruapan, en Zit?cuaro y en Apatzing?n, capacit?ndose a m?s de 250 elementos de Seguridad P?blica y funcionarios de procuraci?n de justicia.*** * ** ** Cabe destacar que tambi?n de manera coordinada con el Centro de Readaptaci?n Social de Mil Cumbres, se llevaron a cabo diversas acciones con las mujeres reclusas, conferencia sobre violencia de g?nero, Feria Informativa sobre el Derecho a la Salud, entre otras acciones. **** ** ** Con la Secretar?a de Pol?tica Social se particip? en las cuatro ferias de las OSC organizadas por esta administraci?n; en la Octava Feria de las OSC 2011, el Grupo de Facto pudo dirigirse al se?or gobernador a nombre de las 145 OSC participantes, el mensaje incluyo apoy? para las OSC y la presentaci?n de la Ley de Fortalecimiento a las OSC en Michoac?n; de igual manera la Sepsol apoy? a Grupo de Facto con materiales m?dicos para ser entregados a personas adultas mayores de diversas localidades de P?tzcuaro.* *** ** ** Con la Secretar?a de la Mujer (Semujer) y en el seno del Consejo Estatal para la Atenci?n y Prevenci?n del VIH Sida (Coesida), con diversas dependencias y entidades de la administraci?n p?blica del estado, el Grupo de Facto (consejero del Coesida) ha propuesto acciones que hoy se constituyen como pol?tica p?blica, como lo fue el Grupo de Trabajo Mujer y VIH Sida, que es presidido por la Semujer, con el apoyo de Grupo de Facto y otras instancias; de igual manera se promovieron diversas acciones que se realizan a favor de la inclusi?n y pluralidad para prevenir la discriminaci?n de quienes viven con VIH Sida y cuya Comisi?n contra Estigma y Discriminaci?n es presidida por el Grupo de Facto; adem?s se han apoyado los eventos para la conmemoraci?n del D?a Internacional de Lucha Contra el Sida en Morelia y L?zaro C?rdenas y ser el Grupo de Facto quienes empujan de manera conjunta con otras instancias como la Procuradur?a de Justicia y la Fiscal?a Especial de Delitos de la Familia, el Programa del D?a de la Tolerancia y Respeto a las Diferencias con una diversidad de acciones, como conferencias, talleres, foros, exposiciones y ferias de la salud.**** ** ** Tambi?n con la Semujer hemos colaborado en el modelo de equidad de g?nero y de mujer y VIH Sida, participando en al menos 33 diversos eventos (conferencias, cursos de capacitaci?n y talleres) para la sensibilizaci?n de personal m?dico para evitar la discriminaci?n en espacios hospitalarios de las jurisdicciones sanitarias de L?zaro C?rdenas, Uruapan, Zit?cuaro, La Piedad, Zamora y Morelia, as? como para apoyar las acciones que se desarrollan en materia de sexualidad entre la Semujer y la SEE, en este marco el Grupo de Facto apoy? con talleres a maestros de educaci?n secundaria t?cnica, secundarias generales y telesecundarias de todo el estado, con eventos regionales en Ciudad Hidalgo, Zamora, Zacapu, L?zaro C?rdenas, Maravat?o, Uruapan, Apatzing?n, M?gica y Morelia.**** ** ** Con el Sistema Michoacano de Radio y Televisi?n participamos en diversos programas de radio y televisi?n, Grupo de Facto fue comentarista en ?Contexto a las seis?, conducido por V?ctor Ardura, de manera permanente y hoy tenemos el honor de ser articulistas del peri?dico semanal El Michoacano, as? como comentarista del programa de televisi?n ?Razones?, adem?s de participar en diversas ocasiones en programas espec?ficos del sistema como ?Conexi?n Sepsol?, ?Reactivo despertando inquietudes?, los noticieros en sus tres horarios, entre otros programas especiales.**** ** ** De igual manera se particip? en diversos foros, congresos y talleres a que fue invitado Grupo de Facto durante estos ya cuatro a?os de administraci?n y que a los mismos siempre lleg? Grupo de Facto con propuestas concretas para proponer. Cabe destacar el trabajo permanente de Grupo de Facto en el Consejo Estatal para la Prevenci?n del VIH Sida, tanto como consejero, como coordinador del Comit? contra Estigma y Discriminaci?n, desde donde se realizaron diversas acciones de prevenci?n.**** ** ** De igual manera destacamos la participaci?n del Ejecutivo del estado en diversos eventos realizados por el Grupo de Facto, como los realizados en las cinco ?ltimas ediciones para conmemorar el D?a Internacional contra la Homofobia.**** ** ** Desde la sociedad civil organizada, Grupo de Facto logr? articular con la voluntad pol?tica de las autoridades gubernamentales un proyecto de sinergias al Programa Estatal de Desarrollo 2008-2012; la ?nica asignatura pendiente, no se instal? el Consejo Estatal para Prevenir la Discriminaci?n. **** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Can New Circumcision Devices Help Fight AIDS in **Africa**?**** TIME Magazine**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Alexandra Sifferlin**** ** ** It?s a lofty, but vital goal. Africa wants to circumcise 20 million men by 2015 to help curb the AIDS epidemic plaguing the continent. Studies show that the procedure is one of the most effective ?vaccines? against HIV, reducing the risk of infection in men by at least 60%, the New York Times reports.**** ** ** However, only about 600,000 men have had the operation so far and the clock is ticking ? every missed day means more chances for infection. The main obstacle lies in a shortage of surgeons to provide circumcision, and provide it quickly. According to the Times, it takes a skilled surgeon about 15 minutes per circumcision and such doctors are hard to come by in Africa.**** ** ** Now, new circumcision devices on the market may help fill the demand. PrePex and Shang Ring are two devices under evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO) to speed the process, Dr. Stefano Bertozzi, director of HIV for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation told the Times.**** ** ** The FDA approved PrePex just a few weeks ago. It was invented in 2009 by four Israelis, one a urologist who heard the plea for surgeons in Africa. Out of all similar devices, PrePex is so far the quickest, least bloody and least painful. It?s also remarkably simple ? its technology is based on a rubber band. According to the Times:**** ** ** The band compresses the foreskin against a plastic ring slipped inside it; the foreskin dies within hours for lack of blood and, after a week, falls off or can be clipped off ?like a fingernail,? said Tzameret Fuerst, the company?s chief executive officer, who compared the process to the stump of an umbilical cord?s shriveling up and dropping off a few days after it is clamped.**** (You can watch a video of PrePex being used on an adult patient here, but be warned, the images are explicit.)**** ** ** According to Dr. Jason Reed, an epidemiologist in the global AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PrePex could increase circumcisions to 400 a day, compared to the current 60 to 80. The device can be placed and removed in minutes by trained nurses.**** ** ** The WHO is also considering the Shang Ring, a Chinese device with a plastic two-ring clamp. Unlike PrePex, the Chinese contraption requires the medical provider to cut excess foreskin beyond the clamp, which means injections of anesthetics are needed, as well as enough training for the provider to perform minor surgery.**** ** ** ?The Shang is not as fast, but it?s faster than full-fledged surgery,? AIDS-prevention expert Mitchell Warren told the Times. ?And it hasn?t submitted as much safety data.?**** ** ** Although there are a few other devices on the market, PrePex and Shang Ring are the most promising. If approved for use by WHO, the devices could be fundamental in helping Africa meet its goal.**** ** ** *3* AIDS treatment on Indian reservations clouded by secrets, stigma**** The Sun Herald**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By NICOLE GILBERT - Cronkie News Service**** ** ** CHINLE, Arizona -- Melvin Harrison drifted far from his boyhood home on the Navajo Nation and found himself addicted to drugs and barefoot on the streets of San Diego.**** ** ** When he entered a drug and alcohol treatment program in 1987, he had no idea what HIV was or that AIDS would claim the lives of so many he loved. It wasn't something talked about on the reservation, he said.**** Then, with one blood test, **Harrison** faced his own mortality. **** ** ** "It scared the heck out of me because I was shooting drugs," he said.**** **Harrison** tested negative for HIV. But his experience prompted him to take action in the Navajo community, educating people about the disease as the founding executive director of the Navajo AIDS Network.**** ** ** "In the Navajo way of life ... on HIV and gay issues, nobody is understanding," he said.**** Harrison and others say that HIV is a taboo topic among the Navajo tribe, one of the largest in the country with more than 300,000 members. Many Navajo, they say, believe that speaking of disease is the same as bringing it into the community.**** ** ** The **Gallup** **Indian** **Medical** **Center** in ****Gallup**, **N.M.****, has seen a steady increase of new HIV cases among Navajos over the past 10 years - doctors recorded 35 cases in 2010, up from just 15 cases in 2000. The numbers may reflect an increase in testing, but according to infectious disease specialist Dr. Jonathan Iralu, they may reveal other trends.**** ** ** "HIV is not just an illness that's present in the East Coast or the West Coast or the inner city," he said. "It's something that's come even to rural ****America****."**** Iralu said he sees more cases these days of Navajos contracting HIV from other Navajos, whereas before most patients became infected in cities off the reservation. And more heterosexual people are testing positive now, he said, shattering the misconception that only homosexual men contract HIV.*** * ** ** The Navajo AIDS Network works with the ****Gallup** **Indian** **Medical** * *Center**** to provide case management and counseling to newly diagnosed patients all across the reservation. It also offers HIV testing, promoted by advertisements in movie theaters, posters and brochures.**** ** ** **Harrison** said his organization probably only works with a fraction of the Navajos infected with HIV, as the stigma of and misinformation about AIDS prevents residents from getting tested.**** "If you go down here to the schools or across Navajo (territory), you'll find that many of our high school students, and just people in general, think that's still a gay man's disease," he said.**** ** ** *4* Coming soon: over-the-counter oral AIDS test **** Crain?s New York Business.com**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Gale Scott**** ** ** With HIV infection remaining a major health concern in ****New York City****, many public health researchers are clamoring for an over-the-counter oral test for the virus. The thinking is that a home kit would let people test themselves, or to insist that partners or potential partners take and pass the test as a condition of having unprotected sex.**** ** ** That test could arrive soon, if the FDA rules favorably on an application from OraSure Technologies. The ****Bethlehem**, **Penn.****, company has asked permission to have its OraQuick rapid HIV test approved for retail sale?much like a home pregnancy test. The product is widely used in clinical settings and is expected to sell for around $20 if approved. **** ** ** Though many companies sell rapid HIV tests, OraSure is the only one that sells both blood and oral tests. Six others sell blood tests. "Our market share is 70% to 80% in public health and 50% to 60% in hospitals. We are the market leader" said OraSure CEO Douglas Michels.**** ** ** FDA approval could come this year, ending a process that started when the company approached the FDA in 2004 with market research that showed a $500 million potential ****U.S.**** sales-demand for a home test. The company submitted its final module of clinical tests results to the FDA in last month.**** ** ** Physically, the process would be simple: wipe a swab inside the mouth, dip it into a container, wait 20 minutes. One line means HIV negative, two lines means it is positive. In terms of manners however, it would be anything but simple, according to a study by ****Columbia** **University****researchers published Wednesday. **** ** ** Alex Carballo-Di?guez, Timothy Frasca and colleagues at the **HIV** **Center ** for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the ****New York**** State Psychiatric Institute recruited subjects from a high-risk group, men who have sex with men. Though the HIV test would be marketed to heterosexuals as well, the researchers chose homosexual and bisexual men because the virus is spreading more quickly in that demographic. Of 3,481 new HIV diagnoses in ****New York City**** in 2010, 52.1% were among these men, versus 47.4% in 2009, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. **** ** ** In the ****Columbia**** study, researchers offered these men the OraQuick test in their office and then interviewed them about their attitudes toward using it. Most?over 80% of the men?said they would use the kit to test sexual partners or themselves if it became available over the counter. **** ** ** But there was little agreement on how to broach the subject with a partner, how to handle an unexpected positive result, or deal with other situations. ?The most surprising thing was how people would use it,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez, ?Some people said they would use it with casual partners, others said they would want there to be familiarity, and would use it only with their main partner.?**** ** ** The study, published in the Journal of Sex Research, included remarks and explanations from the test subjects, identified only by age and ethnicity. * *** ** ** Asked how they would bring up the topic of taking the test, some said they would be blunt and direct. The study quoted a Latino man, age 25, as planning to say, ?Well, I'm interested in sexual health, well-being; would you mind taking this, you know, with me?? Another said he would use persuasion, talking up the uniqueness of the test and ?how great it is.? Others said they would make the test a condition of forgoing condom use or as a sign that a relationship had moved to steady from casual status.**** ** ** Most saw a common problem in using the test with casual partners in spontaneous situations. ?To wait 20 minutes to see what would happen would put the brakes on whatever crescendo you're having,? said a 40-year-old white man. ?It's a buzz killer.? **** ** ** A more serious concern, one raised by the test's opponents, is how users would react to a positive test. ?There's a lot of potential opposition and clinics might not be crazy about direct access in a private setting with no personnel with them if they get a positive result,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez.**** ** ** OraSure's Mr. Michels said he had heard those concerns, but felt they were not an obstacle.**** ** ** "Those objections have been raised and discussed, there has been an opportunity for public comment, but there is broad support for this test." * *** ** ** Mr. Frasca added, ?There has been a progressive loosening of restrictions on HIV testing,? and that many people feel the FDA will approve the application. **** ** ** In announcing its latest FDA submission, OraSure cited federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics on the need to expand testing. There are approximately 1.2 million people in the ****U.S.**** who have HIV and about 240,000 are unaware of their status, according to the company.**** ** ** Meanwhile, the test subjects had different ideas on the best strategy for dealing with a positive test. Some said they would offer deep sympathy and ask how to help. A minority said they'd be out the door. ?Man, got to go,? said a 21-year-old black man describing his likely reaction. **** ** ** The researchers are now following up with a second study in which they have distributed tests for home use and will later ask subjects to report on their experiences using them. So far they have not studied the heterosexual population, but said it could have widespread use. They could even see a scenario?remote?in which a person could test a partner surreptitiously. ?It's come up; I guess you could swab someone when they were sleeping, but it would very difficult,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez. **** ** ** *5* SAfrica recalls 1.35 million condoms handed out during ANC celebrations over claims of flaws **** Associated Press**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** *Story widely covered by global media channels* ** ** ****JOHANNESBURG**** ? Some condoms burst. Others leaked like sieves. ****South Africa****?s leading anti-AIDS group said Tuesday that allegedly faulty condoms are among more than 1.35 million handed out at the African National Congress? 100th birthday party.**** ** ** Health officials confirmed that all of those condoms have been ordered to be recalled. But the Treatment Action Campaign said no warning has been issued to people that they may have carried away defective condoms that could now cause them to unsuspectingly spread or contract HIV. ****South Africa**** has the world?s highest number of AIDS patients, some 5.6 million.**** ** ** The third recall in less than five years raises questions about the quality of some of the 425 million-plus condoms that the government gives away each year, and the competence of the South African Bureau of Standards that is supposed to ensure their quality is up to international standards.**** ** ** AIDS activist Sello Mokhalipi of the Treatment Action Campaign said he complained to the health department after ?we had people flocking in, coming to report that the condoms had burst while they were having sex.?**** ** ** Some were panicking because they were infected with AIDS and were concerned for their partners, he said.**** ** ** Spokesman Jabu Mbalula of the ****Free State**** provincial health department, which distributed the condoms before the Jan. 6-8 celebrations, said they had recalled the entire batch of 1.35 million condoms around Jan. 18. He said there was no need for a panic.**** ** ** But he was unable to say how many of the condoms were used or have been recovered.**** ** ** In 2007, the government recalled more than 20 million defective condoms manufactured locally but recovered only 12 million. The Health Ministry said many of the condoms failed the air burst test.**** ** ** That came after a recall the same year of 5 million defective and locally produced condoms. In that case, the Ministry of Health said a testing manager at the South African Bureau of Standards had taken a bribe to certify the faulty contraceptives.**** ** ** AIDS activist Mokhalipi said the latest recall was limited to health workers going to the ****Bloemfontein**** hotels, guesthouses and bars where they had deposited the condoms and reclaiming any that remained.**** ** ** He complained that the health department had not issued countrywide warnings to alert people not to use condoms distributed during the celebrations that drew tens of thousands of people.**** ** ** ?People came from all over and probably took many away with them, so those condoms are now all over the country,? he said.**** ** ** Those who had used condoms that allegedly had burst should be told to get post-exposure tests and treatment, he said.**** ** ** ?We want the department to go out and tell people about these faulty condoms,? Mokhalipi said. ?How can they say people should not panic if there are still clearly people out there in possession of these condoms.?*** * ** ** The scandal comes just a week after the Journal of the Royal Society Interface published a new study indicating increased condom use accounted for the vast majority of the decline in HIV infections in ****South Africa** ** between 2000 and 2008. Epidemiologist Leigh F. Johnson and colleagues at the ****University** of **Cape Town**** found that increased condom use accounted for more than 70 percent of the decline.**** ** ** Mokhalipi said people started coming with complaints about the condoms on Jan. 11 ? three days after the celebrations ended ? prompting his office to run some tests.**** ** ** ?We poured water into the condoms and they were leaking, not just in one place, they were leaking like a sieve,? he said. Looking at them, ?you can see there are small pores? like pinpricks.**** ** ** He said the health department had distributed a new batch of condoms last week, which did not leak under the water test.**** ** ** Health department spokesman Mbalula said pouring water into a condom and applying pressure was not a proper test, though Mokhalipi denied applying pressure.**** ** ** Mbalula said his department recalled the contraceptives to conduct scientific tests. He did not know when results would be available.**** ** ** An organization that has a lot of experience with condoms, the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, said many of the 10,000 to 15,000 prostitutes they work with often complain about the free government condoms. The Taskforce said they instead use a brand provided by an international charity.**** ** ** ?The CHOICE condoms that the government is distributing are very unsatisfactory and we have a lot of complaints about condoms breaking,? said Maria Stacey, SWEAT?s outreach and development manager.**** ** ** ****South Africa****?s government sources its condoms from several companies and rebrands them with its colorful CHOICE packaging, in bright blue, red, yellow and green.**** ** ** Mbalula noted that all the condoms distributed in ****Bloemfontein**** were stamped to indicate that they were in batches that had been quality tested by the Bureau of Standards. Bureau spokeswoman Verna Schutte would only confirm that they were investigating the condoms.**** ** ** Neither she nor the health spokesman could say which country or company had manufactured the condoms.**** Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair **** UNAIDS**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Speaking at the 11th General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on 30 January, Madame Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of Namibia, identified the prevention of new HIV infections among children as a key objective for her new term as President of OAFLA.*** * ** ** Madame Pohamba noted that in most African countries, lack of male involvement in sexual and reproductive health programmes is a challenge. She urged her fellow First Ladies to launch a continent-wide campaign to encourage the participation of male partners in efforts to stop new HIV infections in children.**** ** ** ?Let us conduct this campaign under the theme, An HIV-free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today,? said the Namibian First Lady. ?I believe that zero HIV infections among new born babies is an achievable goal,? she added.**** ** ** Mrs Ban Soon-taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary-General, highlighted in her remarks the growing momentum and support for the goal of an HIV-free generation. ?Around the world, in developing and developed countries, in the North and in the South, in the streets of communities and the halls of governments, people know that no child should be born with HIV,? said Mrs Ban.**** ** ** According to the latest data from UNAIDS, WHO and UNICEF, there has been considerable progress over the past decade in reducing new HIV infections among children in sub-Saharan **Africa**. An estimated 350 000 children were newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan **Africa** in 2010 compared to about 500 000 children in 2001?a 30% reduction. An estimated 230 000 children died from AIDS-related causes in 2010, down from about 320 000 in 2005.**** ** ** In his keynote address at the OAFLA General Assembly, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidib? applauded the First Ladies for their collective action in the HIV response across the continent. He said that through the strong leadership and advocacy of OAFLA members, 12 of 22 high burden countries in **Africa** had launched accelerated national plans to stop HIV transmission from mother to child. ?The results of your efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of women, youth and children across **Africa**,? said Mr Sidib?.**** ** ** Expressing concern over **Africa**?s dependency on external aid, the UNAIDS Executive Director requested the support of OAFLA members in mobilizing funding from local sources for HIV prevention, treatment and care. ?Working with leaders of your countries, we need to focus all efforts on the issue of sustainable funding for the AIDS response. We must advocate for new partnerships with the private sector,? said Mr Sidib?.**** ** ** According to a new UNAIDS issues brief ? ?AIDS dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions??an estimated two-thirds of AIDS expenditures in **Africa* * come from international funding sources. The vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in **Africa** are imported from generic manufacturers.**** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/b6b53f24/attachment-0002.html From creata at hmu.edu.vn Wed Feb 1 03:37:11 2012 From: creata at hmu.edu.vn (=?UTF-8?B?SElWL0FJRFMgVFQgTkMgJiDEkFQ=?=) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:37:11 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] =?utf-8?b?VGjGsCBt4budaSB0aGFtIGdpYSBraMOzYSBo4buN?= =?utf-8?b?YzogIlRp4bq/cCBj4bqtbiBuZ2hpw6puIGPhu6l1IMSR4buLbmggdMOt?= =?utf-8?b?bmggduG7gSBISVYvQUlEUyI=?= Message-ID: K?nh m?i tham d? kh?a h?c Trung t?m nghi?n c?u v? ??o t?o HIV/AIDS, ??i h?c Y H? N?i k?t h?p v?i Vi?n Gia ??nh v? Gi?i v? ??i h?c Columbia (Hoa K?) t? ch?c kh?a h?c: *"Ti?p c?n nghi?n c?u ??nh t?nh v? HIV/AIDS"* - Th?i gian: *30/3 - 08/4/2012* - ??a ?i?m: *H? N?i.* Chi ti?t v? m?c ti?u kh?a h?c, ti?u ch? ch?n h?c vi?n v? ch??ng tr?nh h?c, c?c anh/ch? xem trong file ??nh k?m. H?n cu?i ?? nh?n h? s? ??ng k? l? tr??c *17 gi?, 29/02/2012.* *H? s? ??ng k? v? th?c m?c anh/ch? g?i theo ??a ch? email: creata at hmu.edu.vn * R?t mong anh/ch? chuy?n ti?p email n?y t?i b?n b? v? ??ng nghi?p c?a m?nh. Xin ch?n th?nh c?m ?n! Thay m?t ban t? ch?c kh?a h?c. An Thanh Ly * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * *Center for Research and Training on HIV/AIDS - CREATA* * * Add: Room 522, Block A1, Hanoi Medical University, No 1 Ton That Tung, Dong Da Dist. Hanoi, Vietnam Office Phone: +84 4 357 41 596 Email: creata at hmu.edu.vn -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0002.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Application form.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 711118 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0002.bin -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Annoucement.doc Type: application/msword Size: 741888 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0002.doc From nthuan at vn.rti.org Thu Feb 2 03:58:43 2012 From: nthuan at vn.rti.org (Thuan Nguyen) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:58:43 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Jobs at RTI Message-ID: <005101cce15e$f78b78f0$e6a26ad0$@vn.rti.org> Dear all, This is the advertisement. RTI is looking for Vietnam Nationals to fill in the following positions 1. Finance and Admin Manager- Hanoi Responsibilities include managing all financial and administrative aspects of the project and ensure compliance with RTI, USG and Vietnamese financial and accounting policies and procedures. Applicants must have at least 6-8 years' experience working in finance and administration for USAID-funded projects including prior experience overseeing finance, grants, and administration activities and personnel; University Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field required. 2. Grant officer- Ho Chi Minh City Responsibilities include overseeing grants management process & subcontracts for local organizations, including grant compliance with USAID regulations, oversight of funding obligations, administrative management, grant applications and selection processes, development of grants manuals, eligibility requirements, and technical review committees. Applicants must have University Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field and at least 3 years' experience (or Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of relevant experience) in financial and administrative management for USAID-funded projects; proven track record of overseeing effective grants/subcontracts management to achieve project objectives is required. 3. Finance & Administration Assistant - Ho Chi Minh City Responsibilities include assistance the office and project operation in southern provinces and report to the Office Manager in Hanoi. Applicants must have at least university degree or equivalent and 2 years of experience managing accounting files for a donor-funded project. Qualified applicants should submit a resume and an expression of interest indicating the position applied for. All applications and enquires for job descriptions must be in English and sent by email to nthuan at vn.rti.org. The deadline for applications is Feb 13 2012 . Only short listed applicants will be contacted. For detailed job description, please write email to anhongnhung at yahoo.com Please visit our website at www.rti.org/globalhealth for more information on our work in global health -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/70fb665e/attachment-0002.html From Mai.VU at unodc.org Thu Feb 2 06:40:18 2012 From: Mai.VU at unodc.org (Mai VU) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:40:18 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fw: UNODC consultancy announcement: Consultants for PAF project in Dien Bien Message-ID: FYI and circulation! ________________________________ Vu Le Mai (Ms.) Programme Assistant (Finance & Administration) HIV Programme United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: (+84-4) 3938.8437 Ext. 24 Fax: (+84-4) 3822.0854/38224931 Mobile: (+84)912.508.917 Email: mai.vu at unodc.org ________________________________ ----- Forwarded by Mai VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO on 02/02/2012 01:37 PM ----- FO Vietnam/UNODC-VN/ VIENNA/UNO To Sent by: Nguyen registry.vn at undp.org, Anh unido at un.org.vn, TRA/UNODC-VN/VIEN unfpa-fo at unfpa.org.vn, NA/UNO FAO-VNM at fao.org, vuanhson at hotmail.com, hanoi.registry at unicef.org, Thursday, 2 unaidsvietnam at unaids.org.vn, February 2012 who at vtn.wpro.who.int, 13:25 registry at unesco.org.vn, hanoi at ilohn.org.vn, vnguyen at imf.org, adbvrm at adb.org, nguyen.quang at undp.org, hanoi at iom.int, huyen.nguyen at unifem.org cc Zhuldyz AKISHEVA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Nguyen Tuong DUNG/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Christopher BATT/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Roger BRITTON/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Nguyen Anh TRA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Duong Hai NHU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thanh HUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Phuong LIEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Mai VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Daria HAGEMANN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Mai PHUONG/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Dieu HUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thanh TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Van TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Long NGUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Kodo HAMADOU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Ha TA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Hong HAI/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Hai LE/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Phuong NGUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Van DO/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thu VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Ha LE/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Trang TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Maximilian POTTLER/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV Subject UNODC consultancy announcement: Consultants for PAF project in Dien Bien Message from UNODC Viet Nam Dear colleagues and friends, For your information, the advertisement for the following national consultants has been posted on UN Viet Nam website: National consultants to conduct studies on existing current social protection provision for PLHA in Dien Bien province and to document successful stigma and discrimination reduction initiatives. ? Contract type: Individual Contract ? Submission deadline: 9 February 2012 Attached are the TOR and Vacancy announcement. You can also visit?the job site http://www.un.org.vn/en/un-jobs.html for details of Terms of Reference and application procedures. (See attached file: TOR National consulant - PAF.pdf)(See attached file: Annoucement. mapping consultant.doc) We would appreciate your help in circulating the vacancy announcement to possible applicants. ?Thank you for your kind attention. ?UNODC Vietnam Country Office -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0002.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: Annoucement. mapping consultant.doc Type: application/msword Size: 608256 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0002.doc From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Fri Feb 3 02:19:44 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:19:44 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (2012.02.02ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103790@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103790@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. The Standard, ****Kenya** - UN wants **Africa** to manufacture its own ARVs**** ** ** *****AFRICA****** AND MIDDLE EAST * 1. **Angola** Press - **Angola**, sub-Saharan **Africa** urged to reduce HIV cases **** 2. ****Zambia**** Daily - NGO hails State?s pledge to AIDS patients **** 3. ****Informant?**, **Namibia**** - Legalize prostitution to combat AIDS: ?Mama Africa? **** 4. ****Liberia**** Observer - The Burden of Care on An HIV Mother **** ** ** *****ASIA****** AND PACIFIC* 1. Dawn, ****Pakistan**** - ?We know it?s wrong, but we don?t want to quit?* *** 2. Phuket News - Phuket to launch anti-AIDS campaign on Valentine's Day **** 3. **New Zealand** - One-fifth of gay ****Auckland**** men with HIV unaware they are infected **** ** ** *****EUROPE******* 1. The Guardian - What does the second decade hold for the Global Fund? **** 2. The Guardian - GSK's Andrew Witty on the future of pharma collaboration to help poor countries **** 3. Global Voices - ****Ukraine****: Online Interactive Map Helps Fight HIV** ** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. El Imparcial, Mexico - Realizan pruebas de sida y s?filis de manera gratuita **** 2. Diario del Ot?n, Colombia - Sida afecta a menores de edad**** 3. ABC Digital, Paraguay - Importancia de los controles prenatales **** ** ** *****NORTH AMERICA******* 1. New York Times - Why the Global Fund Matters (OpEd) **** ** ** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** UN wants **Africa** to manufacture its own ARVs **** The Standard, ****Kenya******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Mangoa Mosota**** ** ** The UN has warned against the high dependency by African countries on external sources for HIV and Aids funding.**** ** ** The organisation?s agency mandated to tackle the disease, UNAids, described the continent?s over-reliance on donor aid as unsustainable.**** ** ** "African governments invest less on HIV/Aids than expected. For the continent as a whole, about five per cent of health budgets are allocated to the scourge, despite its causing a median of more than seven per cent of the overall burden of disease across countries," stated part of a brief posted on the agency?s website early this week.**** ** ** The brief, titled Aids Dependency Crisis: Sourcing African Solutions, reveals that two-thirds of all HIV and Aids expenditure in Africa comes from external sources.**** ** ** International support for the disease in the continent dropped by 13 per cent between 2009 and 2010 from $8.7 billion to $7.6 billion (Sh667 billion to Sh583 billion).**** ** ** The cut in funding, the first time in its ten-year history, was attributed to the global economic crisis. About Sh900 billion will be needed annually by 2015 to prevent new HIV infections and scale up treatment in Africa. Additionally, Sh307 billion more than the current expenditure is needed to effectively fight the disease.**** ** ** The agency also noted that procurement of anti-retroviral drugs was highly dependent on external funding. In 27 countries for which accurate data was available, 84 per cent of expenditure for ARV therapy originated from international sources.**** ** ** Disease burden**** In Kenya, where it is estimated that 1.5 million people are infected with HIV, development partners support 85 per cent of the HIV budget. Over 400,000 people are receiving ARVs while another 600,000 require the drugs but cannot access them.**** ** ** Among the measures mooted by UNAids to help reduce over-dependence on donor support is development of a common drug regulatory authority that would ensure access to quality, life-saving medicines.**** ** ** "Investing in local manufacturing and simplifying market access to drugs across the continent will boost the economy, reduce costs and ultimately save lives and money," reads part of the brief.**** ** ** Late last year, a Kenyan pharmaceutical company was given the go-ahead by the World Health Organisation to start producing ARV drugs ? a move that would lead to huge savings for the Government?s growing treatment programme. **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** **Angola**, sub-Saharan **Africa** urged to reduce HIV cases **** ****Angola**** Press**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Luanda - The Angolan Health Vice-minister, Evelize Frestas, defended on Wednesday in Luanda the need for Angola and sub-Saharan to continue making efforts to reduce the cases of HIV/AIDS infections, and thus slow down the death rate caused by this pandemic disease.**** **** Evelize Frestas said so during a workshop on the initiative to eliminate the new HIV infections in children.**** **** According to her, the vision by the Health Ministry aims to achieve zero new infections, combat discrimination and prevent deaths caused by this disease, thus ensuring the control and reduction of the infection within several communities.**** **** The official defended the need of focusing on prevention of early pregnancies, through greater access of teenagers to information and education campaign, such as the access to the services linked to family planning, HIV/AIDS voluntary testing and counselling.**** **** However, the minister called for the need of reviewing and updating the strategy to prevent the disease countrywide.**** **** According to Evelize Frestas, this goal requires a deep involvement of the National Health Service throughout the country, reason why all provincial health departments are committed to holding workshops.**** **** The vice minister stated that the strategic plan to combat AIDS fits all interventions in this area, whose the main challenge of the workshop is to draft the national plan for elimination of the new HIV infections in children by 2015.**** ** ** *2* NGO hails State?s pledge to AIDS patients **** ****Zambia**** Daily**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** By NIZA NAMWINGA**** ** ** THE Treatment, Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) has commended Government for expressing willingness to address challenges that may arise as a result of the one year suspension of the global fund.**** ** ** TALC national coordinator Felix Mwanza said his organisation is pleased with Government?s quick response to the challenge following the suspension of the global fund for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. **** ** ** ?We are happy that Government through the Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde has pledged to source funds for HIV, TB and malaria treatment in the country,? Mr Mwanza said. **** ** ** Mr Mwanza also said there is need for Government to assist hospices and health facilities such as Kara Clinic with funds for the HIV and AIDS response because the non availability of funds has affected their service delivery. **** ** ** He said due to the suspension of the global fund, Kara Clinic has shut down its centres in Kabwe, Chilanga and Choma.**** He said the Ministry of Health should quickly source funds to revamp operations of the clinic.**** Mr Mwanza said Zambia has recently seen a reduction in the HIV and AIDS prevalence rate as infections have gone down because patients were receiving treatment from clinics like Kara.**** ** ** He said the closure of Kara Clinic and others dealing with HIV and AIDS related illnesses may result in the recurrence of high infection levels. * *** Mr Mwanza said Government should quickly look into the plight of people living with HIV and AIDS and ensure that they easily access treatment even in the absence of the global fund. **** ** ** He appealed to the Ministry of Health to re-open all health facilities offering antiretroviral therapy that have been closed and render ensure that those threatened with closures are not closed but continue providing treatment to people living with HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** *3* Legalize prostitution to combat AIDS: ?Mama Africa? **** ****Informant?**, **Namibia******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by Clemans Miyanicwe **** ** ** The Director of Namibia?s largest sex-workers? organization, Rights not Rescue, has called upon the government to decriminalize prostitution as an important step in the fight against HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** Nicodemus Aochumub, better known as ?Mama Africa?, told Informant?: **** ** ** ?Government should decriminalize sex-work to make it easier for the industry to get access to universal health care and to enable them to lay charges with the police without the fear of being arrested. Discriminating against prostitutes will inevitably increase the HIV rate because they are helplessly exposed to abuse, even by police. We must unite in the fight against AIDS.? Mama Africa, who has been in the industry for 32 years, knows of numerous instances where police humiliated and maltreated prostitutes.**** ** ** ?How can we fight this deadly disease when law-enforcement officers take away condoms from the girls (prostitutes)? They throw them away and tell us we don?t deserve to use condoms. Some police officers force us into sex, otherwise we will end up in jail,? the Director revealed.**** ** ** Prostitutes are regularly cracked down on by law-enforcers under the Combating of Immoral Practices Act. ?This act is an apartheid law and must be abolished in an independent country. We (prostitutes) are not free even 21 years after independence. Prostitution is work and feeds many families,? emphasized Mama Africa.**** Rights not Rescue has more than 1,000 members in all 13 regions of the country. The organization educates prostitutes on HIV and AIDS and also hands out condoms. **** ** ** ?We are trying our best to protect them and their health. One thing is for sure: Decriminalizing prostitution would make a great deal in the fight against this disease,? Mama Africa is convinced. **** ?We (prostitutes) will throw our support behind those few more realistic and open-minded people like Kazenambo Kazenambo, whose only crime is to respect human rights,? he added. **** ** ** The Youth Minister came under fire from high ranking SWAPO politicians for speaking out in favour of the legalization of prostitution. According to Mama Africa, many of their clients are high-ranking and influential members of society, yet Namibian society lives in denial and turns a blind eye one the plight of sex workers.**** HIV infection among sex-workers has declined significantly in countries where prostitution is legalised. Prostitutes in Germany, for instance, are registered with the legal and health authorities, are required to undergo regular medical checks and pay tax.**** (Clemans Miyanicwe is a community reporter)**** ** ** *5* The Burden of Care on An HIV Mother **** ****Liberia**** Observer**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by by Fatoumata Fofana**** ** ** Scores of HIV-infected women who are in care at various health facilities in Liberia have called for a need to create an avenue for them to be self-employed. These women ? predominantly single moms ? have blamed stigma and discrimination for their limited or no access to livelihoods. ?In the end, we turned into beggars because of our status,? they have said. **** ** ** During a tour of three key health centers in the country last week by a high level delegation from UNITAID, the women did not mince their words emphasizing a need for them to be empowered economically. UNITAID is an international drug purchasing facility hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, who also serves as United Nations Under Secretary General for Innovative Financing, chairs it.**** ** ** A 25-year-old HIV-positive mother in care at a health facility in Monrovia told her story in these words: ?Some of my friends who have HIV are feeling ashamed to come to the hospital for medicines. For me, I make it a duty to come here every day to get my medicines, rice, beans, fish, oil, cubes.**** ** ** ?But that is not enough. My husband and I separated some years ago. He, too, is positive but our four children are negative. So, this left me with the burden to take care of the children on my own. The children need clothes, medicines and need to go to school. This hospital is not providing all of that for me. I only get food and my own medicines from here.?**** ** ** As a result, Helena resorted to doing laundry for various households in her neighborhood, in order to make the extra cash to meet other needs. But the stress in this activity is what is physically, psychologically and emotionally draining for this young woman. The above quote only reemphasizes the fact that the physical and psychological burden of HIV/AIDS falls heavily on women. This also has the propensity to persistently undermine the resilience of these positive women to the consequences of HIV/AIDS, and make adherence to treatment especially difficult.**** ** ** Helena explained that in carrying out her laundry duties, she first goes around the neighborhood to fetch eight buckets of water by hand before beginning to wash the clothes, bed sheets and other fabrics. She does this per household and is able to serve at least two homes per day.**** ** ** This young woman, like many HIV-positive mothers in Liberia, is compelled to cope with life this way. Regardless of their own ill health, they still need to care for and manage their individual households.**** ** ** This condition is, however, not unique to Helena. Beatrice is another HIV positive mother faced with harsh economic conditions. This 38-year-old mother of three children is one of the volunteers helping to retain her fellow HIV positive mothers in care at a local health facility in Monrovia. Although Beatrice doesn't seem deterred by her positive status, she is being heavily demoralized by her limited access to income-generation. All she desires is to have some funds to begin her own petty business in her neighborhood.**** ** ** ?I have been coming to this clinic to help to encourage my sisters and friends to remain in care. Some of us are very ashamed to come here. Others are rather afraid to come for treatment because there are fingers being pointed at them everyday. So, for them, they always want to remain in hiding. But those of us who have the courage to put the stigma and discrimination behind us also have to face another aspect of life and that has to do with being able to make ?small thing? (meager income) to feed our families and send our children to school,? she explained.**** ** ** Seybah is the president of HIV patients at a health center in Bong County. Though she acknowledged that HIV patients at that facility were being properly taken care of, she was quick to outline what she described as their urgent needs in these words: ?We get the drugs and we are responding to treatment. But the majority of us here are single mothers. We need money to do business.**** ** ** ?We need to educate our children ? the only gift we can give to them. We, ourselves, need to go back to school. Some of us are high school dropouts. We want our counselors, doctors to be properly trained to work with better. The ones here are not encouraging us. As a result, there are fingers being pointed at us in the communities. We need shelter because we are staying with family members who are discriminating against us.?**** ** ** But Lovetta Warner, another HIV positive mother, sees it all differently. In her testimony, she explained: ?I am the former president of the Liberian Women Empowerment Network (LIWEN). I was diagnosed positive in 2002. I am 57. I don't live with HIV. HIV lives with me. I control HIV. To cope with HIV is to sustain yourself, do something with your hands to be able to feed yourself. Like me, I have worked with my hands, sent my crouches abroad and through that, I have been able to build a house for myself.**** ** ** ?I have my own home. Being HIV positive is not the end of the world. It is not a death sentence. To hell with stigma and discrimination if I can sustain myself. Nobody can really know how they get infected with this virus. I was massively raped during the war. I have a daughter that I had before I got diagnosed. But she's negative. I have a friend to whom I will soon be getting married. He's negative. We manage it beautifully. We use condom and we have beautiful sex. But I am not a lover of female condoms. I rather he use it. He loves me a whole lot.?**** ** ** Not every HIV positive mother might be as lucky as Lovetta to withstand the test of time. The fact that she has the support of her significant other keeps her emotionally strong and going. But not in the case of Helena who was left to fend for herself and her four children. Definitely not in the case of Dorcas Johnson, a widow, left to fend for eight children and herself.**** ** ** Certainly without resources, economic empowerment, these women are vulnerable to abuses in every imaginable way. On the other side of the coin, there is also stigma and discrimination against in their communities of residence. As stated above by Seybah, those HIV mothers who cannot afford to rent their own dwelling places are compelled to endure constant stigma and discrimination from close relatives and other family members with whom these positive mothers reside. This degree of insecurity ? the threat of homelessness and destitution ? leaves women with few options. An ultimate survival strategy for many HIV positive women, especially younger ones, can be to turn to men for sex in order to buy school clothes or food for their children.**** ** ** Difficulties In Diagnosing Infants for HIV**** Meanwhile, health workers throughout the week reminded the visiting UNITAID delegation of the need to have a Polymers Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic machine in Liberia. The PCR diagnostic machine is used to diagnose infants infected with HIV. Also, Liberian medical practitioners made a call for more easy-to-use Cd4 count machines at different health centers around the country for easy assessment of HIV immunological status to the UNITAID delegation. Cd4 or Viral Load is another machine that looks at the number of virus in the blood, it is a complicated machine that is very expensive to run and is used to see if patients are failing their treatment. Many African patients still need to have access to this, and the test is not covered by the health service (Kenya and Cameroon for example).**** ** ** Detecting HIV in infants remains a major challenge in Liberia. Children born to HIV infected mothers cannot be diagnosed in the same way as older children and adults dues to the mothers' antibodies in the blood. As a result, for early infant diagnosis in this contemporary context, blood samples collected by the various health facilities across the country are shipped through the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), to South Africa for testing. Unfortunately it takes between two to three months for the results to be received. This extensive time lapse places the patients with the disease, especially infants where it is important to start treatment as early as possible, at further risk of a worsened situation or even death. PCR testing requires a good laboratory set up, expensive diagnosis machines and good access to reagents.**** ** ** With funds raised from a small tax on plane tickets in a handful of countries, including France along with regular contributions from other countries, UNITAID has been able to raise 2.5 billion of dollars to finance health commodities for the treatment of HIV TB and malaria. The organization supports public health outcomes in resource-limited settings, post-war settings and emerging economies. Tens of millions more have been spent in other countries with horrible outcomes, especially in terms of governance. Since 2007, UNITAID has operated in Liberia through UNICEF, WHO, the Clinton Foundation and the Global Fund to help improve the health needs of Liberians living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.**** ** ** *In a brief interview with the Daily Observer, UNITAID Chair Douste-Blazy disclosed that the next step for his organization in Liberia would be to invest in projects to improve diagnostics. ?We can better treat a patient if we can know how many viruses there are in the blood,? he said.* ** ** *6* HIV tests not mandatory on entry for any nationality? **** ****Jordan**** Times**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** by Khetam Malkawi**** ** ** AMMAN ? Libyans entering the country will not have to undergo mandatory HIV/AIDS testing as ?we cannot make a distinction between holders of different nationalities in health policies?, a Ministry of Health official said on Wednesday.**** ** ** Mohammad Abdallat, director of the ministry?s communicable diseases control (CDC) department, said citizens of various countries entering the Kingdom are treated in accordance with the same policy and undergo screening for communicable diseases only ?if they need a work permit or plan to undergo a surgical procedure?.**** ** ** Since the beginning of the year, the ministry has registered nine HIV/AIDS cases, 10 hepatitis B and six hepatitis C cases among non-Jordanians, he noted.**** ** ** ?Jordan is a medical hub for the countries of the region, and the number of patients seeking treatment in local hospitals is on the rise due to the unrest in some states,? Abdallat explained.**** ** ** He noted that the number of HIV and hepatitis cases discovered so far is not high compared to the influx of patients into the country.**** ** ** Currently there are more than 15,000 Libyans in the country?s hospitals and any patient diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will be deported, according to the health ministry official.**** ** ** ?We send them back to receive treatment in their country because of the high cost of medication, which amounts to JD400 a month,? he explained.**** ** ** The ministry has sent a circular to all hospitals requesting them to follow infection control measures and to inform the CDC when they discover any HIV or hepatitis case among patients, according to Abdallat.**** ** ** Although he was reluctant to comment on the number of HIV/AIDS cases detected among Libyan patients, a ministry source told The Jordan Times last week that five cases had been discovered among Libyan nationals, who were subsequently deported.**** ** ** Meanwhile, Awni Bashir, president of the Private Hospitals Association said the number of Libyan patients is on the rise and still not regulated.**** ** ** Noting that hundreds of Libyans arrive in Amman on a daily basis, he added that they come to the Kingdom for different medical purposes including plastic surgery and dental procedures.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** ?We know it?s wrong, but we don?t want to quit?**** Dawn, ****Pakistan******** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Faiza Mirza**** ** ** Raju, a 25-year-old boy from Quetta, migrated to Karachi to look for sustainable livelihood and better income prospects. Just like several other ?immigrants?, he picks garbage from various parts of Karachi. His life, however, took a devastating turn when he realised that the income prospects in Karachi are as bleak as in Quetta. Raju, who thought it wise to seek refuge in drugs, started injecting himself with heroin to drown his sorrows. **** ** ** Raju?s unidentified partner in crime was in another zone whilst injecting himself with a good dose of heroin.**** ** ** ?We know it is wrong but we do not want to quit. We use clean syringes and do not exchange them because we know it can cause Aids,? said Raju, rather incoherently, during one of his lucid moments.**** ** ** With a majority of its population living under the lower-income strata, Pakistan finds itself among the countries with an increasing number of HIV patients. Approximately 70 per cent of the total population resides in the rural areas, since agriculture remains the main source of income for many. Migratory practises and poverty have given rise to a number of diseases including Hepatitis and HIV/Aids.**** ** ** Over the last few years, HIV Aids cases have drastically increased in Pakistan, primarily amongst the injecting drug users (IDUs). Sindh and Punjab are the most affected regions because of their respective over-populated structure.**** ** ** Concentrated epidemic**** According to Dr Asma Nasim of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT) ? an expert in the area of infectious diseases ? Aids has become a ?concentrated epidemic? in Pakistan, with more than five per cent of the most-at-risk population (MARP) being infected. MARP includes all the commercial sex workers, including transvestites, IDUs and people who indulge in sexual activities with commercial sex workers. The spouses of MARPs are also under a massive threat of getting infected.**** ** ** ?Unofficial figures released by various authorities show that HIV/Aids has affected 27 per cent of the IDUS in Pakistan, as opposed to 16 per cent in the last year, which is alarmingly high. Considering the ratio of increase, it will be wise to say that the general population of Pakistan is also at risk of getting infected? Asma told Dawn.com.**** ** ** Lack of awareness, remains one of the most critical issues which, has played a pivotal role in spreading HIV/Aids.**** ** ** ?Most of the drug addicts are not unaware that the syringe being exchanged and used by 10 junkies, can cause HIV/Aids. The rest are not exactly bothered about the repercussions,? she added.**** ** ** Aids control campaigns**** Various not-for-profit and governmental organisations are trying to create awareness and curtail the spread of the disease. UNAids, Sindh Aids Control Programme and National Aids Control Programme are a few names that top the list.**** ** ** The doctors at SIUT pick IDUs and bring them to the hospital where they are tested for HIV/Aids.**** ** ** ?A CB4 cell-count test is conducted on each one of them and if the cut-off is less than 350, the IDUs are provided with a combination of zidovudine, lamivudine and nevaripine, amongst other drugs,? Asma said, adding that ?HIV/Aids patients are required to take these medicines for life?**** ** ** Success of the campaign relies on the detoxification of the addict and his/her conviction to stay away from unsafe practises which might transmit the disease.**** ** ** Rehabilitation and awareness are key to recovery, according to Dr Muhammad Zakria Kandhro ? President of Al-Nijat Welfare society ? an organisation dedicated to creating awareness about the disease. ?It is very important to detoxify the IDUs and get them used to the concept of taking medicines. They are provided with mock drugs and rehabilitated for three to six months.?**** ** ** Keeping the IDUs off the drugs can be very tricky, according to Kathleen Alexander, who is the Project Manager at the House of Hope. This, she said, is due to a low success rate, which can even come down to five per cent. Most of the IDUs relapse due to social alienation, poverty and domestic issues.**** ** ** The stigma **** Female carriers have the capacity to spread the infection at a rapid rate as the ratio of female sex workers is higher than male and transvestite sex workers in Pakistan. Female patients have a low registration rate as they are more stigmatised, due to their gender and societal norms.**** ** ** Female IDUs also live in the oblivion because the society is willing to accept a male addict but females are forbidden to reveal their fondness for ?acquired tastes.?**** ** ** ?The ratio of registered male population is higher than the female population. We have launched various awareness campaigns, which have helped bring the figures down and our Hyderabad centre is housing 250 female patients. Karachi also has a database of 50-55 female patients,? Kandhro said.**** ** ** Moreover, HIV-positive patients are also stigmatised for the ?epidemic? that they carry and are not admitted in the renowned state-owned hospitals.* *** ** ** An IDU perspective**** Ilahi Bux, a rehabilitated drug addict, is a 25-year-old boy who fell into the vicious trap of heroin. According to him poverty, domestic problems and many other economic factors enticed him to become an addict. However, he blatantly claims that back then we were not aware of the hazards of exchanging the same syringe.**** ** ** Nadeem John, another rehabilitated addict, said, ?I stopped taking heroin a year ago however was an addict for over 15 years. I have committed crimes and done every possible thing to satisfy my ?cravings?. We did not really care about HIV/Aids back then but now we do because government and organisations are putting in a lot of effort to highlight the issue.?**** ** ** Bleak future**** Global recessionary pressures and Pakistan?s stance on fight on terrorism, coupled with various other factors, have impacted the amount of donations that the international agencies previously granted Pakistan.**** ** ** ?Previously we were able to accommodate more IDUs, launch massive awareness drives and reach out to the general population because we had abundant funds. However, now we can only manage to induct 15 IDUs and HIV/Aids patients because the funding is almost nonexistent? said Alexander.**** ** ** Alexander is very pessimistic about the future of rehabilitated IDUs in Pakistan as many of the projects are closing down in the country.**** ** ** *2* Phuket to launch anti-AIDS campaign on Valentine's Day **** Phuket News**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Atchaa Khamlo and S. Fein**** ** ** PHUKET: Public health officials will launch a ?Getting to Zero AIDS? campaign on Valentine's Day to combat HIV/AIDS in Phuket, which has the highest incidence of HIV infection in Thailand, according to government statistics.**** ** ** The campaign will kick-off with a festival on February 14 at Phuket Rajabhat University, said Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) chief Sak Tanchaikul.**** ** ** There will be AIDS prevention exhibits, a student stage performance about high-risk behavior, and a debate and lecture by medical experts, said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** To draw in as many people as possible, famous singers Bew Kalayanee and Jeab Benjaporn are slated to perform at the event.**** ** ** ?The fact that Phuket has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS of any province in Thailand is a concern for the tourism industry. The PPHO will begin the ?Getting to Zero AIDS? project as part of the United Nations joint HIV/AIDS program, which aims to achieve three goals: zero new infections, zero deaths and zero stigma and discrimination,? said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** According to PPHO statistics from 1989 to December last year, there have been 7,415 HIV/AIDS patients treated in Phuket. Of these, 1,945 have died.** ** ** ** Last year 99 new cases were identified in Phuket and nine patients died.**** ** ** Phuket's huge migrant population is the reason Phuket gets the dubious distinction of being Thailand's HIV/AIDS leader.**** ** ** This is because infection rates are based on reported cases divided by the official population, as determined by the number of people registered in the province.**** ** ** Phuket's registered population is about 330,000, though official estimates have put the actual population at twice that figure.**** ** ** The PPHO?s plan is to reduce the amount of new HIV infections by about 66 per cent this year. It also hopes to reduce to less than two per cent the number of HIV-infected newborns, he said.**** ** ** The PPHO hopes to achieve its second goal of halving the annual number HIV/AIDS deaths by 2016. Providing equal medical treatment for all HIV/AIDS patients will be the key to reaching this goal, he said.**** ** ** The PPHO also hopes to introduce laws and policies that will stop discrimination against HIV/AIDS infected people in the work place by 2016, said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** *4* One-fifth of gay ****Auckland**** men with HIV unaware they are infected *** * ****New Zealand**** Herald**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** A fifth of gay and bisexual Auckland men with HIV are unaware they are infected, new research has found.**** ** ** The Otago University study is the first community-based biological measure of HIV to estimate of the rate of undiagnosed and overall HIV infection among gay and bisexual Auckland men.**** ** ** The research suggests 6.5 per cent of gay and bisexual Auckland men have HIV, with 21 per cent of those unaware they are infected.**** ** ** The finding comes after the highest number of new HIV diagnoses was recorded among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand in 2010.**** ** ** Lead investigator Peter Saxton, of Otago University's department of preventive and social medicine, said undiagnosed HIV infection rates must be taken seriously if the virus was to be better controlled.**** ** ** "A person with undiagnosed HIV cannot tell someone they're infected and might not initiate safe sex. The practical reality of this is that everyone, especially gay men, needs to become better educated, supported and proficient at safe sex to control HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,"**** ** ** The study, carried out in February last year, recruited 1049 gay and bisexual men from community settings.**** ** ** Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire and provided an anonymous saliva specimen, which could be linked together by a unique code.**** ** ** The researchers compared respondents' self-reported HIV test history with their saliva result to find 1.3 per cent of HIV positive men did not know they were infected.**** ** ** Most believed they did not have HIV, and many had previously tested for HIV. **** ** ** The overall HIV infection rate was the same for European and Maori participants, but non-European respondents were less likely to be aware they had HIV.**** ** ** Younger infected gay men also appeared to be less likely to be aware of their infection.**** ** ** Dr Saxton said while testing was a cornerstone of control and needed to be made more accessible, testing alone was not the answer.**** ** ** "There will always be a lag between infection and diagnosis, and a person is particularly infectious early in the course of HIV infection when partners can be exposed unwittingly. This is why condom use remains key to control of your own and your partner's risk," he said.**** ** ** HIV positive people who remained undiagnosed delayed treatments that could improve their quality of life and life expectancy.**** ** ** "While treatments don't eliminate the HIV virus, they keep it at low levels and also reduce a person's infectiousness to others."**** ** ** The research, carried out by ****Otago** **University****'s AIDS Epidemiology Group, was a collaboration with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.**** ** ** The findings were published in the journal BMC Public Health.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** What does the second decade hold for the Global Fund? **** The Guardian**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Annie Kelly**** ** ** At Davos last week, the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria received an unexpected birthday gift from Bill Gates in the form of a $750m "promissory note" to help shore up its faltering finances.**** ** ** In pledging his hefty financial support, Gates effectively rescued the fund's 10-year birthday celebrations. Despite its staggering successes ? including helping put 3.3 million people on Aids treatment, 8.6 million on anti-tuberculosis treatment and providing 230m insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria ? the fund's recent troubles had threatened to overshadow its accomplishments as it prepared to mark a decade as the world's main financier of programmes to fight these three global epidemics.* *** ** ** In recent years the fund has become mired in much-documented struggles with corruption, management breakdowns and a crippling $2bn funding shortfall, all compounded by the swiftness of the global economic downturn and donor fatigue.**** ** ** There are fears that the knock-on decision to suspend the fund's 11th round of funding and not disperse any more money until 2014 will have catastrophic consequences. There are predictions that without continued support countries such as **Zambia** and ****Malawi**** will struggle to keep pace with infection rates and keep people on lifesaving medication, impacting on millions of vulnerable patients.**** ** ** Gate's pledge was a show of faith that provided more than just a much-needed cash boost as he urged donors and the world to keep confidence in the fund's ability to "[get] so much bang for our buck".**** ** ** Restore reputation**** The fund hopes that this, coupled with the departure of its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, and the commissioning of an independent review that recommended an overhaul of its grant management and financial practices, will help re-establish its reputation as it steps into its second decade.**** ** ** While all of this is clearly good news for the beleaguered fund, some frontline agencies are still reluctant to join in the celebrations.**** ** ** M?decins Sans Fronti?res' (MSF) HIV adviser, Sharonann Lynch, says Gates's cash should be a wake-up call for the fund's new board to "get back to work". "When addressing epidemics, the number one factor is speed ? and this isn't the time to hit the snooze button," she says.**** ** ** "Over the past few years the sense of urgency which once defined the work of the fund has become greatly diminished, and the board basically gave themselves a holiday instead of stepping up and doing their job and ensuring that the funding shortfall was made up. On the one hand, they have a new ambitious strategy for change; and on the other, they have effectively closed for business. And it is this lack of coherence that we find troubling ? and patients will come to find deadly."**** ** ** ** ** On the back of the new injection of funding, MSF is pushing for the fund to hold an emergency donor conference so that affected countries can apply for new grants and expand life-saving treatment this year. It is also urging the fund to become more creative in ensuring that it doesn't get caught on the back foot of funding cuts again.**** ** ** "On top of voluntary funding, we also need predictable mechanisms ? such as the financial transaction tax currently being debated in **Europe** ? with part of funds generated to be dedicated to global health, including the Global Fund," adds Lynch.**** ** ** Sir Richard Feachem, a founding executive of the fund in 2002 and now the director of the Global Health Group at the ****University** of **California* ***, agrees that the fund must become more flexible. "Times have changed since we founded the fund and I think [it] certainly should have been more agile in foreseeing the impact of the global financial crisis on its income and in re-engineering in ways that would allow continued progress in the light of constrained income," he says.**** ** ** Value for money**** Feachem argues that to do this the fund now needs to focus strongly on value for money ? an opportunity he believes has not yet been seized on by the management team as it scrambles to regroup.**** ** ** "Despite the independent review and the raft of recommendations and reforms, there needs to be a very strong move towards a cash on delivery or pay for performance model, which has not happened yet," he says. "Such a model is perfect for the fund, is consistent with its founding principles, would help move the fund away from the problems of corruption, and would improve efficiency enormously by, for example, setting a standard price for each unit of outcome or output."**** ** ** So how else can the fund ensure it regains momentum and moves forward into it's second decade?**** ** ** According to Alvaro Bermejo, executive director of the International HIV/Aids Alliance and current Global Fund board member, the fund can no longer rely on the discourse of panic and emergency.**** ** ** "It's important to understand the context in which the fund was created in 2002, which was very much as an emergency response, something which people tend to forget now," he says. "In this super rapid scale-up, the discourse at the time was that we were in emergency, so of course there was going to be some corruption and some mismanagement, which was right in the start but, as you develop and begin to know your enemy better, this has become insufficient."**** ** ** Bermejo says this has meant that as infection rates have started dropping, the fund's rhetoric has effectively become counter-productive, feeding the perception among some donors that the emergency is over.**** ** ** "Because the Fund didn't adapt its message it worked against the idea that there was still an urgent need for continued and sustained funding," he says. "And this needs to be urgently addressed."**** ** ** Elimination and eradication**** He argues that now the fund needs to look towards the language coming from the ****US**** ? from donors like Bill Gates and politicians such as Hillary Clinton ? calling for elimination and eradication of malaria and Aids within a generation. This, he says, could provide the fuel needed to keep the engine of the fund running over the next decade.**** ** ** "In Europe we're more scared of failure, so we don't like words like eradication, but there is no standing still when it comes to fighting infectious diseases," he says. "The fund has to find ways of reinjecting that urgency and determination back into its work over the next decade even if infection rates continue to decline."**** ** ** Feachem says a "certain complacency" must now be rectified by creative and positive change. If this happens, he believes the fund can even expand it's work to tackle other global health epidemics.**** ** ** "The fund needs to continue to pioneer a model for development finance that is a 21st-century model, and not a 1960s model, as still practised by most institutions. If continuing innovation can guide the development of the Global Fund, then I can see it eventually taking on additional tasks, such as maternal and neonatal health and becoming a real force for long-term change.**** ** ** "However, in the short-term, the main priority must be ensuring that the extraordinary progress in the fight against Aids, TB and malaria achieved in the past 10 years does not get reversed."**** ** ** *3* GSK's Andrew Witty on the future of pharma collaboration to help poor countries **** The Guardian**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** SarahBoseley?s GlobalHealthBlob**** Posted by Sarah Boseley**** ** ** Just before the all-singing, all-dancing launch of the big initiative to control or eliminate 10 neglected diseases ? starring 13 CEOs from Big Pharma, the WHO's director general, Margaret Chan, and Bill Gates ? I grabbed a few words with Sir Andrew Witty, head of GlaxoSmithKline, who co-chaired the negotiations over the past year with Gates.**** ** ** I was keen to know who was responsible for getting 13 CEOs, or as someone described it to me, 13 huge egos, together round the table. Was it Gates? Was it Chan? Was it Witty? Diplomatically, everybody said it was a combination of all of them. So I asked Witty to expand on this new spirit of collaboration among billion-dollar companies that used to fight tooth and nail.**** ** ** Here, in his own words, without further comment from me, is what he said:*** * ** ** ?We basically decided a little over a year ago that the NTDs [neglected tropical diseases] was an area where we could make some impact, get some traction.**** ** ** The WHO 2020 goals gave us a focus to put some hard expectations in place: which diseasses, by when? How are we going to get this done?**** ** ** I've been delighted at the energy we've found in the other companies. It's great to make individual progress, but if we could just get the broader front to move then something much bigger could be achieved and this is it, I think.**** ** ** The biggest achievement over the last year, I think, has been to get some of the companies to really massively increase their commitments, so that everybody is kind of at this at an industrial level, and I hope that what everybody is going to see today is an industry at its best, actually.**** ** ** We saw with that with the intellectual property ? We've now seen 13 companies signed up to Wipo [World intellectual Property Organisation] with something which has built a model around the GSK patent pool, and we've signed up ourselves to that. So actually here we are, two and a half years later, where pretty much all the IP [intellectual property], all the analagous IP to the kind of things we were offering up a couple of years ago, is now available or will be available through Wipo. So I think you are beginning to see a shift in the industry. I think this won't be the end of it.**** ** ** I think this is reinforcing for all the CEOs that there are sensible areas where we can work together for the public good, for society's good. We can still compete like crazy in other areas, but there are areas where we can work sensibly together and, guess what, there are also changes to the business model which allow us to be succesful in areas which have historically been very difficult. So, for example, you might have opening up IP today ? we and others are opening up more compound libraries for more research into difficult disease areas. We can be more flexible in the business model than the industry has been historically. It doesn't mean the industry can't compete but we can do things a bit differently.**** ** ** I think today's a big, big step forward. There will always be more we can do. My prediction is the next discussion will be how do we synchronise better on the ground, what are the logistical challenges on the ground to actually get things done efficiently, what about capacity-building, healthcare workers ? as you know, one of the things we've done is to put 20% of our profits back into capacity-building which is going directly to healthcare workers. I think that will be the next step. In terms of what should this industry be doing preferentially, it should be making available the drugs which nobody else has for people in these countries who suffer from these diseases ? we're doing that today ? and we should be committing ourselves to discover more, better drugs for the future, and we're doing that today and we're collaborating with others to maker it happen quicker.?* *** ** ** *4***** ****Ukraine****: Online Interactive Map Helps Fight HIV**** Global Voices**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by**** Maryna Reshetnyak**** ** ** Ukraine has a high number of HIV infected people. To address this problem private Ukrainian Charity Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS foundation in partnership with the Ukrainian office of Google launched the news social service maps.antiaids.org on December 1, 2011, the World Aids Day. The new service will help Ukrainian Internet users easier and faster to find the sites of HIV testing in their region as well as condom vending machines.**** ** ** The web-site of ANTIAIDS foundation reported that in the framework of the project for the fist time in Ukraine a database 927 sites of HIV testing was created.**** ** ** The interactive map shows not only the address of a particular site but also telephone numbers and the information about business hours. It also lists whether the site is unanimous or a person needs to present the ID. The database includes 173 sites of fast testing where a person can get the results in 15-20 minutes.**** ** ** In addition, the HIV Testing Sites map service contains a FAQ section where a user can find all the information necessary for HIV testing such as how long to wait for a test results, is it possible to receive the results via e-mail or telephone, how much it will cots, what is the procedure of the testing and how to interpret the result, what to do if the results are positive or negative.**** ** ** All this information is available not only in Internet but also on HIV/AIDS national hotline.**** ** ** The condoms wending machines map helps people of major Ukrainian cities to find the nearest machine and to receive the instructions on how to use it. The advantages of the machines are speed and simplicity and that people can purchase the condoms anonymously, without attracting attention of other people and without and interaction with shop assistance like in supermarkets or pharmacies, ANTIAIDS web-site reported.**** ** ** According to Google Ukraine blog the future plan of the project includes implementing improved navigation map and preparation of the mobile version of the service.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Realizan pruebas de sida y s?filis de manera gratuita **** El Imparcial, Mexico**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Por Rub?n A. Ruiz**** raruiz at elimparcial.com**** ** ** Pruebas gratuitas de sida y s?filis, entre otras, se est?n llevando a cabo gratuitamente en las jornadas de Mi?rcoles Ciudadano, anunci? la directora municipal de Salud, Gabriela de Le?n de Quintero.**** ** ** Inform? que se hacen por parte de la Secretar?a de Salud por medio de los centros Capasits, dedicado a prevenci?n y atenci?n a enfermos de sida y otras enfermedades de transmisi?n sexual.**** ** ** ?Estamos en una etapa que preferimos medicina preventiva que curar enfermedades, por eso se est? ofreciendo gratuitamente a la gente que crea necesario y saber cu?l es su estado y si tiene o no sida?, coment?.**** ** ** La funcionaria invit? a la comunidad a aprovechar esta oportunidad, sobre todo aquellos que hayan tenido una conducta de riesgo o que no est?n seguros de su pareja.**** ** ** ?La persona acude aqu?, se hace la prueba, para saber si tiene anticuerpos contra sida, es una gota de sangre, si sale positiva tiene que acudir al Capasits para hacer la prueba siguiente que es Elisa.**** ?Y otra prueba m?s indicativa para empezar su tratamiento, cualquier gente que crea que ha tenido una conducta de riesgo por relaciones sexuales sin cond?n o sea drogadicto o se inyecte con jeringas usadas puede acudir?, explic?.**** ** ** Asimismo, continu?, en el caso de mujeres embarazadas, ya que con un tratamiento a tiempo puede evitar que su hijo nazca con la enfermedad.**** ** ** Es de destacar que tambi?n pueden acudir de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a 13:00 horas al centro Capasits, ubicado por la avenida Jes?s Garc?a, donde en forma gratuita se le hace la prueba.**** ** ** *3* Sida afecta a menores de edad**** Diario del Ot?n, Colombia**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Pereira, Dosquebradas, Santa Rosa de Cabal y La Virginia, son los cuatro municipios risaraldenses seleccionados para la puesta en marcha de un proyecto de prevenci?n del VIH-Sida.**** ** ** Menores de 12, 15 y 17 a?os de edad hacen parte de la lista de los 234 casos nuevos registrados de VIH en Risaralda en el a?o 2011, de los cuales 150 se presentaron en Pereira, 47 en Dosquebradas, 8 en Santa Rosa de Cabal y 7 en La Virginia, municipios que hacen parte de los 75 seleccionados en Colombia para comenzar a ejecutarse un proyecto internacional de lucha contra el Sida.**** ** ** Aunque la incidencia de Sida en menores de edad es baja en el departamento, seg?n la Secretar?a de Salud de Risaralda se registraron al menos cinco casos de adolescentes contagiados el a?o pasado y a?n no se ha determinado el mecanismo de transmisi?n.**** ** ** La presencia de casos de la enfermedad en menores de edad tiene en alerta a las autoridades de salud que este a?o acompa?ar? la ejecuci?n de un proyecto en construcci?n de capacidad comunitaria e institucional para la oferta de servicios preventivos de salud y reducci?n de la morbimortalidad y vulnerabilidad asociada al VIH-Sida en grupos claves afectados.**** ** ** Campa?as de entrega de condones, promoci?n de pruebas de tamizaje para diagnosticar la enfermedad, capacitaciones a personal m?dico, charlas a la comunidad y trabajo articulado con fundaciones que trabajan con personas con VIH-Sida, har?n parte de las acciones que ser?n implementadas este a?o en los cuatro municipios risaraldenses con mayor incidencia de la enfermedad.**** ** ** De lo 234 casos que se presentaron en el 2011, 158 fueron hombres y 75 mujeres, los cuales en su mayor?a son heterosexuales.**** ** ** El proyecto que actualmente es implementado en cuatro municipios de Risaralda fue impulsado por la Novena Ronda del Fondo Mundial de Lucha Contra el Sida, en la que particip? Colombia, y donde se asignaron unos recursos importantes para la ejecuci?n del programa de prevenci?n durante cinco a?os.**** ** ** El coordinador del programa en Colombia es una ONG denominada CMF, quien se encarg? de la selecci?n de 75 municipios del pa?s, con base a las cifras de incidencia de la enfermedad.**** ** ** La poblaci?n que ha contra?do en el ?ltimo a?o VIH en el departamento, en su gran mayor?a, tiene edades comprendidas entre 20 y 39 a?os, seguida por los mayores de 50, lo que representa que los riesgos de contagio en j?venes son m?s elevados que en otras edades. Usar preservativo es la ?nica manera de prevenir esta enfermedad que desde su inicio en Colombia en 1983 hasta el pasado julio, han padecido 83.467 personas aproximadamente.**** ** ** Es de resaltar que las cifras de incidencia en la regi?n pueden ser mayores, muchos ciudadanos pueden ser portadores y no saberlo, pues el VIH es asintom?tico y hasta que no se realicen los ex?menes correspondientes no se dar?n cuenta.**** ** ** Es importante aclarar que el VIH no es lo mismo que el Sida, mientras el primero se trata de la existencia del Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana en la persona es asintom?tico. El segundo, el Sida, es una etapa avanzada de la infecci?n por VIH con presencia de s?ntomas.**** ** ** *4***** Importancia de los controles prenatales **** ABC Digital, Paraguay**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Difunden la importancia del control prenatal con el lema ?Mam? sana, beb? sano?, desde el Ministerio de Salud P?blica.**** ** ** * Es importante que las embarazadas asistan a los controles prenatales, cuiden su salud y alimentaci?n para asegurar su bienestar y el de su beb?. Este control debe ser peri?dico y precoz, antes del cuarto mes de embarazo, recomienda la cartera sanitaria. Advierte que si no se llevan a cabo los controles pertinentes, en caso de padecer alguna patolog?a, el cuadro podr?a agravarse.**** ** ** Control precoz**** ** ** * Es necesario el monitoreo permanente de ambas personas. Este control debe ser precoz, antes del cuarto mes de embarazo, y abarca no solo los an?lisis laboratoriales, sino tambi?n inspecciones f?sicas peri?dicas a cargo de profesionales m?dicos y de la propia madre sobre su cuerpo.**** ** ** * Recu?rdese que tanto las consultas m?dicas como los an?lisis laboratoriales y las ecograf?as son brindados gratuitamente en cualquiera de los servicios dependientes del Ministerio de Salud. Los ex?menes incluyen pruebas de hemograma, glicemia, tipificaci?n, VIH y VDRL.**** ** ** An?lisis necesarios**** * Una madre puede estar aparentemente sana, sin embargo, puede tener alguna de estas infecciones (VIH, s?filis), que se adquieren por v?a sexual y pueden pasar muchos a?os sin presentar ning?n s?ntoma.**** * Si el resultado del an?lisis es positivo, se deben iniciar cuanto antes las medidas para reducir la posibilidad de que el ni?o nazca con VIH, se infecte con s?filis o muera.**** ** ** * Estos an?lisis se realizan en la mayor?a de los hospitales dependientes del Ministerio de Salud P?blica, son sencillos y se necesita una sola muestra de sangre para ambos.**** *Si la prueba de VIH o s?filis da positiva, la criatura est? en peligro si no se toman las medidas pertinentes de protecci?n. El virus del VIH se puede transmitir durante el embarazo, durante el parto o a trav?s de la leche materna. Sin tratamiento, entre el 25 al 40% de los nacidos de madres con VIH contraen el virus, y el 70% de los nacidos de madres con s?filis mueren al poco tiempo de nacer o sufren ceguera, retardo mental, deformaci?n facial u otros s?ntomas.**** *?Se puede hacer algo para que el beb? no nazca con este virus? La criatura puede nacer sana. Apenas se recibe el resultado positivo del an?lisis, se debe iniciar el tratamiento con medicamentos espec?ficos, los medicamentos contra el virus del VIH son gratuitos. Adem?s el m?dico debe programar el parto por ces?rea, antes de que inicien las contracciones de la madre, quien tampoco deber? amamantar al reci?n nacido, pues la leche materna contiene el virus; por su parte, la criatura recibir? un medicamento por 42 d?as para reducir la posibilidad de contraer el virus.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Why the Global Fund Matters (OpEd) **** New York Times**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** By PAUL FARMER**** ** ** Ten years ago, the heads of the G-8 countries met in Genoa, Italy, to back the establishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ? a new funding mechanism that dramatically increased resources available to fight preventable, treatable diseases stalking the poor and depleting developing economies around the globe**** ** ** In 2001, very few people ? almost none, really ? living with H.I.V. in Africa had access to antiretroviral medicines. Today, more than 3.3 million people ? more than half of those on treatment worldwide ? are on treatment supported by the Global Fund: A true victory for the global community. The fund and the U.S. international AIDS program, Pepfar (the President?s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program), are the most ambitious global health endeavors in generations. **** ** ** Now, 10 years since its founding, the Global Fund is facing a serious financial shortfall, and the fund?s board voted recently not to accept new grant requests until at least 2014. Bill Gates? announcement of a $750 million contribution to the fund in Davos last week was welcome news ? the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been among the greatest supporters of the Global Fund since its inception ? but will not change the board?s decision. They knew of Gates? donation before they canceled the current round of grant-making. **** ** ** This funding deficit hit right when the end of AIDS became plausible: Last year, scientific breakthroughs provided conclusive evidence that putting more people on treatment earlier can significantly reduce incidence of H.I.V. Treatment is prevention. **** ** ** Beyond AIDS, the Global Fund is currently the largest donor in the world for tuberculosis and malaria programs. Operating in 150 countries, it has treated more than 8 million cases of tuberculosis and distributed 230 million insecticide-treated nets. Deaths from malaria are down nearly 40 percent in most of Africa. The question is not whether the Global Fund works, but how to ensure it keeps working for years to come. **** ** ** In my mind, there are four reasons this is imperative: **** ** ** First, the world needs to expand, not contract, access to health care because of the sheer burden of disease. It is unconscionable that, in 2012, we are still living in a world where millions of poor people die of preventable and treatable diseases. **** ** ** Second, the Fund doesn?t simply give handouts; it takes the longer road of investing in and working with health ministries. In doing so, it seeks to build (or rebuild) local health systems, develop platforms for transparency and accountability, boost local procurement and improve supply chains, and help train civil servants and health professionals. **** ** ** This approach has had profound spillover effects on other health and development priorities. In central Haiti, for example, establishing effective treatment programs for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has raised the standard of care for chronic conditions like major mental illness, heart failure and several forms of cancer. **** ** ** Third, the Global Fund proves how much multilateral organizations can accomplish. While the usual players ? the G-8, say ? bear the greatest financial burden, I would urge some of the recipient countries to consider themselves partners of and contributors to the fund. In today?s global economy, countries like India, Russia and China play meaningful roles as donors and as recipients of grants. Gabriel Jaramillo, a Brazilian banker who last week was named the fund?s general manager, will surely strengthen these links and reinvigorate its leadership. The Global Fund is a truly multilateral organization, and stronger for it. **** ** ** Fourth, a recession is a lousy excuse to starve one of the best (and only) instruments we have for helping people who live on a few dollars a day. Most marginalized populations around the globe have always faced economic contraction; ?financial crisis? has been ongoing for them since the day they were born. It would be a great mistake to allow one of the world?s most effective global health institutions to fail because we need to get our own fiscal house in order. **** ** ** Along with Pepfar, the Global Fund has, without question, helped turn the corner on AIDS. It has also helped realize substantial gains against TB and malaria that must be maintained. We need to summon the funding and political will, now, to protect the hard-fought progress of the past decade. **** ** ** Simply put, if we allow the fund to fail, many people will die, and we will forfeit the chance at the ?AIDS-free generation? that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for in November. This is no time to step back. **** ** ** *Paul Farmer is chairman of the department of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School and a cofounder of Partners in Health, which has received support from the Global Fund in Haiti, Lesotho and Russia. * *A version of this op-ed appeared in print on February 2, 2012, in The International Herald Tribune*. **** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120203/e3c31eef/attachment-0002.html From thanhhien at abtvn.com Tue Jan 31 02:06:30 2012 From: thanhhien at abtvn.com (Hien Nguyen) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:06:30 -0800 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Abt Associates Inc - Carrer Opportunity Message-ID: <9BBF2352C397394C9982A6FA38463B1B06950E4771@VA3DIAXVS951.RED001.local> Dear All, Abt Associates Inc. is now seeking for a talented, dynamic and highly motivated Vietnamese individuals for our new project in Danang city. We therefore would appreciate if you could help us to circulate the attached Vacancy Announcement among those who have interest. Thanks and B. Regards Hien Nguyen Thanh Hien Abt Associates Inc. 3rd Floor, 72 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho District, Hanoi Tel: 84-4-37185716 (162) Fax: 84-4-37182652 ________________________________ This message may contain privileged and confidential information intended solely for the addressee. Please do not read, disseminate or copy it unless you are the intended recipient. If this message has been received in error, we kindly ask that you notify the sender immediately by return email and delete all copies of the message from your system. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment-0004.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Type: application/msword Size: 147968 bytes Desc: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment-0004.doc From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Wed Feb 1 02:21:18 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:21:18 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (12.01.31ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103506@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103506@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: ** Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. The Africa Report - HIV/AIDS: ****Africa** is too dependent**** * * ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* 1. The Herald, ****Zimbabwe**** - Giving Is the Way Out of Poverty**** 2. The New Times, **Rwanda** - ****Rwanda****: Mrs. Kagame Takes Part in First Ladies' Assembly Against HIV**** 3. East Africa News Post - ****RWANDA****: HIV positive women denied inheritance rights ? report**** 4. GhanaWeb - HIV Caregivers face isolation **** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* 1. ****VietNam**** News - Gov't support for HIV/AIDS fight needed **** ** ** ***EUROPE***** 1. The Guardian, **UK** - Violent prejudice against ****Jamaica****'s gay people must stop**** 2. Reuters AlertNet - East Africans warn funding cuts will increase AIDS deaths**** 3. Reuters Aler - Helping HIV Patients in ****Lebanon******** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. El Universal, Mexico - M?xico frente al VIH: un panorama adverso para 2012 **** 2. Radio Habana, Cuba - Cuba: una eficaz estrategia en la lucha contra el SIDA**** 3. **Stabroek News**, **Guyana** - ****Guyana**** health ministry to focus on STIs overshadowed by HIV**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** 1. The New York Times - AIDS Prevention Inspires Ways to Make Circumcisions Easier**** 2. The New York Times - New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect**** 3. Huffington Post - Ten Years of The Global Fund: a Crossroads and a Choice **** 4. Associated Press - Design chosen for NYC AIDS memorial park **** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* 1. UNAIDS ? UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** HIV/AIDS: **Africa** is too dependent**** The **Africa** Report**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Africa is too dependent on external resources, especially for the Aids response and this must change, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidib?, told the continent's leaders at the AU summit at Addis Ababa**** ** ** "This is a source of great risk and potential instability. The status quo cannot be sustained - it is time for a new development paradigm that is developed and owned by the leaders of Africa," he said.**** ** ** A press release by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) secretariat in Accra on Sunday says Sidibe asked African governments to take on a greater share of Aids investments in their countries, since financing a sustainable response to the HIV epidemic in Africa requires home-grown and innovative solutions.**** ** ** This comes after a report in November 2011, by UNAIDS, charged with the international campaign against HIV and Aids, indicated that new infections were declining sharply as a result of a better anti-retroviral therapy coverage with the most dramatic increases in anti-retroviral therapy coverage occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.**** ** ** The report revealed that the decreasing infection rates were due to changes in sexual behaviour, increased condom use and people waiting longer before becoming sexually active with 47 percent HIV+ people now receiving treatment out of 14.2 million eligible people in low and middle income countries, but Sidib? maintained that it was high time Africa took control of the HIV/Aids situation.**** ** ** Scaling up**** An estimated two-thirds of Aids expenditure in Africa comes from international funding, according to a new UNAIDS study titled "Aids dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions," which reveals that a vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in Africa were imported from generic manufacturers.**** ** ** But experts say that whilst the cost of HIV drug regimens have declined significantly in recent years, they remained high and unsustainable, and prices must be further reduced to reach all people eligible for treatment.** ** ** ** Nonetheless, Africa will require between US$11 and US$12 billion for its Aids response by 2015 and US$3 and US$4 billion more than the current expenditure, UNAIDS estimates show.**** ** ** And to attain its zero infection, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths strategy UNAIDS said in last year's report that it needed "a scaling up of funding to US$22 - 24 billion in 2015". However, only US$15 billion was available for the Aids response in low and middle income countries during the latter half of last year.**** ** ** Generating revenue**** Nepad has suggested that revenue generating sources should include taxing alcohol and tobacco consumption or the use of mobile telephones. African leaders could also explore the wider use of "soft loans" from the African Development Bank.**** ** ** Having a single African Medicines Regulatory Agency could also expedite the rollout of quality assured HIV drugs, as well as the development of centres of excellence in Africa to catalyse the local production of high-quality HIV medicines and build Africa's knowledge-based economy.**** ** ** Africa accounted for 70 percent of the world's new infections in 2010 registering about 1.2 million HIV/Aids related deaths despite the sharp decline in HIV infection levels.**** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** Giving Is the Way Out of Poverty**** The Herald, ****Zimbabwe******** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By Gertrude Takawira**** ** ** Everything he touches seems to prosper. Bill Gates gave us his innovations in information and communication technology, by co-founding and building Microsoft to global extends. Gates became the second richest man in the world after the Mexican Carlos Slim.**** ** ** His innovations have taken a new twist. This time, instead of amassing riches, he is giving it out for the good of all. Interestingly both ventures, creating wealth and philanthropy, are a success for Gates.**** ** ** So successful is Gates that he had the confidence to take both good and rotten cassava to this year 2012, Davos for presentation at the World Economic Forum, a high profile event typically associated with caviar.**** ** ** In addition to material wealth, success includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, spiritual, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being and peace of mind. Wrongly, many people tend to limit success to financial and material terms, and thus miss out on the true joy of life.**** ** ** The joy of fulfilling one's desires with effortless ease is how nature or the universe provides for us, rather that the gruelling hard labour, upon which current global system is founded.**** ** ** Thus true success is measured through giving and receiving, which are age old principles upon which the universe is designed to avail abundance to all creation.**** ** ** There is a lot of literature in both secular and spiritual languages, which teach us on the need to be in harmony or in unity with divine systems. Disunity, bring about sickness, poverty, environmental challenges, wars and general lack instead of abundance.**** ** ** One the other hand, giving and receiving ensure consistent flow of provisions, just as the flow of blood ensures nourishment to all our body systems. Any amount of hoarding exerts pressure on the universal trading system and constricts free flow of wealth and provisions.**** ** ** This insight and vision, which some have relegated to churches and charity bodies, others doubt it totally, others have abused it and yet others still are loyal to, is what Gates is now being innovative about.**** ** ** Eradicating polio for instance is one of his goals for a better world. His philanthropy is on a grand scale. He plans to eradicate diseases in his lifetime that have plagued humanity for thousands of years.**** ** ** The Bill and Melinda Foundation is the world's largest philanthropic organisation which donates about US$300 million a year to agriculture projects, a little more than one-tenth of its overall annual commitments. About half of the organisation's money goes to health care, including efforts to fight AIDS, polio and malaria, while the rest is dedicated to education and other programmes.**** ** ** The novelty about Bill Gates' latest philanthropic interests is in the realisation that if the wealthiest individuals and families do not give, then the global wealth creation system will simply dry up.**** ** ** Watching men and women at Davos, painstakingly trying to place their fingers on the cause and solutions to the economic downturn and the euro zone crisis, it is evident that these political and economic leaders have run out of ideas.**** ** ** When corporate leadership realises and deliberately engage in a culture of giving, more wealth will be shared and therefore released into circulation. More work gets done with ease and greater success and ultimate benefit for all also gets realised.**** ** ** Social responsibility becomes the corporate culture and the multitudes forms of rot are eliminated. Junior Murchison said, "Money is like manure. If you spread it around it does a lot of good. But if you pile it up in one place it stinks like hell".**** ** ** In societies across the world, there are lots of examples of individuals who once received large amounts of riches, but failed to give and share, there lifestyles in many ways became like a pile of manure. This pattern follows the principles of the universe, which operates through dynamic exchange.**** ** ** This exchange must be kept flowing through giving and receiving. The corporate, has in its custody large sums of money, which although some of it is released through taxes, more through the principle of giving must be shared, thankfully.**** ** ** Gates is applying the same attention to detail that made him such a business success into his new found passion of saving lives. This illustrates the enthusiasm which can only come through a grateful and joyful spirit.**** ** ** When addressing a school in the UK recently, Bill Gates explained how his foundation was systematically working to get rid of every last case of polio, a scourge which paralysed hundreds and thousands of people each year. **** ** ** The giving is not only limited to money or financial means, but also time and whatever it is that one desires to see in abundant supply. Some societies believe in this principle of giving and receiving, so much that they will give something, even if it a flower or a smile to each person they came across.**** ** ** One of the first things taught to a small child is to give and receive. Here in Africa, businesses do not have to look far to find opportunities to give. Poverty in our resource rich continent is prevalent. It is one area, which if every corporate on the continent would make it their goal to eradicate, should soon fade away.**** ** ** In fact, every corporate governance system should consider poverty a risk factor to the long term sustainability of business. When a business is surrounded by poverty, it does not flourish.**** ** ** Enjoying the fruits of the business, among the poor is impossible as one will constantly be reminded of poverty and someone will always want to take their place. I believe that the corporate leadership is able and can stand up to this challenge if they set their minds to it. The goal is equity.**** ** ** As if philanthropy is not enough for Gates, he recently appeared in one television programme, saying that he believes the rich in America, are currently not paying enough taxes and that they should pay more.**** ** ** This language is not common in the corporate world. A transformation is certainly taking place among the likes of Gates, members of the Giving Pledge and other wealthy people around the world including China.**** ** ** Poverty eradication can not be left to governments. The corporate has a role to play. If they diligently apply the same success factors in their businesses to the poverty eradication cause, it should be possible to turn millions of people living in poverty, into a productive society, one which has the capacity to give and receive.**** ** ** In that way the universe is kept busy in productive and not destructive pursuits. It then becomes possible for nations to enjoy peace and harmony.** ** ** ** Many business people have admired Bill Gates for having been among the richest man in the world. He provided solutions to the ICT sector which almost every one of the 7 billion people around the world has directly or indirectly benefited from.**** ** ** Now he is onto providing a different kind of solution, this time to a poignant challenge to humanity, through giving. How many in the corporate leadership will not only admire, but also emulate Gates?**** ** ** *The writer is a researcher and consultant in governance.* ** ** *2* ****Rwanda****: Mrs. Kagame Takes Part in First Ladies' Assembly Against HIV **** The New Times, ****Rwanda******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By Edwin Musoni**** ** ** Rwanda's First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, was among other African First Ladies who attended the eleventh Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/ Aids (OAFLA) General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.**** ** ** The meeting, whose theme is "An HIV/AIDS free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today," is held alongside the 18th AU summit in Addis Ababa which President Paul Kagame is attending.**** ** ** The First Ladies' meeting aimed at addressing issues on maternal mortality and the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS, revitalisation of OAFLA members and resource mobilisation.**** ** ** In her speech at the opening ceremony, the President of OAFLA; the First Lady of Namibia, Mrs. Penehupifo Pohamba, underscored the need to scale up EMTCT services with special emphasis on male involvement.**** ** ** A statement from the Mrs. Kagame's office indicates that, "In Rwanda the percentage of male involvement in EMTCT services is 83 percent".**** ** ** "Other guests at the General Assembly included the Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidib? and Mrs. Ban Soon Taek, wife of the UN Secretary General," it adds.**** ** ** During the seven years since the establishment of OAFLA, the African Ladies have accomplished various goals in their countries as well as regions. The results of their efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of children, women and youth on the continent.**** ** ** OAFLA was formed in 2002 by 37 First African First Ladies with the goal of advocating for the mobilisation of awareness and resources as well as the development of leadership, policies, strategies and actions to fight HIV/AIDS at the national, regional and global level.**** ** ** *3* ****RWANDA****: HIV positive women denied inheritance rights ? report **** **East Africa** New Post**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Women living with HIV/Aids in Gasabo and Nyanza districts are being denied their rights to inherit family property by their spouses and other relatives, a research conducted by the Women?s Network for Rural Development, commonly known by its French moniker Reseaux Des Femmes, has shown.**** ** ** According to the research, carried out in three sectors in each of the districts, husbands say they cannot offer property to someone destined for death, leaving women stranded.**** ** ** Worse, they are threatened and, at times, thrown out of their marital homes once the husband dies, says the report, made public at a workshop in Remera, Kigali last week.**** ** ** The survey, sponsored by UN Women, focussed on issues related to women?s property and inheritance in the context of HIV/Aids.**** ** ** Nutritional needs were highlighted as the other challenges facing the women, it said**** ** ** The research was carried out as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of women?s vulnerability to HIV/Aids through enhanced advocacy and increasing their access to property, according to Beata Busasa, the National Coordinator for Women?s Network for Rural Development.**** ** ** ?The research provides broader understanding of the challenges to women infected with HIV. People living with HIV need a lot of support to live their full lives just like anybody else,? Busasa said in an interview with The New Times.**** ** ** In the case of discordant couples (where one partner is negative), the report says, women are mistreated and accused of being responsible for bringing the virus.**** ** ** With an estimated three percent of the adult population infected with HIV, Rwanda is less affected than other regional countries.**** ** ** The National Strategic Plan on HIV and Aids 2009 to 2012 provides that people infected and affected by HIV have the same opportunities as the general population.**** ** ** However, grassroots leaders are not keen to resolve issues of violation of the inheritance rights of women infected with the virus, the report indicated. **** ** ** And most women, especially in rural areas, are ignorant of where to seek appropriate help in case their rights are abused, the researchers said.**** ** ** *5* HIV Caregivers face isolation **** GhanaWeb**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Ho, Jan 30, GNA - Mr Livinus Acquah-Jackson Executive Director, New Seed International has hinted that Caregivers of persons suffering from the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are being shunned.**** ** ** He gave the hint at a workshop organized in Ho by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), for Directors of NGOs in HIV/AIDS and Paralegals.**** ** ** New Seed International based at Sokode near Ho, provides care for persons with HIV/AIDS and takes custody of orphans whose parents have died from the disease.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson said once people got to know that you were into HIV/AIDS work they would not want to be associated with you lest they be suspected of being HIV positive.**** ** ** Recounting his experience, Mr Acquah-Jackson said anytime he entered a house, people would want to know whether there was somebody with the disease in that house.**** ** ** He said as a result people were reluctant to admit him in their homes.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson said the situation could undermine the delivery of care to those with the virus as they would be reluctant to own up to their status.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson therefore called for the intensification of HIV/AIDS education which he observed had gone down considerably.**** ** ** He said it would be dangerous for the country to lower the intensity of the campaign against the disease because of the country?s reported low prevalence rate.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson observed that seeds of HIV, which had been sown at the peak of the disease in the country, could be maturing and more people could also be contracting the virus.**** ** ** He said the social lives of people providing care to HIV/AIDS victims were also at risk of breaking down.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** Gov't support for HIV/AIDS fight needed **** ****VietNam**** News**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** HA NOI ? Social organisations do not receive sufficient support from the Government, especially in terms of finance, in the battle against HIV/AIDS, according to experts and activists in the field. **** ** ** Nguyen Van Tien, deputy head of the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs said the limitation of the Government's budget did not allow it to support civil social organisations in HIV/AIDS response. **** ** ** Social organisations, therefore, were much more dependent upon the aid and assistance of foreign organisations to organise their activities and events, he said.**** ** ** According to Vu Thi Phuong Lan, head of management at Sunflower Network, a community-based organisation of 13 self-help groups operating in seven cities and provinces to support HIV-positive women and their families, the network receives financial support from a sole sponsor - the Netherlands-Vietnam Medical Committee, an international non-governmental organisation. **** ** ** Lan said health centres and red cross associations at the local level also helped by offering management advice as well as spaces to organise events, "but the main support the network receives is from the international organisation", she added.**** ** ** The network now faces an uncertain future as the medical committee will withdraw its assistance in the next six months, leaving the network without any sponsor for its continued activities. **** ** ** "We have asked other foreign organisations for financial support but failed," said Lan.**** ** ** "At present, the management plan is to offer support services and collect fees to keep the network running, but the plan has yet to be made clear," she revealed.**** ** ** The problem facing the Sunflower network became more common after Viet Nam officially was classified as a middle-income country, according to experts.* *** ** ** Tien said social organisations might become less active due to the decrease in funding. **** ** ** The lack of financial support, however, is not the only obstacle for organisations delivering HIV prevention service and care. **** ** ** Tran Tien Duc, former head of the health policy initiatives project under the United States Agency for International Development, said limited governance capacity, stability and accountability were common weaknesses that the organisations must overcome. **** ** ** "Many community-based organisations lack sufficient organisational capacity and a strategic vision," added Tien.**** ** ** He also said that there had not been a strategy or orientation plan made for the sustainable development of organisations. **** ** ** Venerable Thich Dong Nguyen, deputy head of the Anti-HIV society under the Buddhism Academy, said religious involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention needed greater consistency and direction. **** ** ** "There should be a co-ordinator who engages the religious society in HIV-AIDS activities."**** ** ** Nguyen's opinion mirrored Tien's position. He said there must be a mechanism to control and co-ordinate the resources of civil organisations for HIV/AIDS response. **** ** ** Tien said the Government's management over HIV/AIDS activities was not good enough and State-governed agencies were still hesitant to offer support to community-based organisations. **** ** ** "Only those whose activities were funded by the Viet Nam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control were really under the Government's management." **** ** ** Tien said there needed to be better co-operation between the Government and the civil society to ensure more effective HIV prevention. **** ** ** Both Tien and Duc said there was a lack of a clear and consistent legal framework to encourage the establishment and operation of civil organisations, as the law for them had yet to be issued and requirements for their registration were still complicated.**** **** Tien added that the Government should enact policies to support social organisations' activities, especially those in HIV/AIDS response, as the civil society played a key role in delivering care and support to people with HIV.**** ** ** "Community-based organisations have helped the Government a lot by taking the initiatives to deal with many issues which the Government itself has failed to resolve because of its overwhelming workload". ? VNS**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Violent prejudice against ****Jamaica****'s gay people must stop**** The Guardian, ****UK******** 27/01/2012**** ** ** Maurice Tomlinson**** ** ** Almost a year to the day that David Kato, the Ugandan human rights activist, was murdered in his home because of his sexuality, I am flying from Toronto to London to accept the inaugural the David Kato Voice and Vision Award, which recognises individuals who uphold the human rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people around the world. I should have been flying from Jamaica my country of birth and, until very recently, my home. After the ceremony I should be returning there to celebrate with fellow activists.**** ** ** But this time there's no going home. In August last year I married Tom, a former police officer and a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. Media reports of my marriage, in Jamaica, have led to an increase in the threats against my life and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has written to the Jamaican government for the second time in a year inquiring what measures it will take to guarantee my safety. So far, the government has failed to respond.**** ** ** Threats are nothing new for me. It's only the intensity that's changed. I'm a lawyer and activist in Jamaica, which has the distinction of being regarded as one of the most violently homophobic countries in the world. In a recent survey 82% of Jamaican people said they were prejudiced against gay people. Vigilante attacks against gay men are common ? at least 35 people have been murdered because of their sexuality since 1997. Last year, two men were hacked to death because they were gay. The latest victim was a 16-year-old youth chopped to death in his home by early morning invaders because of his "questionable relations" with another man.**** ** ** Former prime minister Bruce Golding set a tone of impunity for those prepared to use violence against gay people in Jamaica: during a BBC Hardtalk interview in 2008 he said that he would not allow gay people to be a part of his cabinet. According to the law, consensual sex between two men in Jamaica will get you 10 years of imprisonment and hard labour. Any "act of gross indecency" ? kissing for instance ? will get you two years.**** ** ** The law is rarely enforced. More often, police use it for extortion. But the fact such a law exists inflames the vigilante groups. Even the police officer who recorded my first death-threat report ranted at me that he "hates gays, who deserve to die". In the past year, I have received three death threats for speaking out against the country's ferocious homophobia.** ** ** ** The threats to my life are a personal tragedy, but sadly not an uncommon one. Discrimination, stigma and abuse are the daily reality for millions of gay people. And now the battle has become entangled with the politics of aid.**** ** ** Recently the Commonwealth faced up to its human rights record ? particularly the criminalisation of homosexuality. David Cameron made it clear that states refusing to decriminalise homosexuality risk losing British aid. Ironically, however, he failed to acknowledge or apologise for Britain's role in imposing the anti-sodomy law on its former colonies, while his emphasis on homosexuality is inadvertently discriminatory as it ignores other egregious human rights violations being perpetuated in these countries.**** ** ** His intentions might have been well meaning but they are also counterproductive: trying to force people to change their attitudes and cultural beliefs can play into the hands of repressive regimes ? by portraying sexual rights as an imposition of "western colonialism". It allows them to mask broader issues of human rights, governance and corruption. Some countries use the issues of homosexuality to hide their own failures and show how donor communities are promulgating "gay lifestyles".**** ** ** Instead, aid should be linked to good governance. Countries need to meet their wider human rights obligation by observing the indivisibility of rights. As Hillary Clinton said at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva: "Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct, but in fact they are one and the same." (The US, however, has not done enough to curtail its own export of homophobia to countries such as mine by American evangelical Christian groups.)**** ** ** For two years, I have collected the reports of victims as a legal adviser for international advocacy organisation Aids-Free World. Now I'm taking them to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, since the Jamaican Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms protects the laws against "sexual offences" from constitutional review.**** ** ** The culmination of the work the charity and our Jamaican partners have been doing over the past two years is an unprecedented legal challenge to the Jamaican anti-sodomy law. If successful, it could be the beginning of the end of the criminalisation of homosexuals in Jamaica, and undoubtedly have a knock-on effect throughout the Caribbean. However, the Jamaican government could make the commission petition redundant by simply repealing the anti-sodomy law.**** ** ** The new Jamaican prime minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, has indicated that she would have no objections to selecting a gay person for her cabinet. She also promised to call for a parliamentary conscience vote on the law. Let's hope she does so soon.**** ** ** The reports of violence against Jamaican LGBTI remind me what we're fighting for. When I receive the David Kato award I will represent the millions of individuals worldwide whose lives are a daily struggle against hostility and persecution simply because of their sexuality.**** ** ** *2* East Africans warn funding cuts will increase AIDS deaths**** Reuters AlertNet**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Katy Migiro **** ** ** NAIROBI (AlertNet) ? Hundreds of HIV-positive Kenyans protested outside the European Union?s Nairobi office on Monday, accusing the EU of causing unnecessary deaths by cutting funding to the world?s largest financial backer of the fight against HIV/AIDS.**** ** ** The public-private Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said in November it had run out of money to pay for the next two years for new grants for countries battling these diseases. The demonstrators called on the Global Fund to hold an emergency donor conference to raise $2 billion so developing countries can apply for grants this year.**** ** ** ?We are just burying a grenade that is going to explode in future,? said Peter Mugyenyi, a scientist involved in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in neighbouring Uganda, who travelled to Kenya to take part in the demonstration.**** ** ** ?If we don?t increase funding now, we already know that the transmission of HIV is going to increase.?**** ** ** Demonstrators warned that people will stop going for HIV-testing and stigma will increase if it becomes harder for people to access free antiretroviral drugs.**** ** ** ?How many people will go for HIV-testing when drugs are not available? You?d rather not know and leave it like that,? said Paul Ndegwa, one of the demonstrators, who has been living with the disease for 18 years.**** ** ** The Global Fund pays for about 40 percent of Kenya?s antiretroviral drugs, according to Nelson Otwoma, national coordinator of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya.**** ** ** Just over half of Kenyans needing treatment are currently receiving it ? some 400,000 people, he said.**** ** ** The Global Fund accounts for around a quarter of international financing to fight HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** TREATMENT AS PREVENTION**** Funding is being withdrawn at a critical time in the battle against HIV/AIDS, activists said.**** ** ** ?The concept now is treatment as prevention,? said Ndegwa.**** ** ** Recent scientific studies have shown that getting timely drug treatment to people living with HIV can significantly cut the number of new infections.** ** ** ** A person put on treatment earlier is 96 percent less likely to transmit the virus, and a dramatic increase in the number of people receiving treatment has cut mortality rates.**** ** ** In sub-Saharan Africa, treatment coverage increased by 30 percent in 2010, according to the medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres.**** ** ** MISUSE OF FUNDS**** An ongoing economic crisis hitting big donor countries has hit funding. But so has the fact that the credibility of the Global Fund has came into question**** ** ** Last year, the fund reported "grave misuse of funds" in four recipient nations, prompting donors such as Germany and Sweden to freeze their donations.**** ** ** And earlier this month its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, stepped down early following criticism over misuse of funds.**** ** ** However, campaigners said stepping up investment in the Global Fund now is important to save both lives and money in the long term.**** ** ** ?We want action now so that we don?t come to the stage where people are dying at the rate of (the) 1990s,? said Mugyenyi.**** ** ** *3* Helping HIV Patients in ****Lebanon******** Reuters AlertNet**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** It was a stormy January day, but ?M? had to pick up her kids early from school in order to make it on time for her appointment in Sin El Fil on time. The 45 year old mother of three is one of an estimated 3,600 persons living with HIV in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Public Health.**** ** ** Lebanon is considered one of the lower ranked countries when it comes to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. But, that does not diminish the challenges facing people living with HIV.**** ** ** ?I felt like I was going through hell,? M declares, as she recounts her experience with HIV/AIDS, including all the difficulty and suffering she endured before being correctly diagnosed. ?I suffered terribly for many months, all the while being unable to take care of myself and my children.?* *** ** ** When she finally knew she was HIV positive, her world ?turned upside down.? Even more, she was unable to share the news with anyone around her ?for fear of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS?. In fact, such stigma takes multiple severe forms in Lebanon, including social isolation, economic exclusion, and total abandonment. ?Only through the medical, social and human support of SIDC have I been able to stand on my two feet and resume leading a ?normal? life,? she declares.**** ** ** SIDC ? Soins Infirmiers et Developpement Communautaire ? is situated in a quiet neighborhood in Sin El Fil, East of Beirut. It was founded in 1987 with the mission of meeting ?the health needs of the youth, elderly and the most vulnerable individuals and groups in Lebanon through community empowerment?. Nadia Badran, Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS Program at SIDC, explains that the organization struggles to ?provide the much-needed support to persons living with HIV through various services, which include medication, psychological support, nutrition counseling, social guidance, home visits and peer education.?**** ** ** One of the major challenges that face persons living with HIV in Lebanon is access to healthcare and social services. Often organizations like SIDC provide these services, but operate on a very limited budget. That?s where ANERA has been able to help. Through its partnership with YMCA-Lebanon, ANERA recently delivered a much-needed donation of the anti-retroviral medicine Didanosine. . The 3,160 packages of Didanosine valued over $180,000 were kindly donated by AmeriCares Foundation. This is the third year in a row that ANERA has delivered life-saving anti-retroviral medicines donated by AmeriCares to SIDC, which have included Abacavir, Lamivudine, Nevirapine, Zidovudine, and Saquinavir.**** ** ** Nadia Badran adds, ?PLHIV has witnessed periods of medicine shortage in the past; having enough stock of medicines ensures medical and emotional stability for PLHIV?. ?But, it is our responsibility to make sure our beneficiaries know how to use their medicines and how to take care of themselves while using them.? **** ** ** ?We are happy to be able to contribute to alleviating the sufferings of people living with HIV/Aids in Lebanon,? adds Dima Zayat, ANERA?s medical in-kind program coordinator, ?We believe that people living with HIV have the right to work, family and access to health care.?**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** M?xico frente al VIH: un panorama adverso para 2012 **** ****El Universal**, **Mexico******** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Daniel Joloy **** *Director del ?rea Internacional de la CMDPDH. * ** ** El 2012 ha iniciado con noticias negativas en materia de VIH y derechos humanos que plantean a M?xico un panorama adverso para el futuro cercano. En d?as recientes, la CNDH report? un incremento en las violaciones a derechos humanos en contra de personas que viven con el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana-S?ndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (VIH-SIDA), as? como un mayor estigma y discriminaci?n en su contra. Por otro lado, a lo largo de 2011, fueron denunciados continuos desabastos de medicamentos antirretrovirales para su atenci?n y tratamiento, lo que demuestra que, contrario a lo que ha argumentado el Gobierno Federal, el acceso universal para este tipo de medicamentos a?n no est? garantizado. Aunado a todo ello, a partir de este a?o M?xico dejar? de recibir recursos del Fondo Mundial de la Lucha contra el SIDA, la malaria y la tuberculosis. **** ** ** Hoy en d?a viven en nuestro pa?s aproximadamente 225 mil personas portadoras del VIH, de quienes se estima que 80% son hombres. Seg?n estudios de la Secretar?a de Salud, cerca del 60% de quienes son portadores del VIH lo desconocen, y ?nicamente el 27% de los pacientes reciben tratamiento antirretroviral. **** ** ** Sin embargo, a pesar de que el total de casos acumulados en M?xico de personas que viven con VIH contin?a aumentando, a?n no est? garantizado el abasto permanente de medicamentos antirretrovirales para su tratamiento. Si bien en los ?ltimos cuatro a?os se duplic? el presupuesto destinado a la compra de medicinas para controlar el VIH, el acceso a un tratamiento adecuado no est? garantizado, seg?n las propias declaraciones del Centro Nacional para la Prevenci?n y Control del SIDA (Censida). **** ** ** La cancelaci?n de la Ronda 11 del Fondo Mundial y la disminuci?n de los recursos financieros internacionales para solventar programas de prevenci?n y atenci?n del VIH exigen de nuestras autoridades la elaboraci?n de una nueva estrategia que permita contar con los recursos adecuados para garantizar, por un lado, la atenci?n adecuada a todas las personas que viven con VIH-SIDA en M?xico, y por el otro, contar con programas efectivos de prevenci?n del VIH. **** ** ** Es fundamental para ello hacer un an?lisis de fondo sobre las estrategias de prevenci?n y control del VIH las cuales se han centrado hist?ricamente en grupos particulares, o ?poblaciones en riesgo?, tales como los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), trabajadores y trabajadoras sexuales (TS) y usuarias y usuarios de drogas inyectables (UDI). Sin embargo, ante las adversidades que se prev?n en el panorama, resulta urgente generar pol?ticas p?blicas sectorizadas por grupo poblacional que vayan m?s all? de las generalidades grupales dirigidas a cambiar patrones de conducta. **** ** ** Es particularmente necesario desarrollar pol?ticas p?blicas de prevenci?n que genuinamente incorporen una perspectiva de derechos humanos y un enfoque de g?nero para fomentar un cambio en los patrones de conducta y evitar as? conductas riesgosas que faciliten la transmisi?n del VIH. Se requiere transitar de un enfoque de ?poblaciones en riesgo? hacia un enfoque preventivo que evite las ?pr?cticas de riesgo?. **** ** ** Para ello, resulta fundamental analizar a profundidad los efectos reales de los programas y pol?ticas p?blicas implementadas hasta la fecha para evitar futuras transmisiones del VIH. Si bien las estrategias de atenci?n al VIH-SIDA han estado en cierto modo focalizadas a grupos particulares que por sus conductas regulares presentan una mayor vulnerabilidad de contagio, a?n es necesario entender y analizar dichos programas seg?n las pr?cticas de riesgo en las que incurren, m?s all? de su propia pertenencia a dicho sector poblacional. **** ** ** Para alcanzar dicho objetivo se requieren pol?ticas de prevenci?n libres de estereotipos y que tomen en cuenta la diversidad sexual, ponderando ante todo el respeto por los derechos humanos y la perspectiva de g?nero, factores fundamentales para la correcta elaboraci?n de una pol?tica p?blica que pueda ser realmente efectiva en la prevenci?n de lo que ha sido por los ?ltimos a?os el mayor problema de salud p?blica a nivel mundial. **** ** ** El Estado mexicano tiene la obligaci?n de implementar pol?ticas p?blicas progresivas que garanticen el tratamiento y cuidado de la salud de todas las personas que viven con VIH-SIDA, la cual debe de incluir pol?ticas de prevenci?n, atenci?n, tratamiento y control de la infecci?n para garantizar la m?s alta calidad de vida de las y los usuarios del sector salud. El desabasto en medicamentos b?sicos para la atenci?n y tratamiento del VIH, as? como el aumento de violaciones a derechos humanos relacionadas con el estigma y la discriminaci?n, pone de manifiesto el incumplimiento de nuestras autoridades en materia de acceso a la salud y VIH. **** ** ** *2**4***** Cuba: una eficaz estrategia en la lucha contra el SIDA. **** Radio ****Habana**, **Cuba******** 26/01/2012**** ** ** Por Mar?a Josefina Arce.**** ** ** El Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo apoya la lucha contra el SIDA en 17 pa?ses, entre ellos Cuba, que se ubica entre los de mejores resultados en el enfrentamiento a esa enfermedad que desde su aparici?n en el siglo pasado no ha dejado de hacer estragos entre la poblaci?n mundial.** ** ** ** M?s de treinta millones de personas han muerto en el planeta desde que hace tres d?cadas se conoci? el primer caso. Actualmente millones de personas viven con la enfermedad.**** ** ** Basada fundamentalmente en la prevenci?n, promoci?n y educaci?n sexual la estrategia de la Mayor de las Antillas ha posibilitado que califique entre las naciones de Latinoam?rica con m?s bajo ?ndice de infestados con el virus.**** ** ** Carlos Cort?s Falla, asesor principal en Cuba del Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo, reconoci? en La Habana la eficacia de la prevenci?n del VIH SIDA en el archipi?lago cubano, por lo que la instituci?n que representa decidi? extender hasta el 2014 su financiamiento a las estrategias de respuesta al VIH-Sida en el pa?s.**** ** ** Representantes de esa entidad y del Fondo Global han destacado el buen uso que hace Cuba de los recursos que recibe, los cuales destina al tratamiento de los infestados, quienes reciben de manera gratuita y sistem?tica los costos?simos medicamentos antirretrovirales, en cualquiera de las 320 unidades m?dicas que ofrecen este servicio a la largo del pa?s.**** ** ** Tambi?n los fondos que se reciben se destinan a evitar la propagaci?n de la pandemia. En ese camino tienen gran importancia el desarrollo en Cuba de sistem?ticas campa?as informativas y de orientaci?n, en las que participan organizaciones de masas y diversas instituciones. Gracias a este esfuerzo se ha logrado romper muchos tab?es imperantes en la sociedad cubana, y que a la larga, pod?an aumentar el riesgo de un contagio.**** ** ** Fundamentales han sido los promotores voluntarios, que sin recibir remuneraci?n, motivados ya sea por solidaridad o por experiencias personales o de amigos y familiares, dedican parte de su tiempo a distintos proyectos encaminados a prevenir y evitar la propagaci?n del SIDA.**** ** ** Tambi?n ha sido esencial el servicio especializado que funciona en cada una de las provincias del pa?s, las llamadas Consejer?as An?nimas, que adem?s de brindar informaci?n especializada, ofrece ayuda psicol?gica, emocional, y, en caso de ser necesario, agiliza la aplicaci?n de la prueba r?pida de detecci?n del virus.**** ** ** Todav?a queda mucho por hacer, pues aunque gracias al accionar del pa?s, las v?as de transmisi?n sangu?nea y materno-infantil, han sido eliminadas como problemas de salud, todav?a se mantiene el eventual contagio por la sexual. De ah? que las autoridades no descuiden la labor preventiva y de educaci?n para motivar acciones responsables, fundamentalmente entre los m?s j?venes.**** ** ** En la lucha contra el sida es v?lido tambi?n el consejo de Jos? Mart? en el sentido de que "la mejor medicina no es la que cura, sino la que precave".** ** ** ** *5* ****Guyana**** health ministry to focus on STIs overshadowed by HIV**** ****Stabroek News**, **Guyana******** 28/01/2012**** ** ** By Stabroek staff**** ** ** Guyana?s first comprehensive Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Strategic Plan is now a reality and the Ministry of Health is developing a two-year work schedule that will focus on the priority areas.**** ** ** The plan, which will place more focus on diseases that have been overshadowed by HIV, was in the making since last year and is now set to be implemented by 2020. It is expected to assist health officials in addressing STIs in the same way HIV has been addressed.**** ** ** On Friday 27 January, the ministry held a workshop at the Grand Coastal Inn, by the end of which key stakeholders would have assisted in identifying the priority area to focus on first.**** ** ** According to Head of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) Dr Shanti Singh, HIV is just one of many STIs, which are significant and have life-threatening consequences.**** ** ** It is what stakeholders learnt from the HIV programme that triggered the STI strategic plan. Singh said the plan, along with its monitoring and evaluation, will be the road map to organizing a response to the other STIs, similar to the HIV response.**** ** ** ?So it?s really bringing all the other sexually transmitted infections that traditionally a lot of persons would go over the counter and just buy a red and black capsule [for treatment]; it is really bringing the focus on some of those things that needs to be streamlined,? she added.**** ** ** Dr Singh said the streamlining would include looking at how the STIs are managed and also how they progress; contact tracing; and partner notification.**** ** ** The plan also will bring together all of the ministry?s efforts in the area and coordinate one standard of care across the health sector and the ministry will seek to work closely with the private sector and the non-governmental organisations.**** ** ** The strategy has identified five priority areas: the strengthening of STI programme management and coordination; promoting healthy sexual behaviours to reduce the transmission of STIs; expanding access to STI prevention, care and treatment in the health sector; increasing access to medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and laboratory support; and improving the availability of strategic information.**** ** ** At a workshop last year, which had looked at the draft of the plan, it was stated that it was in recognition of the serious health, social, emotional and economic consequences of STIs that a strategic plan was developed by the Ministry of Health. The ministry, through NAPS, is committed to providing national leadership in collaboration with local, regional, national and international partners to develop the plan to manage and prevent STIs in Guyana.**** ** ** The main goal is to ?reduce the transmission and morbidity and mortality caused by STIs and to minimise the personal and social impact of the infections.?**** ** ** A 2004 study had found that awareness of STIs among the most at-risk populations was generally high, with rates of ?self-reported leak and genital sores/boils? noted among female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM) and in school youth, with the lowest rates seen for the military and police. However, according to the draft plan, there was no baseline information on STI knowledge and behaviour in the general population and very limited data is available on the prevalence of specific STIs in either the general population or in higher risk groups, such as female sex workers and MSM.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** AIDS Prevention Inspires Ways to Make Circumcisions Easier**** The New York Times**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.**** ** ** The day of the assembly-line circumcision is drawing closer. **** ** ** Now that three studies have shown that circumcising adult heterosexual men is one of the most effective ?vaccines? against AIDS ? reducing the chances of infection by 60 percent or more ? public health experts are struggling to find ways to make the process faster, cheaper and safer. **** ** ** The goal is to circumcise 20 million African men by 2015, but only about 600,000 have had the operation thus far. Even a skilled surgeon takes about 15 minutes, most African countries are desperately short of surgeons, and there is no Mohels Without Borders. **** ** ** So donors are pinning their hopes on several devices now being tested to speed things up. **** ** ** Dr. Stefano Bertozzi, director of H.I.V. for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said it had its eyes on two, named PrePex and the Shang Ring, and was supporting efforts by the World Health Organization to evaluate them. **** ** ** Circumcision is believe to protect heterosexual men because the foreskin has many Langerhans cells, which pick up viruses and ?present? them to the immune system ? which H.I.V. attacks. **** ** ** PrePex, invented in 2009 by four Israelis after one of them, a urologist, heard an appeal for doctors to do circumcisions in Africa, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration three weeks ago. The W.H.O. will make a decision on it soon, said Mitchell Warren, an AIDS-prevention expert who closely follows the process. **** ** ** >From the initial safety studies done so far, PrePex is clearly faster, less painful and more bloodless than any of its current rivals. And it relies on the simplest and least-threatening technology ? a rubber band. **** ** ** The band compresses the foreskin against a plastic ring slipped inside it; the foreskin dies within hours for lack of blood and, after a week, falls off or can be clipped off ?like a fingernail,? said Tzameret Fuerst, the company?s chief executive officer, who compared the process to the stump of an umbilical cord?s shriveling up and dropping off a few days after it is clamped. **** ** ** It is done with topical anesthetic cream, and there is usually no bleeding. And PrePex can be put in place and removed by nurses with about three days? training. **** ** ** The rings come in five sizes, A through E, Ms. Fuerst said, ?and you won?t believe how high-tech the rubber band is.? Each size must apply just enough pressure to cut off blood flow without being tight enough to cause pain. *** * ** ** The W.H.O., Mr. Warren said, is also evaluating the Shang Ring, a plastic two-ring clamp developed in China to treat conditions in which the foreskin becomes so tight that it cuts off urination. **** ** ** However, it requires cutting off the excess foreskin beyond the clamp, which means the circumciser must inject anesthetics directly into the penis and groin, wait for them to take effect, create a sterile surgical field and be trained in minor surgery. **** ** ** ?The Shang is not as fast, but it?s faster than full-fledged surgery,? Mr. Warren said. ?And it hasn?t submitted as much safety data.? **** ** ** In a safety study presented at an AIDS conference last month, scientists from Rwanda?s health ministry said they had used PrePex to circumcise 590 men. Only two had ?moderate? complications; one was fixed with a single suture, and one required a new band in a different spot. **** ** ** According to Dr. Jason Reed, an epidemiologist in the global AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 of 590, or 0.34 percent, is a tenth the typical complication rate of surgical circumcision. **** ** ** None of the men became infected. **** ** ** On the 10-point pain scale, they reported on average only about 1 when the ring was placed and only 3 when it was removed (about the same level of pain caused by erections during the week they wore it). **** ** ** By the end of the study, the two-nurse teams could do a procedure in three minutes. **** ** ** By contrast, Dr. Reed said, the best surgical ?assembly lines? ? a practice being pioneered in Africa with American taxpayer support ? can get down to seven minutes per patient, but only by getting six nurses and a surgeon into a tight harmony?.*continued.* See Full Text: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/health/aids-prevention-inspires-ways-to-simplify-circumcision.html?pagewanted=1&sq=aids&st=cse&scp=3 **** ** ** *2* New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect**** The New York Times**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By Yasmeen Khan**** ** ** Truth or myth?**** ** ** Girls can?t get pregnant the first time they have sex. (Myth.) **** ** ** Using a latex condom correctly every time you have sexual intercourse is very effective in preventing H.I.V. (Truth.)**** ** ** Now that New York City has mandated lessons on sexual health, starting this semester students in health classes may go through similar exercises in truths vs. myths when talking about preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. During a unit on abstinence, they may role-play a situation where a student resists pressure to have sex. Or they may read about developing healthy relationships and raising self-esteem. *** * ** ** Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott announced in August that public middle schools and high schools would be required to fold sex education lessons into existing health classes, which already cover topics like nutrition, physical activity and preventing injuries. **** ** ** New York State requires that students receive at least a semester of health education in either sixth or seventh grade and again in either ninth or 10th grade. But those health classes didn?t have to include sex education. * *** ** ** Some districts took extra steps, and many schools voluntarily added sexual health to their curriculums, including here in New York City. But not all of them. That led to concerns by advocates of sex education, including Planned Parenthood, that the city lacked a consistent approach.**** ** ** The new sex education mandate takes effect this spring term, which begins on Tuesday for high school students. **** ** ** Q.What will be taught?**** A.The city?s Department of Education does not mandate that schools use a certain curriculum, but it does recommend one: HealthSmart for middle school students. For high school students, it recommends HealthSmart alongside a book called ?Reducing the Risk.? **** ** ** The Education Department tailored the national versions for New York City, so that the materials would not overlap with existing lessons on H.I.V. New York State already requires that all schools provide education on H.I.V./AIDS for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.**** ** ** City education officials offer guidelines on what should be covered as part of sexual health education. **** ** ** Depending on the child?s grade, topics would include physiology and understanding the male and female reproductive systems; recognizing healthy and unhealthy relationships; sexuality and sexual identity; handling unwanted sexual advances; the benefits of abstinence; birth control methods; and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. **** ** ** For instance, in a lesson on abstinence in HealthSmart, one worksheet asks students to write a letter to a sixth-grade student explaining why he or she should wait to have sex. In the curriculum?s unit on sexuality, the teacher?s manual asks that teachers welcome questions and ?demonstrate openness and acceptance? with words, tone and facial expressions. **** ** ** Teachers may verbalize how to use condoms correctly. Condom demonstrations are only allowed in health resource rooms in high schools.**** ** ** Lessons are meant to be co-ed.**** ** ** Q.What parts of the curriculum can (or cannot) parents opt out of? **** A.Some parent groups have criticized the city?s new policy, saying it is too graphic or that they would prefer abstinence-only lessons. Parents who object to lessons on birth control and preventing S.T.D.?s can write a letter to their child?s principal to opt out of some classes. The letter must stipulate that students will receive that instruction at home.**** ** ** Parents cannot opt out of lessons on abstinence or sexual health education.* *** ** ** Education officials say it is up to schools to communicate with parents about what is being taught and when. Principals must send a notification letter about the new sex education mandate home.**** ** ** Q.Who will teach these classes?**** A.In middle and high schools, health classes must be taught by a licensed health teacher. Education officials say the department?s Office of School Wellness Programs is providing free training on the recommended sex education curriculum to teachers and administrators. **** *3* Ten Years of The Global Fund: a Crossroads and a Choice**** Huffington Post**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Nancy Mahon and Kevin Robert Frost**** ** ** Ten years ago, 19,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa were the first to receive free HIV treatment. That was 0.1% of all the people living with HIV in the region that year. Paying for these drugs was a bold move by the Botswana government -- one that said to the world, "We're not going to wait for you to help us" -- but it wasn't nearly enough to begin to end the epidemic. **** ** ** Thankfully, the people of Botswana didn't have to go it alone. Days after their government announced that it would begin paying for treatment, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created. Now, a decade later, more than 5 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa (almost 7 million worldwide) are receiving life-saving treatment thanks to the Global Fund and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). **** ** ** It's easy to take this accomplishment for granted, but treatment everywhere in the world has been the result of an unprecedented collaboration between advocates, healthcare workers, and governments alike. Thanks to private individuals, celebrities, corporations, and other donors, organizations including our own and the Global Fund have been able to discover more effective HIV technologies, reduce the price of drugs, and deliver treatment and care to those in need. From the Caribbean to Asia, millions of lives have been saved by the generosity of people everywhere in the world. **** ** ** Since 2002, the Global Fund has distributed more than $22 billion in grants to 150 countries. As a result, 3.3 million people have received HIV treatment and more than 1 million pregnant women have received the drugs they needed to prevent HIV infection in their babies. These results aren't exclusive to HIV, though: More than 230 million people have received treatment for malaria and 7.7 million for tuberculosis over the last decade. **** ** ** Ten years of hard work. Millions of lives saved. This should be a moment to celebrate. Unfortunately, the fight begins again. **** ** ** Economic uncertainty and donor skittishness have combined to threaten the future of the Global Fund. For the first time since 2002, the Fund has had to cancel any new grant making due to a lack of resources. While millions will continue to receive the benefit of current programs, progress will stagnate. On top of this, news of a transition in leadership at the Global Fund has created anxiety where none is required. **** ** ** This couldn't come at a worse time. Recent science has shown us that we have the power to end the AIDS epidemic. Last May, researchers discovered that early initiation of HIV treatment can reduce the chance that a partner will become infected with HIV by 96%. Scientific knowledge of HIV and its vulnerabilities has advanced to the point where we can not only save lives, but we can begin to end the disease all together. To do so, we must expand treatment now, everywhere to everyone. Ending the AIDS epidemic is no longer a hopeful metaphor -- it is a choice. Do we begin to end this disease now, or do we blithely pass it on to future generations?**** ** ** The Obama Administration has made its decision, calling for an "AIDS-Free Generation" on World AIDS Day 2011 and recommitting to the Global Fund and PEPFAR as equally important partners. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Saudi Arabian Government have as well; each recently announced additional resources for the Global Fund to ensure it can continue doing its work. **** ** ** Last week the world marked the 10th anniversary of the Global Fund. We must use the momentum from this moment to make the choice starkly clear. As a global community, we can act on our new knowledge and make the relatively modest investments in the Global Fund that could genuinely herald the end of the global AIDS epidemic. Or we can back away from our commitments and starve this extraordinary collaborative enterprise of the resources it needs to succeed, thereby depriving millions of men, women, and children of life-saving programs. It is really that simple.**** ** ** We ask you, in recognition of the 10th anniversary, wherever you are in the world, to add your voice in support of the Global Fund. Urge your legislators to renew their support for the Global Fund. Tell everyone in your neighborhood or apartment, village or town, on Facebook and Twitter: I support the Global Fund. Remind them that the failure of the Global Fund will be a collective failure of humanity to bring an end to a global epidemic that has already killed 30 million people worldwide.**** ** ** *About amfAR* *amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide. * * * *About M?A?C AIDS Fund* *The M?A?C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M?A?C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. The M?A?C AIDS Fund is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, the M?A?C AIDS Fund is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, The M?A?C AIDS Fund has raised $235 million (USD) exclusively through the sale of M?A?C's VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information visit http://www.macaidsfund.org.** *** *4* Design chosen for NYC AIDS memorial park **** Associated Press**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** *Story carried by The Wall Street Journal* ** ** NEW YORK ? A design called "Infinite Forest" is being proposed for an AIDS memorial park in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.**** ** ** The design by a team of architects at Studio a+i features groves of trees and mirrored glass surfaces.**** ** ** It won a competition held by a group campaigning to place a memorial in a triangle across from the former St. Vincent's Hospital.**** ** ** The Rudin Management Company, which bought the land after the hospital's bankruptcy, has already received partial city approval to place a park in the space. If the plans are changed substantially, that approval process would have to begin again.**** ** ** Bill Rudin says the park design on track for approval allows for a commemoration of those impacted by AIDS. He says his company will continue working "with all stakeholders?**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* ** ** ========================**** ** ** UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation **** UNAIDS**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to anchor ** Africa**?s development to the respect for human rights. ?The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a promise to all people in all places at all times,? said Mr Ban at the 18th annual meeting of the African Union.**** ** ** Mr Ban noted that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is one of the injustices that has been ignored or even sanctioned by many States. ?This has prompted some governments to treat people as second-class citizens, or even criminals. Confronting this discrimination is a challenge. But we must live up to the ideals of the Universal Declaration,? said Mr Ban.**** ** ** Currently, an estimated 76 countries and areas worldwide have laws that criminalize same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults??five impose the death penalty. UNAIDS considers the criminalization of people based on their sexual orientation a denial of human rights and a threat to public health in the context of the HIV response. Such discriminatory laws drive people underground and create obstacles for people accessing HIV services.**** ** ** Countries such as the **US** and ****UK**** have already modified their provision of foreign aid to ensure that the rights of sexual minorities are being respected. These countries will use their assistance to protect human rights and advance non-discrimination, and will work with international organizations to end discrimination against gays and lesbians.**** ** ** In 2009 the Delhi High Court overturned a law that criminalized consensual adult sexual behaviour. This stand was also supported by the Government of India in its affidavit filed with the Supreme Court. But not all countries are following ****India****?s approach.**** ** ** In June 2010, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support of the UNAIDS Secretariat, launched the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. The Commission?s aim is to increase understanding of the impact of the legal environment on national HIV responses. Its aim is to focus on how laws and law enforcement can support, rather than block, effective HIV responses.**** ** ** UNAIDS urges all governments to ensure full respect for the human rights of men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgendered people through repealing laws that prohibit sexual acts between consenting adults in private; enforcing laws to protect these groups from violence and discrimination; promoting campaigns that address homophobia and transphobia; and ensuring that crucial health needs are met.**** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/5bb5ae85/attachment-0003.html From vern.weitzel at gmail.com Wed Feb 1 17:29:13 2012 From: vern.weitzel at gmail.com (vern weitzel) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 04:29:13 +1100 Subject: [hivaids-twg] TANZANIA: Good results in programme to boost TB detection In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 02/02/2012, at 3:29 AM, Phi Huynhdo wrote: TANZANIA: Good results in programme to boost TB detection Photo: David Gough/IRIN Better TB case detection would improve the country's treatment and prevention programmes (file photo) ARUSHA, 1 February 2012 (IRIN PlusNews) - A pilot community programme to improve TB detection in northern Tanzania has shown good results and could be replicated nationwide as the country seeks to improve its TB treatment and prevention systems. Tanzania has been battling TB for years, a struggle intensified by the parallel HIV epidemic; approximately 47 percent of new adult cases in the country are HIV-positive. Without proper treatment, about nine in 10 people living with HIV who become ill with active TB will die within two to three months, according to UNAIDS. The programme, which ran from April to September 2011, systemized the way suspected TB cases were reported and handled. It encouraged healthcare professionals to work closely with community leaders to raise awareness of symptoms at every opportunity, such as at village meetings. It also used posters and slogans to make sure high-risk groups were aware of symptoms. This produced more patient referrals to health centres for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Another crucial part of the TB pilot project was the creation of a "cough register" in each area, recording who was referred to a healthcare professional for further testing, by whom and the results of that referral. Management Science for Health collaborated with the NGO, PATH, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, at 12 health facilities in northern Tanzania's Arusha and Meru district councils. A crucial tenet of the programme was emphasising that TB and HIV treatment must be done "hand in hand". *Results* "In both districts the standard operating procedure intervention has improved TB case notification in children and women," said Zahra Mkome, director, TB/HIV projects at PATH in Tanzania. "[It] improved team work, commitment, motivation of healthcare workers, awareness and involvement of communities in TB control activities." An evaluation comparing six months of TB case notification before and after the project showed a 54 percent increase in detection of TB in all forms in Meru, while in Arusha it increased by 117 percent. The standard operating procedure ?rules? were used to provide clear and simple instructions to the health workers on how to improve TB case detection at different units and sections within health facilities, both outpatient and inpatient departments. Each area was provided with a plan and goals to implement their strategy, plus additional equipment to aid diagnosis such as paediatric score charts. Each area appointed a task force for TB treatment and these groups were encouraged to hold regular feedback meetings. Little data exists on the scale of the TB epidemic in Tanzania, and experts believe the records created by this system could prove a crucial tool in combating its spread and establishing where it is already most prevalent. One doctor based in a rural practice was particularly encouraged by the increased reporting of paediatric cases. He said some children suffering severe respiratory distress had been saved, "who in normal circumstances would have died". A number of the clinicians involved attributed an increase in notification of cases in the under-16 age group specifically to the wider use of paediatric diagnostic score charts. However, several challenges were flagged during the pilot: healthcare workers at Arusha's Selian Hospital said there was an urgent need to strengthen laboratory services to help confirm diagnoses; a lack of microscopes in labs and delays in issuing results were also highlighted. More on TB HEALTH: TB programming, research slowed by inadequate funding KENYA: Stigma holding back the fight against TB HEALTH: What's new in TB technology? SOUTHERN AFRICA: Door-to-door outreach cuts TB prevalence Drug-Resistant TB*Challenges to scale-up* Rolling out the rules on a national scale could also prove challenging as the majority of Tanzanians live in very rural areas and a poor road network means access to healthcare is limited. Mobile diagnosis and training centres that offer new methods of testing - for example, with the use of fluorescence microscopes- could make diagnosis much faster and more accurate. "Patients in Tanzania often have to travel very long distances as most live in rural areas, which costs them money to travel every day and some are essentially too week to go on their own as a very large number are already suffering from the weakness that comes with HIV," said Alex Schulzer of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, which runs patient-centred TB programmes with the government. A shortage of medical professionals could also hinder the expansion of the programme; Schulzer recommended the use of lower cadre health workers and the community itself to fill gaps. The Novartis programme gives patients the choice to either take the daily treatment at a health facility under the supervision of a medical professional, or at home, supported by a family or community member. In the case of home-based treatment, the patient and treatment supporter are required to visit the health facility once a week during the two-month intensive phase to refill prescriptions and see a medical professional. Schulzer said the programme had created a system that gave patients "the freedom not to have to walk miles to the clinic every day. "We also needed to relieve some of the healthcare providers who cannot cope with such large patient numbers on a daily basis," he added. ah/kr/mw From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Thu Feb 2 01:45:19 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:45:19 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (2012.02.01ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E20310361A@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E20310361A@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: ** Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. Star ****Africa** - HIV ? AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST * 1. IRIN PlusNews - ****TANZANIA****: Good results in programme to boost TB detection **** 2. New Times, **Rwanda** - ****Rwanda****: Nyagatare Men Avoiding HIV Tests* *** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* 1. The Hindu, ****India**** - Reform of laws on HIV sought**** 2. ****Kangla Online**, **India**** - `Many children in Manipur die of HIV, untested and untreated` **** ** ** ***EUROPE***** 1. Nature - Global health hits crisis point **** 2. The Observer - Global health hits crisis point **** 3. The Guardian - Put planet and its people at the core of sustainable development, urges report **** 4. Financial Times - The Global Fund must come of age (Editorial) **** ** ** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. Nuevo D?a, Pto Rico - Beneficios para pacientes de VIH/SIDA **** 2. Cambio de Michuac?n, Mexico - Balance del gobierno 2008-2012 y disidentes sexuales **** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** 1. TIME Magazine - Can New Circumcision Devices Help Fight AIDS in **Africa* *?**** 2. Sun Herald - AIDS treatment on Indian reservations clouded by secrets, stigma**** 3. Carin?s New York Business - Coming soon: over-the-counter oral AIDS test **** 4. Associated Press - SAfrica recalls 1.35 million condoms handed out during ANC celebrations over claims of flaws**** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* 1. UNAIDS ? Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair **** ** ** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** HIV ? AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)**** Star **Africa****** 01/02/2012**** ** ** ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) held its General Assembly, today 30 January 2012, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: ?An HIV/AIDS free tomorrow needs caring men and women today?. **** ** ** The OAFLA General Assembly was chaired by Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union. **** ** ** The First Lady of Ethiopia, Mrs Azeb Mesfin was the first to address the audience in her capacity of hostess and former President of OAFLA. She stated that her three years as president of OAFLA gave her a lot of pride, OAFLA being a real step up for the role of First Ladies. According to First Lady Mesfin, the association not only fights against AIDS but also promotes values such as peace, good governance and women empowerment. She explained that, First Ladies have the capacity to influence change through their collective voices, ?they have become the voice of the most vulnerable?, she noted. Mrs. Mesfin underlined the necessity to empower women, as empowerment is the key to protect them from HIV/AIDS. **** ** ** Mrs Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and President of the OAFLA welcomed newcomers. They are: the First Ladies of Cape Verde, Comoros, Southern Sudan, and Zambia. She commended the establishment of a permanent Secretariat for the association in 2009 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and the record attendance during a meeting of the technical advisers which took place last week in Addis Ababa. The meeting grouped 21 advisers sent by the First Ladies. The President of OAFLA then summarized the main achievements during her mandate including: the reduction of Mother to Child Transmission, the promotion of effective communication, advocacy, networking and mobilization of resources and the revitalization of the OAFLA membership. When concluding her speech, she recalled the importance of having an inclusive, comprehensive and flexible agenda in order to include other issues such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, gender-based violence and poverty. ?OAFLA can no longer only be about HIV/AIDS?, she said. **** ** ** Mrs Ban Soon-Taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary General, was the guest of honor at the AOFLA General Assembly. in her speech, Mrs. Ban stated that, the momentum is building and the support for this project is increasing, therefore an AIDS free generation can be reality in a few years. She said saving the lives of children and their mothers is the main goal. ?The improvement of reproductive health services? she said, was also a means to decrease vulnerability factors while highlighting the advantages of couple oriented solutions and the need to have high profile champions in all countries to lead the process in the sensitization campaign. **** ** ** Addressing the African First Ladies, Commissioner Gawanas underlined men involvement in the fight against AIDS. She said men are often blamed and left out when they also have sexual and reproductive health needs that have to be addressed. She recalled the campaign against HIV-AIDS and the effort of the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union to eradicate mother to child transmission to zero. **** ** ** Mr. Michel Sidib?, Executive Director of UNAIDS, on his part, assured the OAFLA members of his support. He congratulated the First Ladies for their efforts aimed at bringing a change in the way people perceived the pandemic and how this has improved the lives of many. He underscored the importance for African countries to look for its own source of financing. ?We are now going through a ?Make it or Break it? phase and we need to find ways to produce our own drugs and look into ways to transfer technologies?, he reiterated. **** ** ** Other key speakers at the General Assembly of OAFLA include: the UNFPA Country Representative and Representative to AU and ECA, Mr. Beno?t Kalasa, RAND Cooperation Representative with OAFLA Dr. Gery Ryan and African AIDS Vaccine Partnership Executive Director Dr. Chidi Victor Nweneka. **** Provided by PR Newswire **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ****TANZANIA****: Good results in programme to boost TB detection **** IRIN PlusNews**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** ARUSHA, 1 February 2012 (PlusNews) - A pilot community programme to improve TB detection in northern Tanzania has shown good results and could be replicated nationwide as the country seeks to improve its TB treatment and prevention systems. **** ** ** Tanzania has been battling TB for years, a struggle intensified by the parallel HIV epidemic; approximately 47 percent of new adult cases in the country are HIV-positive. Without proper treatment, about nine in 10 people living with HIV who become ill with active TB will die within two to three months, according to UNAIDS. **** ** ** The programme, which ran from April to September 2011, systemized the way suspected TB cases were reported and handled. It encouraged healthcare professionals to work closely with community leaders to raise awareness of symptoms at every opportunity, such as at village meetings. It also used posters and slogans to make sure high-risk groups were aware of symptoms. This produced more patient referrals to health centres for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. **** ** ** Another crucial part of the TB pilot project was the creation of a "cough register" in each area, recording who was referred to a healthcare professional for further testing, by whom and the results of that referral. **** ** ** Management Science for Health collaborated with the NGO, PATH, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, at 12 health facilities in northern Tanzania's Arusha and Meru district councils. A crucial tenet of the programme was emphasising that TB and HIV treatment must be done "hand in hand". **** ** ** Results **** "In both districts the standard operating procedure intervention has improved TB case notification in children and women," said Zahra Mkome, director, TB/HIV projects at PATH in Tanzania. "[It] improved team work, commitment, motivation of healthcare workers, awareness and involvement of communities in TB control activities." **** ** ** An evaluation comparing six months of TB case notification before and after the project showed a 54 percent increase in detection of TB in all forms in Meru, while in Arusha it increased by 117 percent. **** ** ** The standard operating procedure ?rules? were used to provide clear and simple instructions to the health workers on how to improve TB case detection at different units and sections within health facilities, both outpatient and inpatient departments. Each area was provided with a plan and goals to implement their strategy, plus additional equipment to aid diagnosis such as paediatric score charts. Each area appointed a task force for TB treatment and these groups were encouraged to hold regular feedback meetings. **** ** ** Little data exists on the scale of the TB epidemic in Tanzania, and experts believe the records created by this system could prove a crucial tool in combating its spread and establishing where it is already most prevalent. ** ** ** ** One doctor based in a rural practice was particularly encouraged by the increased reporting of paediatric cases. He said some children suffering severe respiratory distress had been saved, "who in normal circumstances would have died". A number of the clinicians involved attributed an increase in notification of cases in the under-16 age group specifically to the wider use of paediatric diagnostic score charts. **** ** ** However, several challenges were flagged during the pilot: healthcare workers at Arusha's Selian Hospital said there was an urgent need to strengthen laboratory services to help confirm diagnoses; a lack of microscopes in labs and delays in issuing results were also highlighted. *** * ** ** Challenges to scale-up **** Rolling out the rules on a national scale could also prove challenging as the majority of Tanzanians live in very rural areas and a poor road network means access to healthcare is limited. **** ** ** Mobile diagnosis and training centres that offer new methods of testing - for example, with the use of fluorescence microscopes - could make diagnosis much faster and more accurate. **** ** ** "Patients in Tanzania often have to travel very long distances as most live in rural areas, which costs them money to travel every day and some are essentially too week to go on their own as a very large number are already suffering from the weakness that comes with HIV," said Alex Schulzer of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, which runs patient-centred TB programmes with the government. **** ** ** A shortage of medical professionals could also hinder the expansion of the programme; Schulzer recommended the use of lower cadre health workers and the community itself to fill gaps. The Novartis programme gives patients the choice to either take the daily treatment at a health facility under the supervision of a medical professional, or at home, supported by a family or community member. In the case of home-based treatment, the patient and treatment supporter are required to visit the health facility once a week during the two-month intensive phase to refill prescriptions and see a medical professional. **** ** ** Schulzer said the programme had created a system that gave patients "the freedom not to have to walk miles to the clinic every day. **** ** ** "We also needed to relieve some of the healthcare providers who cannot cope with such large patient numbers on a daily basis," he added**** ** ** *2* ****Rwanda****: Nyagatare Men Avoiding HIV Tests**** New Times, ****Rwanda******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By Dan Ngabonziza**** ** ** Nyagatare ? Many men in Nyagatare District are avoiding free voluntary HIV tests with their spouses despite mass sensitisation campaigns carried out by health officials.**** ** ** Most of married men who talked to The New Times in Karama Sector, preferred seeking the tests without their spouses to avoid squabbles in the family.*** * ** ** "It would turn violent if I go for HIV test with my wife and my results turn positive when she is negative. I would rather go for the test alone," affirmed Jean de la Paix Sindayigaya, a resident of Kabuga Cell.**** ** ** "I just secretly go for HIV test without informing my spouse. This becomes easy forme to handle her in case the tests results are positive".**** ** ** However, the head of Voluntary HIV Testing and Counselling at Kabuga Health Centre in Karama Sector, Donat Mubangizi, explained that it was advisable for couples to go for HIV tests together.**** ** ** "This helps us to counsel them on how they should live the rest of life in case they test HIV positive. Residents should be convinced that an HIV-positive person can even live for many years if he or she seeks counselling from health officials," he observed.**** ** ** It emerged that apart from some men who decline to accompany their spouses for testing, others just shun the test all together.**** ** ** "Some men believe that if a woman goes for HIV test and tests negative, they are also negative. That's why a big number of them (men) don't go for HIV test," noted another resident.**** ** ** Health officials in the sector believe that new HIV infections in the sector have drastically been checked as a result of mass campaigns conducted under a new project: "Behaviour Change and Social Marketing (BCSM)" which operates under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church.**** ** ** Over 121 couples in the sector sought free HIV test last week during the project's mass campaign in the 14 sectors of the district.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** Reform of laws on HIV sought**** The Hindu, ****India******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** STAFF REPORTER**** ** ** Chennai - Every time Priya goes to the airport, she hopes the security guy at the gate does not know to read Tamil. With a voter ID card that says male in Tamil and female in English, she, as a transgender, faces the problem of having multiple identities, and she is certainly not alone.**** ** ** People belonging to the transgender community like Priya were among the participants at a regional consultation organised by the V-Community Action Network and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law and UNAIDS Technical Support Facility for South Asia that took place here on Tuesday. Over 60 persons, including commercial sex workers, transgenders, people living with HIV and Men having Sex with Men (MSM) participated.**** ** ** ?Tamil Nadu may have been the frontrunner in improving the lives of the transgender community, but the focus has been more on the welfare, not on legal policies. Proper implementation of policies is what we want,? said S. Noori, president of the South India Positive Network.**** ** ** Members of the community highlighted their concerns, including the need for social protection and scientific sex change operations. ?The Transgender Welfare Board started in 2008 is almost dysfunctional now. There is no way our grievance can be heard,? said Ms. Noori. The participants discussed the need to reform laws related to HIV/AIDS, particularly ones that reinforce bias against persons with HIV. Since same-sex marriages are illegal, such couples cannot adopt or even buy a life insurance policy, among other things.**** ** ** ?Many police station and officials, to ensure they have a certain number of cases at the end of the year, arrest sex workers and make sure they get summoned and later arrested. Some even don't know that paid sex is not punishable in India, only soliciting is,? said Tito Thomas, director, Centre for Social Research and Development.**** ** ** Organisations need to stand up in defence of the community, besides providing intervention during crisis, said E. Manohar, a social activist from Karnataka. Mr. Manohar said that adult women, who were victims of trafficking, were often kept in government homes, worse than jails, and given an upkeep amount of not more than Rs.13 a day. The recent changes in laws in many countries, including Sweden, Denmark, and others to criminalise clients show that international communities too fail to understand how that would add to the insecurities of the sex workers, he said. Karnataka, he said, recently became the first State to allow all forms of transgenders to avail the benefits that backward classes do.**** ** ** HIV is not a medical issue alone, and it is necessary to understand it in the context of social, economical and psychological scenarios, said Indhu Sivakumar, from TSU- TANSACS. ?The community needs to be empowered too, even with the knowledge of legal procedures,? she added.**** ** ** Ayesha Mago, project coordinator, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law, underscored the need to table and pass the HIV Bill soon to ensure there was access to healthcare and education.**** ** ** *3* `Many children in Manipur die of HIV, untested and untreated` **** Kangla Online, ****India******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Written by Imphal Free Press**** ** ** IMPHAL, Jan 31: With the launch of the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) programme, the onus is now great on outreach workers as the first step in caring for HIV infected children is accurate and early diagnosis of HIV.**** ** ** This was stated by project director of the Manipur State Aids Control Society (MACS) ****Dr** **SK******** ** ** Chaurasia while inaugurating a one-day capacity building workshop of outreach workers on Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and HIV Exposed Infants (HEI) care and treatment held here at Hotel Nirmala today.**** ** ** The workshop is the first in a series of programmes to be held during the next three days for training outreach workers, staff of EID designated centres, District AIDS Control officers and District Supervisers. It is organized by MACS with support from UNICEF, ****Assam**** office.**** ** ** Emphasizing the major role of outreach workers in the successful and effective implementation of the newly launched EID programme in the state, Dr Chaurasia urged the participants to work with full compassion and dedication to enhance the quality of life of HIV exposed children, he called upon them to ?reach the unreached.?**** ** ** Speaking as resource person during the technical session, former project director of MACS, Dr Pramod Kumar, Dr Pramod Kumar expressed concern that service gap in identifying and providing follow-up service to HIV exposed pregnant mothers and their children as well as late detection and diagnosis could lead to worsening of the HIV epidemic in the state.**** ** ** It is estimated that 94,000 children below 15 yrs are infected with HIV in * *India**, most of which are in the high burden districts of states in South and **North-East India**, including Manipur. In Manipur during the last five yrs, out of 11,72,116 people tested, 13,064 were found positive, out of which 4,803 were women and 1,369 were children. Sero-prevalence for children increased from 6.8 % in 2004 to 7.6 % in 2008, he said.**** ** ** Expressing concern, he added that as on October 2010 cumulative number of children living with HIV/AIDS registered in HIV care in the state was 2,431, but only 722 started ART. Hence, the fear is that many children either die untested and untreated, he continued, and further stressed that networking and linkages are extra important.**** ** ** ?We have the technology, medicine, doctors, facility and children who need help, therefore not providing service here would be akin to killing the children ourselves,? he said urging the outreach workers to do their best in closing the gaps in service.**** ** ** Deputy Director (CST) of MACS, Dr Y. Gopal Krishna, Head of Department of Paediatric Department, RIMS, Prof. Dr. H. Ranbir, Programme Director, Centre of Excellence, Paediatric, JNIMS, Dr. Apabi, Technician at ART Centre, RIMS, Bunty Naorem, and State Co-ordinator of IL&FS, M. Premjit were the other resource persons of the workshop.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Global health hits crisis point **** Nature**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Laurie Garrett**** ** ** Last week, Michel Kazatchkine tendered his resignation as executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Regardless of whether you've heard of the French AIDS scientist, or even of the fund, you should keep reading. This is a crucial, dangerous moment for global health.**** ** ** Kazatchkine made clear the political struggle that forced his resignation. ?The Global Fund has helped to spearhead an entirely new framework of international development partnership,? he wrote in his resignation letter. But under stress during the world economic crisis, with radically declining support from donors, a battle developed. ?Today, the Global Fund stands at a cross-road. In the international political economy, power-balances are shifting and new alignments of countries and decision-making institutions are emerging or will have to be developed to achieve global goals. Within the area of global health, the emergency approaches of the past decade are giving way to concerns about how to ensure long-term sustainability, while at the same time, efficiency is becoming a dominant measure of success,? he wrote.**** ** ** It is almost possible to hear Kazatchkine spitting out the words 'sustainability' and 'efficiency'. Since the financial crisis of November 2008, a storm has been brewing over these concepts, one that affects everything from humanitarian responses to projects that distribute malaria bed nets. It is a fight, and on one side are those who believe that crises in general, and the AIDS pandemic and allied diseases in particular, constitute global 'emergencies' that must be tackled with full force, mistakes be damned. On the other are those who feel that AIDS is now a chronic disease that can be managed with medication and therefore requires investment in permanent infrastructure of care and treatment that can eventually be operated and funded by the countries themselves.**** ** ** It is a classic battle of titans, pitting urgency against long-term sustainability. In his resignation letter, Kazatchkine essentially conceded victory to the forces for sustainability. Charitable urgency didn't stand a chance once the donor states started cinching their domestic budget belts so tightly that they had to punch new buckle holes.**** ** ** The fund was established ten years ago as a unique mechanism to move billions of dollars from rich countries to poorer ones, to combat and treat three infectious diseases: HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. It acts as a granting agency, accepting applications from governments and health organizations, and convenes regular replenishment meetings to tell donors ? mostly the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany ? how much money is needed for the next round.**** ** ** By the end of 2009, the fund was disbursing US$2.7 billion a year, and was underwriting almost half of all HIV treatment in poor countries, about two-thirds of all malaria prevention and treatment in the world and about 65% of all tuberculosis efforts. The fund's most marked impact has been on malaria. At the end of 2011, the World Health Organization estimated that the number of malaria deaths had fallen by one-quarter between 2000 and 2010.**** ** ** But Global-Fund cash has spawned dependency and expectation among its recipients. Should it disappear, or radically diminish, countries would be hard-pressed to finance malaria and tuberculosis efforts.**** ** ** Indeed, the great diminishment has commenced. In October 2010, the fund asked donors for $20 billion for five years' worth of disbursements. The donors were indignant and committed just over half that. In response, the fund's flabbergasted leadership cancelled the next grant round, and it will now not distribute new grants until 2014.**** ** ** Donor scrutiny increased and a high-level independent review panel set up by the fund's governing board, which includes representatives of United Nations agencies and the World Bank, released a scathing report, citing a litany of problems, including fraud, theft and inconsistent decision-making by grant reviewers.**** ** ** At a meeting in ****Accra**, **Ghana****, on 21 November, the board members expressed shock at the problems identified by the high-level panel, and by reports commissioned on the situation on the ground in some countries. Some African leaders described riots and demonstrations at the lack of vital medicines, especially for HIV. The board's own investigation showed that the fund had committed assets of $10 billion for 2011?13, but had only about $4 billion in its bank accounts.**** ** ** The board called for ways to stretch available resources and eliminate inefficiencies. Key to that would be the appointment of a general manager to oversee all spending, pushing Kazatchkine aside. Stepping into that position is Colombian banker Gabriel Jaramillo.**** ** ** To try to give Jaramillo a running start, in ****Davos**, **Switzerland****, last week, Bill Gates handed over some $750 million, redeemable by the fund in full during 2012, or spread out over time. And the Saudi Arabian government announced a $25-million donation. As generous as these millions may be, the fund needs billions just to stay alive and fulfil country grants, let alone to grow. Right now we have no idea where that money will come from. Should the fund collapse, the consequences will be severe. Progress against tuberculosis and malaria will stall, and more than a million people living with HIV could be left without treatment.**** Volume:482,Pages:7 DOI:doi:10.1038/482007a**** ** ** *3* Save **West Africa** from the drugs barons **** The Observer**** 29/01/2012**** ** ** Comment is free**** By Kofi Annan**** ** ** Over the last decade, West Africa has made encouraging progress. Violent conflicts that had blighted the region for many years have been ended. There have been real advances in development, health and education. Economic growth is accelerating. Democratic practice, although still not the norm everywhere in the region, is taking root.**** ** ** But this progress is increasingly at risk from the threat posed by international drug trafficking and the criminal networks behind the trade. The smuggling of illegal drugs through West Africa, notably cocaine and heroin, has increased dramatically. A decade ago, the total seizures of cocaine in the region were less than 100 kilos. By 2009, this had increased to nearly 6,500 kilos. The World Bank estimated that cocaine with a street value of $6.8bn was trafficked through the region the previous year.**** ** ** This is not restricted to West Africa. Across the globe, drug trafficking and the organised crime behind it are placing increasing pressures on all legal and democratic systems. But countries emerging from conflict or violence are particularly susceptible to organised crime. Law enforcement can be weak, while widespread poverty makes it easier for criminal networks to penetrate and pervert the often fragile institutions of democratic states.**** ** ** West Africa and other regions in Africa are not immune from these pressures. Indeed, they face three inter-related dangers from illegal drug trafficking. First, there is the threat from drug-funded corruption, which can corrode fledgling state institutions and undermine good governance and the rule of law. Second, there is the risk that drug traffickers link up with other criminal elements or, worse, terrorist groups that may be trying to infiltrate and destabilise the region.**** ** ** Finally, there is the harmful impact on the health and social cohesion of local communities caused by growing drug consumption by people within the region. Evidence of this disturbing trend is already apparent. According to a recent report from the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime, in 2009 around a third of the South American cocaine destined for Europe and shipped via West Africa was consumed locally.**** ** ** Organisations such as the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States have already sounded the alarm about the growing scale of the threat and the dangers it poses to governance, security and democracy. Governments in the region are taking action to stem and disrupt the flow of drugs. But there remains an urgent need to accelerate and ensure a coherent response at the national, regional and international levels.**** ** ** We need to take action now before the grip of the criminal networks linked to the trafficking of illicit drugs tightens into a stranglehold on West African political and economic development. That can only achieved through a strong, well-co-ordinated and integrated effort led by West African states with the strong backing of the international community. In particular, the region needs more help from those countries that are producing and consuming these drugs.**** ** ** To help provide new impetus and solutions to this threat, a meeting of independent experts from within the region and the wider international community will be convened later this year. The aim is to assess the dangers that drug trafficking poses to governance, security and democracy in West Africa and to propose concrete measures to combat this insidious menace.**** ** ** We have already seen, in other parts of the world, the devastation the trade in drugs can cause. It would be a tragedy if drugs were again to plunge West Africa into conflict and destroy the progress and hard-won democratic gains of recent years. We must all come together to prevent such a disaster.**** ** ** *4***** Put planet and its people at the core of sustainable development, urges report **** The Guardian**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Mark Tran in Addis Ababa**** ** ** Social and environmental costs need to be integrated into measurement of economic activity, a new UN report said on Monday as it urged world leaders to focus on the long-term resilience of the planet and its people.**** ** ** The report from the high-level panel on global sustainability calls for a set of sustainable development indicators that go beyond the traditional approach of gross domestic product. It recommends that governments develop and apply a set of sustainable development goals that can mobilise global action.**** ** ** At the report's launch during the AU summit, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, made it plain that sustainable development is a top priority for his second term of office.**** ** ** "We need to chart a new, more sustainable course for the future, one that strengthens equality and economic growth while protecting our planet," he said.**** ** ** Ban established a 22-member panel in August 2010, co-chaired by Finland's president Tarja Halonen and Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa. The group was tasked with producing a blueprint for sustainable development and low-carbon prosperity.**** ** ** The panel's final report, Resilient People, Resilient Planet: a Future Worth Choosing, contains 56 recommendations to put sustainable development into practice and to mainstream it into economic policy as quickly as possible.**** ** ** Halonen stressed the importance of placing people at the centre of achieving sustainable development.**** ** ** "Eradication of poverty and improving equity must remain priorities for the world community," she said. "The panel has concluded that empowering women and ensuring a greater role for them in the economy is critical for sustainable development."**** ** ** The report feeds into preparations for the UN conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) in Brazil in June 2012. Among its key points is that most goods and services sold today fail to bear the full environmental and social cost of production and consumption.**** ** ** "Based on the science, we need to reach consensus, over time, on methodologies to price them properly. Costing environmental externalities could open new opportunities for green growth and green jobs," says the report.**** ** ** Underscoring the importance of science as an essential guide for decision-making on sustainability issues, the report calls on the UN secretary-general to lead efforts to produce a regular global sustainable development outlook report that integrates knowledge across sectors and institutions, and to consider creating a science advisory board or scientific advisor.**** ** ** The report stresses the importance of gender equality in any serious shift towards sustainable development.**** ** ** "Half of humankind's collective intelligence and capacity is a resource we must nurture and develop, for the sake of multiple generations to come," says the report. "The next increment of global growth could well come from the full economic empowerment of women."**** ** ** Among the recommendations for a sustainable economy, the report calls for a phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies and other "perverse or trade-distorting" subsidies by 2020. However, such decisions can be politically unpopular, as the unrest in Nigeria over a reduction in fuel subsidies underlined. Aware of the political sensitivities involved, the report says the reduction of subsidies must be done in a manner that protects the poor.**** ** ** The report calls on governments to change the regulation of financial markets to promote longer-term and sustainable investment. It cites the example of Norway, where the ministry of finance is responsible for co-ordinating work on a national strategy covering the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development.**** ** ** To implement this strategy, Norway has integrated sustainable development into the annual budget. In every yearly budget, follow-up is reported in a separate chapter that includes contributions from each government ministry as well as the statistics office.**** ** ** As the report notes, Norway has developed 18 indicators that have become increasingly important in monitoring the extent to which the country's activities are consistent with sustainable development targets.**** ** ** While welcoming the panel's vision, Oxfam said the recommendations were weak.**** ** ** "The emphasis on women's rights and the call for an 'ever-green' revolution in agriculture, so it is more resource-efficient and productive, is helpful, but concrete recommendations on reforming the food system are thin," said Sarah Best of Oxfam. "There is nothing in the report on how to finance the recommendations ? for instance, through a levy on international shipping and aviation, or a financial transaction tax ? which has been backed by the UN panel on climate finance." **** ** ** The panel's findings come 25 years after Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former prime minister of Norway, produced a landmark eponymous report that defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".**** ** ** "Since then, the world has gained a deeper understanding of the interconnected challenges we face and the fact that sustainable development provides the best opportunity for people to choose their future," says the report. "This makes ours a propitious moment in history to make the right choices and move towards sustainable development in earnest."**** ** ** *5* The Global Fund must come of age (Editorial) **** Financial Times**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** The Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria has proved to be one of the world?s most important and innovative multilateral funding agencies. The abrupt reshuffle of top management last week must not distract attention from its achievements over the past decade, which on their own justify further donor support.**** ** ** Michel Kazatchkine, the Swiss-based organisation?s executive director for the past five years, resigned after the board imposed a general manager to work alongside him and restructure its operations. His contribution in raising funds and support over the past five years deserves recognition.**** ** ** His departure followed allegations ? rebutted by the board ? that the Global Fund had made payments to people close to Carla Bruni, President Sarkozy?s wife, who is an HIV ambassador. There were also claims of corruption among countries receiving its support. If Mr Kazatchkine is open to criticism, it centres on his governance style. The overall level of abuse was low, and the Global Fund?s policy of transparency ? including publishing audits of its own inspector-general ? has left it vulnerable to attacks compared with rival aid agencies.**** ** ** By avoiding the ?top down? approach of faddish programmes dictated by donors, the Global Fund has helped developing countries to save millions of lives and boost economic growth through bednets, diagnostics, health education and medicines to treat the world?s three most lethal infectious diseases. It is a model that could be applied more widely in health, education and other areas of development assistance.**** ** ** After 10 years urgently raising and spending money, there is a need to re-examine the agency?s management and operations, particularly when squeezed donors are seeking better value for money. The Global Fund, like its peers, must be more critical in scrutinising grant applications to ensure its stretched finances go to the neediest: those with fewest resources, the highest disease burden, and policies that do most to prevent and treat infection.**** ** ** That requires a very different set of skills than those expected of Mr Kazatchkine when he was appointed to build an organisation still in its infancy. It also implies a more active role from Global Fund directors, with greater accountability imposed on the board of donor and recipient governments, non-profit groups and businesses. They must share the blame for past failures and extend more selective support in the future.**** Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2012.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Beneficios para pacientes de VIH/SIDA **** Nuevo D?a Puerto Rico**** 29/01/2012**** ** ** Por Inter News Service**** ** ** Puerto Rico ha obtenido mayores beneficios que otros estados para los pacientes de VIH/SIDA, dijo hoy el secretario de Salud, Lorenzo Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** "Hemos trabajado incansablemente para que la comunidad VIH/SIDA en Puerto Rico adquiera beneficios adicionales para atender su condici?n. En esa direcci?n, esta administraci?n ha alcanzado innumerables logros para continuar brindando servicios y asegurando otros que han sido eliminados en otras jurisdicciones de Estados Unidos", se?al?.**** ** ** "El plan de salud del gobierno, Mi Salud (Modelo Integrado de Salud), cuenta con una cubierta amplia de servicios para el tratamiento de los beneficiarios elegibles y con condici?n Factor VIH Positivo y/o S?ndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA). Esto incluye servicios ambulatorios, medicamentos y servicios de hospitalizaci?n, entre otros", record? el galeno, al tiempo que rese?? que en el 2010 se destinaron alrededor de 44.2 millones de d?lares en servicios m?dicos directos a la poblaci?n VIH/SIDA de los cuales 15.1 millones se pagaron en medicamentos.**** ** ** El Secretario de Salud indic? adem?s que la Administraci?n de Seguros de Salud (ASES), mediante un acuerdo con el Departamento de Salud, identific? 26 millones de d?lares para la utilizaci?n de medicamentos de pacientes VIH/SIDA. **** ** ** Seg?n datos de la agencia, bajo la cubierta de Mi Salud, se atendieron en el a?o 2010 un total 7,385 pacientes ?nicos de VIH/SIDA.**** ** ** "El Plan Mi Salud tiene en su cubierta especial a los pacientes de VIH/SIDA para que puedan acceder los servicios de la red de proveedores sin necesidad de referidos y cuenta con centros especializados dedicados para beneficio de esta poblaci?n", a?adi? Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** El funcionario precis? que, en Puerto Rico no existe una lista de espera para medicamentos sufragados por el programa ADAP (AIDS Drugs Assistance Program). "Esto contrasta con 12 estados de Estados Unidos, que han tenido que implementar una lista de espera como medida de control de costos. Hemos tomado medidas que garanticen la continuidad del tratamiento de esta poblaci?n y as? contin?en recibiendo sus medicamentos", asegur?.**** ** ** Destac? adem?s que el a?o pasado se implement? por primera vez un Programa de Asistencia en Deducibles y Co-aseguros para personas con VIH/SIDA que tienen un plan m?dico privado. "De esta iniciativa, se han beneficiado 226 pacientes que participan del programa que les permite asumir los costos para su debido tratamiento que de otra forma no pod?an sufragar. Esperamos poder proveer este servicio a otros pacientes elegibles", augur? Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** Sobre el programa Ryan White, el funcionario agreg? que se est? atendiendo responsablemente las penalidades que recibi? Puerto Rico bajo pasadas administraciones y que al d?a de hoy consiste de una deuda que asciende a 28 millones de d?lares.**** ** ** "Mediante un esfuerzo coordinado con la Oficina del Comisionado Residente, estamos en el proceso de negociaci?n de la deuda arrastrada desde los a?os 2002-2005 por la mala utilizaci?n de estos fondos federales y que incluye intereses generados de unos 4 millones de d?lares", dijo.**** ** ** Actualmente, el equipo de Ryan White se encuentra realizando una nueva Encuesta de Satisfacci?n a Pacientes de los servicios que se proveen a trav?s de la red de proveedores con el fin de obtener el informe final para este pr?ximo mes de febrero. "La informaci?n que obtengamos producto de esta encuesta nos permitir? realizar cualquier ajuste en el plan de trabajo establecido para nuestros pacientes de VIH/SIDA, especialmente en el ?rea de calidad", adelant? el galeno.**** ** ** *2* Balance del gobierno 2008-2012 y disidentes sexuales **** Cambo de MIchuac?n, Mexico**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Gerardo A. Herrera P?rez**** ** ** Estamos ya en la cuenta regresiva del gobierno del maestro Leonel Godoy Rangel, a unos d?as de que concluya esta administraci?n; quienes hemos estado trabajando en favor de la diversidad sexual, en contra de la discriminaci?n y a favor de la igualdad social, presentamos un balance general de las principales acciones realizadas por la comunidad diversa sexual y el gobierno del estado.**** ** ** Presentar un balance del Programa Estatal de Desarrollo del Gobierno 2008-2012 en relaci?n con los homosexuales, me parece fundamental, porque da congruencia al trabajo que se puede realizar desde diversos escenarios con la participaci?n de los diferentes ?rganos de gobierno a favor de los grupos vulnerados.**** ** ** Se emprendieron diversas acciones con este gobierno desde su inicio, recordamos cuando convoc? el titular de la Secretar?a de Gobierno, el otrora maestro Fidel Calder?n a una comisi?n promotora del Foro Estatal de Democracia Participativa, que se llev? a cabo en marzo de 2008, de la cual form? parte el Grupo de Facto Diversidad Sexual y desde luego el Colectivo de Organizaciones de Derechos Humanos y para 2009, la misma comisi?n promotora convoc? a los foros regionales, que se llevaron a cabo en diversas regiones del estado (Zit?cuaro, L?zaro C?rdenas, Zamora, entre otras). Grupo de Facto, en todos los foros no s?lo fue comit? promotor, sino que entreg? en todos estos foros posicionamientos desde la sociedad civil para fortalecer la figura jur?dica de la Contralor?a Social, la iniciativa popular, entre otras. Gracias a este trabajo de cientos de michoacanas y michoacanos el gobierno del estado pudo preparar una iniciativa de Ley de Participaci?n Ciudadana y entregarla a la pasada LXXI Legislatura, quien de manera ?rasurada? aprob?.**** ** ** Otro aspecto en el que el Grupo de Facto colabor? fue en la formaci?n y capacitaci?n de recursos humanos de la Secretar?a de Seguridad P?blica para fortalecer acciones de prevenci?n para la comunidad disidente sexual; con las y el titular de dicha instancia gubernamental se tuvieron acercamientos que permitieron llevar a cabo una pol?tica p?blica de prevenci?n del delito para la comunidad homosexual y llevar a cabo acciones de sensibilizaci?n a trav?s de cursos taller con la polic?a del Centro Hist?rico de Morelia, cuyo prop?sito fue reforzar los principios de igualdad y tolerancia entre personas con una preferencia diferente a la heterosexual, y plantear la no discriminaci?n a grupos vulnerables y personas viviendo con VIH Sida. Estas acciones concluyeron el 18 de febrero del 2010, cuando se entregaron las constancias a polic?as del Centro Hist?rico que participaron en el curso-taller de discriminaci?n por preferencias sexuales, trabajo sexual y portadores de VIH/Sida, un evento in?dito hasta ese momento en el estado de Michoac?n.**** ** ** Adicionalmente y de manera coordinada, Grupo de Facto y SSP dise?aron e instrumentaron la pol?tica p?blica integral de ?prevenci?n y seguridad? para la comunidad homosexual, que incluye: a) ?Cartilla para la prevenci?n del delito?, se repartieron 5 mil ejemplares, b) L?nea telef?nica del 066 de ?emergencias?, c) La operaci?n de una Oficina de Atenci?n a la Diversidad Sexual, dependiente de la Direcci?n de Participaci?n Ciudadana para la Prevenci?n del Delito y d) Correo electr?nico, el cual brind? asesor?a v?a internet.**** ** ** Adicionalmente a ello, se desarrollaron ?cursos de capacitaci?n a la Polic?a Estatal Preventiva desde la perspectiva de los derechos humanos para el servicio de seguridad?, los mismos fueron organizados por la Unidad de Derechos Humanos (UDH) de la Secretar?a de Gobierno, en cuyo temario incluyeron los temas de diversidad sexual; discriminaci?n y estigma. El curso taller que imparti? Grupo de Facto fue en diversos momentos, en abril, mayo y junio de 2011, tanto en la Academia de Polic?a en Morelia, como en Uruapan, en Zit?cuaro y en Apatzing?n, capacit?ndose a m?s de 250 elementos de Seguridad P?blica y funcionarios de procuraci?n de justicia.*** * ** ** Cabe destacar que tambi?n de manera coordinada con el Centro de Readaptaci?n Social de Mil Cumbres, se llevaron a cabo diversas acciones con las mujeres reclusas, conferencia sobre violencia de g?nero, Feria Informativa sobre el Derecho a la Salud, entre otras acciones. **** ** ** Con la Secretar?a de Pol?tica Social se particip? en las cuatro ferias de las OSC organizadas por esta administraci?n; en la Octava Feria de las OSC 2011, el Grupo de Facto pudo dirigirse al se?or gobernador a nombre de las 145 OSC participantes, el mensaje incluyo apoy? para las OSC y la presentaci?n de la Ley de Fortalecimiento a las OSC en Michoac?n; de igual manera la Sepsol apoy? a Grupo de Facto con materiales m?dicos para ser entregados a personas adultas mayores de diversas localidades de P?tzcuaro.* *** ** ** Con la Secretar?a de la Mujer (Semujer) y en el seno del Consejo Estatal para la Atenci?n y Prevenci?n del VIH Sida (Coesida), con diversas dependencias y entidades de la administraci?n p?blica del estado, el Grupo de Facto (consejero del Coesida) ha propuesto acciones que hoy se constituyen como pol?tica p?blica, como lo fue el Grupo de Trabajo Mujer y VIH Sida, que es presidido por la Semujer, con el apoyo de Grupo de Facto y otras instancias; de igual manera se promovieron diversas acciones que se realizan a favor de la inclusi?n y pluralidad para prevenir la discriminaci?n de quienes viven con VIH Sida y cuya Comisi?n contra Estigma y Discriminaci?n es presidida por el Grupo de Facto; adem?s se han apoyado los eventos para la conmemoraci?n del D?a Internacional de Lucha Contra el Sida en Morelia y L?zaro C?rdenas y ser el Grupo de Facto quienes empujan de manera conjunta con otras instancias como la Procuradur?a de Justicia y la Fiscal?a Especial de Delitos de la Familia, el Programa del D?a de la Tolerancia y Respeto a las Diferencias con una diversidad de acciones, como conferencias, talleres, foros, exposiciones y ferias de la salud.**** ** ** Tambi?n con la Semujer hemos colaborado en el modelo de equidad de g?nero y de mujer y VIH Sida, participando en al menos 33 diversos eventos (conferencias, cursos de capacitaci?n y talleres) para la sensibilizaci?n de personal m?dico para evitar la discriminaci?n en espacios hospitalarios de las jurisdicciones sanitarias de L?zaro C?rdenas, Uruapan, Zit?cuaro, La Piedad, Zamora y Morelia, as? como para apoyar las acciones que se desarrollan en materia de sexualidad entre la Semujer y la SEE, en este marco el Grupo de Facto apoy? con talleres a maestros de educaci?n secundaria t?cnica, secundarias generales y telesecundarias de todo el estado, con eventos regionales en Ciudad Hidalgo, Zamora, Zacapu, L?zaro C?rdenas, Maravat?o, Uruapan, Apatzing?n, M?gica y Morelia.**** ** ** Con el Sistema Michoacano de Radio y Televisi?n participamos en diversos programas de radio y televisi?n, Grupo de Facto fue comentarista en ?Contexto a las seis?, conducido por V?ctor Ardura, de manera permanente y hoy tenemos el honor de ser articulistas del peri?dico semanal El Michoacano, as? como comentarista del programa de televisi?n ?Razones?, adem?s de participar en diversas ocasiones en programas espec?ficos del sistema como ?Conexi?n Sepsol?, ?Reactivo despertando inquietudes?, los noticieros en sus tres horarios, entre otros programas especiales.**** ** ** De igual manera se particip? en diversos foros, congresos y talleres a que fue invitado Grupo de Facto durante estos ya cuatro a?os de administraci?n y que a los mismos siempre lleg? Grupo de Facto con propuestas concretas para proponer. Cabe destacar el trabajo permanente de Grupo de Facto en el Consejo Estatal para la Prevenci?n del VIH Sida, tanto como consejero, como coordinador del Comit? contra Estigma y Discriminaci?n, desde donde se realizaron diversas acciones de prevenci?n.**** ** ** De igual manera destacamos la participaci?n del Ejecutivo del estado en diversos eventos realizados por el Grupo de Facto, como los realizados en las cinco ?ltimas ediciones para conmemorar el D?a Internacional contra la Homofobia.**** ** ** Desde la sociedad civil organizada, Grupo de Facto logr? articular con la voluntad pol?tica de las autoridades gubernamentales un proyecto de sinergias al Programa Estatal de Desarrollo 2008-2012; la ?nica asignatura pendiente, no se instal? el Consejo Estatal para Prevenir la Discriminaci?n. **** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Can New Circumcision Devices Help Fight AIDS in **Africa**?**** TIME Magazine**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Alexandra Sifferlin**** ** ** It?s a lofty, but vital goal. Africa wants to circumcise 20 million men by 2015 to help curb the AIDS epidemic plaguing the continent. Studies show that the procedure is one of the most effective ?vaccines? against HIV, reducing the risk of infection in men by at least 60%, the New York Times reports.**** ** ** However, only about 600,000 men have had the operation so far and the clock is ticking ? every missed day means more chances for infection. The main obstacle lies in a shortage of surgeons to provide circumcision, and provide it quickly. According to the Times, it takes a skilled surgeon about 15 minutes per circumcision and such doctors are hard to come by in Africa.**** ** ** Now, new circumcision devices on the market may help fill the demand. PrePex and Shang Ring are two devices under evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO) to speed the process, Dr. Stefano Bertozzi, director of HIV for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation told the Times.**** ** ** The FDA approved PrePex just a few weeks ago. It was invented in 2009 by four Israelis, one a urologist who heard the plea for surgeons in Africa. Out of all similar devices, PrePex is so far the quickest, least bloody and least painful. It?s also remarkably simple ? its technology is based on a rubber band. According to the Times:**** ** ** The band compresses the foreskin against a plastic ring slipped inside it; the foreskin dies within hours for lack of blood and, after a week, falls off or can be clipped off ?like a fingernail,? said Tzameret Fuerst, the company?s chief executive officer, who compared the process to the stump of an umbilical cord?s shriveling up and dropping off a few days after it is clamped.**** (You can watch a video of PrePex being used on an adult patient here, but be warned, the images are explicit.)**** ** ** According to Dr. Jason Reed, an epidemiologist in the global AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PrePex could increase circumcisions to 400 a day, compared to the current 60 to 80. The device can be placed and removed in minutes by trained nurses.**** ** ** The WHO is also considering the Shang Ring, a Chinese device with a plastic two-ring clamp. Unlike PrePex, the Chinese contraption requires the medical provider to cut excess foreskin beyond the clamp, which means injections of anesthetics are needed, as well as enough training for the provider to perform minor surgery.**** ** ** ?The Shang is not as fast, but it?s faster than full-fledged surgery,? AIDS-prevention expert Mitchell Warren told the Times. ?And it hasn?t submitted as much safety data.?**** ** ** Although there are a few other devices on the market, PrePex and Shang Ring are the most promising. If approved for use by WHO, the devices could be fundamental in helping Africa meet its goal.**** ** ** *3* AIDS treatment on Indian reservations clouded by secrets, stigma**** The Sun Herald**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By NICOLE GILBERT - Cronkie News Service**** ** ** CHINLE, Arizona -- Melvin Harrison drifted far from his boyhood home on the Navajo Nation and found himself addicted to drugs and barefoot on the streets of San Diego.**** ** ** When he entered a drug and alcohol treatment program in 1987, he had no idea what HIV was or that AIDS would claim the lives of so many he loved. It wasn't something talked about on the reservation, he said.**** Then, with one blood test, **Harrison** faced his own mortality. **** ** ** "It scared the heck out of me because I was shooting drugs," he said.**** **Harrison** tested negative for HIV. But his experience prompted him to take action in the Navajo community, educating people about the disease as the founding executive director of the Navajo AIDS Network.**** ** ** "In the Navajo way of life ... on HIV and gay issues, nobody is understanding," he said.**** Harrison and others say that HIV is a taboo topic among the Navajo tribe, one of the largest in the country with more than 300,000 members. Many Navajo, they say, believe that speaking of disease is the same as bringing it into the community.**** ** ** The **Gallup** **Indian** **Medical** **Center** in ****Gallup**, **N.M.****, has seen a steady increase of new HIV cases among Navajos over the past 10 years - doctors recorded 35 cases in 2010, up from just 15 cases in 2000. The numbers may reflect an increase in testing, but according to infectious disease specialist Dr. Jonathan Iralu, they may reveal other trends.**** ** ** "HIV is not just an illness that's present in the East Coast or the West Coast or the inner city," he said. "It's something that's come even to rural ****America****."**** Iralu said he sees more cases these days of Navajos contracting HIV from other Navajos, whereas before most patients became infected in cities off the reservation. And more heterosexual people are testing positive now, he said, shattering the misconception that only homosexual men contract HIV.*** * ** ** The Navajo AIDS Network works with the ****Gallup** **Indian** **Medical** * *Center**** to provide case management and counseling to newly diagnosed patients all across the reservation. It also offers HIV testing, promoted by advertisements in movie theaters, posters and brochures.**** ** ** **Harrison** said his organization probably only works with a fraction of the Navajos infected with HIV, as the stigma of and misinformation about AIDS prevents residents from getting tested.**** "If you go down here to the schools or across Navajo (territory), you'll find that many of our high school students, and just people in general, think that's still a gay man's disease," he said.**** ** ** *4* Coming soon: over-the-counter oral AIDS test **** Crain?s New York Business.com**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Gale Scott**** ** ** With HIV infection remaining a major health concern in ****New York City****, many public health researchers are clamoring for an over-the-counter oral test for the virus. The thinking is that a home kit would let people test themselves, or to insist that partners or potential partners take and pass the test as a condition of having unprotected sex.**** ** ** That test could arrive soon, if the FDA rules favorably on an application from OraSure Technologies. The ****Bethlehem**, **Penn.****, company has asked permission to have its OraQuick rapid HIV test approved for retail sale?much like a home pregnancy test. The product is widely used in clinical settings and is expected to sell for around $20 if approved. **** ** ** Though many companies sell rapid HIV tests, OraSure is the only one that sells both blood and oral tests. Six others sell blood tests. "Our market share is 70% to 80% in public health and 50% to 60% in hospitals. We are the market leader" said OraSure CEO Douglas Michels.**** ** ** FDA approval could come this year, ending a process that started when the company approached the FDA in 2004 with market research that showed a $500 million potential ****U.S.**** sales-demand for a home test. The company submitted its final module of clinical tests results to the FDA in last month.**** ** ** Physically, the process would be simple: wipe a swab inside the mouth, dip it into a container, wait 20 minutes. One line means HIV negative, two lines means it is positive. In terms of manners however, it would be anything but simple, according to a study by ****Columbia** **University****researchers published Wednesday. **** ** ** Alex Carballo-Di?guez, Timothy Frasca and colleagues at the **HIV** **Center ** for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the ****New York**** State Psychiatric Institute recruited subjects from a high-risk group, men who have sex with men. Though the HIV test would be marketed to heterosexuals as well, the researchers chose homosexual and bisexual men because the virus is spreading more quickly in that demographic. Of 3,481 new HIV diagnoses in ****New York City**** in 2010, 52.1% were among these men, versus 47.4% in 2009, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. **** ** ** In the ****Columbia**** study, researchers offered these men the OraQuick test in their office and then interviewed them about their attitudes toward using it. Most?over 80% of the men?said they would use the kit to test sexual partners or themselves if it became available over the counter. **** ** ** But there was little agreement on how to broach the subject with a partner, how to handle an unexpected positive result, or deal with other situations. ?The most surprising thing was how people would use it,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez, ?Some people said they would use it with casual partners, others said they would want there to be familiarity, and would use it only with their main partner.?**** ** ** The study, published in the Journal of Sex Research, included remarks and explanations from the test subjects, identified only by age and ethnicity. * *** ** ** Asked how they would bring up the topic of taking the test, some said they would be blunt and direct. The study quoted a Latino man, age 25, as planning to say, ?Well, I'm interested in sexual health, well-being; would you mind taking this, you know, with me?? Another said he would use persuasion, talking up the uniqueness of the test and ?how great it is.? Others said they would make the test a condition of forgoing condom use or as a sign that a relationship had moved to steady from casual status.**** ** ** Most saw a common problem in using the test with casual partners in spontaneous situations. ?To wait 20 minutes to see what would happen would put the brakes on whatever crescendo you're having,? said a 40-year-old white man. ?It's a buzz killer.? **** ** ** A more serious concern, one raised by the test's opponents, is how users would react to a positive test. ?There's a lot of potential opposition and clinics might not be crazy about direct access in a private setting with no personnel with them if they get a positive result,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez.**** ** ** OraSure's Mr. Michels said he had heard those concerns, but felt they were not an obstacle.**** ** ** "Those objections have been raised and discussed, there has been an opportunity for public comment, but there is broad support for this test." * *** ** ** Mr. Frasca added, ?There has been a progressive loosening of restrictions on HIV testing,? and that many people feel the FDA will approve the application. **** ** ** In announcing its latest FDA submission, OraSure cited federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics on the need to expand testing. There are approximately 1.2 million people in the ****U.S.**** who have HIV and about 240,000 are unaware of their status, according to the company.**** ** ** Meanwhile, the test subjects had different ideas on the best strategy for dealing with a positive test. Some said they would offer deep sympathy and ask how to help. A minority said they'd be out the door. ?Man, got to go,? said a 21-year-old black man describing his likely reaction. **** ** ** The researchers are now following up with a second study in which they have distributed tests for home use and will later ask subjects to report on their experiences using them. So far they have not studied the heterosexual population, but said it could have widespread use. They could even see a scenario?remote?in which a person could test a partner surreptitiously. ?It's come up; I guess you could swab someone when they were sleeping, but it would very difficult,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez. **** ** ** *5* SAfrica recalls 1.35 million condoms handed out during ANC celebrations over claims of flaws **** Associated Press**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** *Story widely covered by global media channels* ** ** ****JOHANNESBURG**** ? Some condoms burst. Others leaked like sieves. ****South Africa****?s leading anti-AIDS group said Tuesday that allegedly faulty condoms are among more than 1.35 million handed out at the African National Congress? 100th birthday party.**** ** ** Health officials confirmed that all of those condoms have been ordered to be recalled. But the Treatment Action Campaign said no warning has been issued to people that they may have carried away defective condoms that could now cause them to unsuspectingly spread or contract HIV. ****South Africa**** has the world?s highest number of AIDS patients, some 5.6 million.**** ** ** The third recall in less than five years raises questions about the quality of some of the 425 million-plus condoms that the government gives away each year, and the competence of the South African Bureau of Standards that is supposed to ensure their quality is up to international standards.**** ** ** AIDS activist Sello Mokhalipi of the Treatment Action Campaign said he complained to the health department after ?we had people flocking in, coming to report that the condoms had burst while they were having sex.?**** ** ** Some were panicking because they were infected with AIDS and were concerned for their partners, he said.**** ** ** Spokesman Jabu Mbalula of the ****Free State**** provincial health department, which distributed the condoms before the Jan. 6-8 celebrations, said they had recalled the entire batch of 1.35 million condoms around Jan. 18. He said there was no need for a panic.**** ** ** But he was unable to say how many of the condoms were used or have been recovered.**** ** ** In 2007, the government recalled more than 20 million defective condoms manufactured locally but recovered only 12 million. The Health Ministry said many of the condoms failed the air burst test.**** ** ** That came after a recall the same year of 5 million defective and locally produced condoms. In that case, the Ministry of Health said a testing manager at the South African Bureau of Standards had taken a bribe to certify the faulty contraceptives.**** ** ** AIDS activist Mokhalipi said the latest recall was limited to health workers going to the ****Bloemfontein**** hotels, guesthouses and bars where they had deposited the condoms and reclaiming any that remained.**** ** ** He complained that the health department had not issued countrywide warnings to alert people not to use condoms distributed during the celebrations that drew tens of thousands of people.**** ** ** ?People came from all over and probably took many away with them, so those condoms are now all over the country,? he said.**** ** ** Those who had used condoms that allegedly had burst should be told to get post-exposure tests and treatment, he said.**** ** ** ?We want the department to go out and tell people about these faulty condoms,? Mokhalipi said. ?How can they say people should not panic if there are still clearly people out there in possession of these condoms.?*** * ** ** The scandal comes just a week after the Journal of the Royal Society Interface published a new study indicating increased condom use accounted for the vast majority of the decline in HIV infections in ****South Africa** ** between 2000 and 2008. Epidemiologist Leigh F. Johnson and colleagues at the ****University** of **Cape Town**** found that increased condom use accounted for more than 70 percent of the decline.**** ** ** Mokhalipi said people started coming with complaints about the condoms on Jan. 11 ? three days after the celebrations ended ? prompting his office to run some tests.**** ** ** ?We poured water into the condoms and they were leaking, not just in one place, they were leaking like a sieve,? he said. Looking at them, ?you can see there are small pores? like pinpricks.**** ** ** He said the health department had distributed a new batch of condoms last week, which did not leak under the water test.**** ** ** Health department spokesman Mbalula said pouring water into a condom and applying pressure was not a proper test, though Mokhalipi denied applying pressure.**** ** ** Mbalula said his department recalled the contraceptives to conduct scientific tests. He did not know when results would be available.**** ** ** An organization that has a lot of experience with condoms, the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, said many of the 10,000 to 15,000 prostitutes they work with often complain about the free government condoms. The Taskforce said they instead use a brand provided by an international charity.**** ** ** ?The CHOICE condoms that the government is distributing are very unsatisfactory and we have a lot of complaints about condoms breaking,? said Maria Stacey, SWEAT?s outreach and development manager.**** ** ** ****South Africa****?s government sources its condoms from several companies and rebrands them with its colorful CHOICE packaging, in bright blue, red, yellow and green.**** ** ** Mbalula noted that all the condoms distributed in ****Bloemfontein**** were stamped to indicate that they were in batches that had been quality tested by the Bureau of Standards. Bureau spokeswoman Verna Schutte would only confirm that they were investigating the condoms.**** ** ** Neither she nor the health spokesman could say which country or company had manufactured the condoms.**** Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair **** UNAIDS**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Speaking at the 11th General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on 30 January, Madame Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of Namibia, identified the prevention of new HIV infections among children as a key objective for her new term as President of OAFLA.*** * ** ** Madame Pohamba noted that in most African countries, lack of male involvement in sexual and reproductive health programmes is a challenge. She urged her fellow First Ladies to launch a continent-wide campaign to encourage the participation of male partners in efforts to stop new HIV infections in children.**** ** ** ?Let us conduct this campaign under the theme, An HIV-free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today,? said the Namibian First Lady. ?I believe that zero HIV infections among new born babies is an achievable goal,? she added.**** ** ** Mrs Ban Soon-taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary-General, highlighted in her remarks the growing momentum and support for the goal of an HIV-free generation. ?Around the world, in developing and developed countries, in the North and in the South, in the streets of communities and the halls of governments, people know that no child should be born with HIV,? said Mrs Ban.**** ** ** According to the latest data from UNAIDS, WHO and UNICEF, there has been considerable progress over the past decade in reducing new HIV infections among children in sub-Saharan **Africa**. An estimated 350 000 children were newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan **Africa** in 2010 compared to about 500 000 children in 2001?a 30% reduction. An estimated 230 000 children died from AIDS-related causes in 2010, down from about 320 000 in 2005.**** ** ** In his keynote address at the OAFLA General Assembly, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidib? applauded the First Ladies for their collective action in the HIV response across the continent. He said that through the strong leadership and advocacy of OAFLA members, 12 of 22 high burden countries in **Africa** had launched accelerated national plans to stop HIV transmission from mother to child. ?The results of your efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of women, youth and children across **Africa**,? said Mr Sidib?.**** ** ** Expressing concern over **Africa**?s dependency on external aid, the UNAIDS Executive Director requested the support of OAFLA members in mobilizing funding from local sources for HIV prevention, treatment and care. ?Working with leaders of your countries, we need to focus all efforts on the issue of sustainable funding for the AIDS response. We must advocate for new partnerships with the private sector,? said Mr Sidib?.**** ** ** According to a new UNAIDS issues brief ? ?AIDS dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions??an estimated two-thirds of AIDS expenditures in **Africa* * come from international funding sources. The vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in **Africa** are imported from generic manufacturers.**** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/b6b53f24/attachment-0003.html From creata at hmu.edu.vn Wed Feb 1 03:37:11 2012 From: creata at hmu.edu.vn (=?UTF-8?B?SElWL0FJRFMgVFQgTkMgJiDEkFQ=?=) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:37:11 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] =?utf-8?b?VGjGsCBt4budaSB0aGFtIGdpYSBraMOzYSBo4buN?= =?utf-8?b?YzogIlRp4bq/cCBj4bqtbiBuZ2hpw6puIGPhu6l1IMSR4buLbmggdMOt?= =?utf-8?b?bmggduG7gSBISVYvQUlEUyI=?= Message-ID: K?nh m?i tham d? kh?a h?c Trung t?m nghi?n c?u v? ??o t?o HIV/AIDS, ??i h?c Y H? N?i k?t h?p v?i Vi?n Gia ??nh v? Gi?i v? ??i h?c Columbia (Hoa K?) t? ch?c kh?a h?c: *"Ti?p c?n nghi?n c?u ??nh t?nh v? HIV/AIDS"* - Th?i gian: *30/3 - 08/4/2012* - ??a ?i?m: *H? N?i.* Chi ti?t v? m?c ti?u kh?a h?c, ti?u ch? ch?n h?c vi?n v? ch??ng tr?nh h?c, c?c anh/ch? xem trong file ??nh k?m. H?n cu?i ?? nh?n h? s? ??ng k? l? tr??c *17 gi?, 29/02/2012.* *H? s? ??ng k? v? th?c m?c anh/ch? g?i theo ??a ch? email: creata at hmu.edu.vn * R?t mong anh/ch? chuy?n ti?p email n?y t?i b?n b? v? ??ng nghi?p c?a m?nh. Xin ch?n th?nh c?m ?n! Thay m?t ban t? ch?c kh?a h?c. An Thanh Ly * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * *Center for Research and Training on HIV/AIDS - CREATA* * * Add: Room 522, Block A1, Hanoi Medical University, No 1 Ton That Tung, Dong Da Dist. Hanoi, Vietnam Office Phone: +84 4 357 41 596 Email: creata at hmu.edu.vn -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0003.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Application form.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 711118 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0003.bin -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Annoucement.doc Type: application/msword Size: 741888 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0003.doc From nthuan at vn.rti.org Thu Feb 2 03:58:43 2012 From: nthuan at vn.rti.org (Thuan Nguyen) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:58:43 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Jobs at RTI Message-ID: <005101cce15e$f78b78f0$e6a26ad0$@vn.rti.org> Dear all, This is the advertisement. RTI is looking for Vietnam Nationals to fill in the following positions 1. Finance and Admin Manager- Hanoi Responsibilities include managing all financial and administrative aspects of the project and ensure compliance with RTI, USG and Vietnamese financial and accounting policies and procedures. Applicants must have at least 6-8 years' experience working in finance and administration for USAID-funded projects including prior experience overseeing finance, grants, and administration activities and personnel; University Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field required. 2. Grant officer- Ho Chi Minh City Responsibilities include overseeing grants management process & subcontracts for local organizations, including grant compliance with USAID regulations, oversight of funding obligations, administrative management, grant applications and selection processes, development of grants manuals, eligibility requirements, and technical review committees. Applicants must have University Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field and at least 3 years' experience (or Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of relevant experience) in financial and administrative management for USAID-funded projects; proven track record of overseeing effective grants/subcontracts management to achieve project objectives is required. 3. Finance & Administration Assistant - Ho Chi Minh City Responsibilities include assistance the office and project operation in southern provinces and report to the Office Manager in Hanoi. Applicants must have at least university degree or equivalent and 2 years of experience managing accounting files for a donor-funded project. Qualified applicants should submit a resume and an expression of interest indicating the position applied for. All applications and enquires for job descriptions must be in English and sent by email to nthuan at vn.rti.org. The deadline for applications is Feb 13 2012 . Only short listed applicants will be contacted. For detailed job description, please write email to anhongnhung at yahoo.com Please visit our website at www.rti.org/globalhealth for more information on our work in global health -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/70fb665e/attachment-0003.html From Mai.VU at unodc.org Thu Feb 2 06:40:18 2012 From: Mai.VU at unodc.org (Mai VU) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:40:18 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fw: UNODC consultancy announcement: Consultants for PAF project in Dien Bien Message-ID: FYI and circulation! ________________________________ Vu Le Mai (Ms.) Programme Assistant (Finance & Administration) HIV Programme United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: (+84-4) 3938.8437 Ext. 24 Fax: (+84-4) 3822.0854/38224931 Mobile: (+84)912.508.917 Email: mai.vu at unodc.org ________________________________ ----- Forwarded by Mai VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO on 02/02/2012 01:37 PM ----- FO Vietnam/UNODC-VN/ VIENNA/UNO To Sent by: Nguyen registry.vn at undp.org, Anh unido at un.org.vn, TRA/UNODC-VN/VIEN unfpa-fo at unfpa.org.vn, NA/UNO FAO-VNM at fao.org, vuanhson at hotmail.com, hanoi.registry at unicef.org, Thursday, 2 unaidsvietnam at unaids.org.vn, February 2012 who at vtn.wpro.who.int, 13:25 registry at unesco.org.vn, hanoi at ilohn.org.vn, vnguyen at imf.org, adbvrm at adb.org, nguyen.quang at undp.org, hanoi at iom.int, huyen.nguyen at unifem.org cc Zhuldyz AKISHEVA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Nguyen Tuong DUNG/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Christopher BATT/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Roger BRITTON/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Nguyen Anh TRA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Duong Hai NHU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thanh HUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Phuong LIEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Mai VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Daria HAGEMANN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Mai PHUONG/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Dieu HUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thanh TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Van TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Long NGUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Kodo HAMADOU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Ha TA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Hong HAI/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Hai LE/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Phuong NGUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Van DO/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thu VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Ha LE/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Trang TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Maximilian POTTLER/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV Subject UNODC consultancy announcement: Consultants for PAF project in Dien Bien Message from UNODC Viet Nam Dear colleagues and friends, For your information, the advertisement for the following national consultants has been posted on UN Viet Nam website: National consultants to conduct studies on existing current social protection provision for PLHA in Dien Bien province and to document successful stigma and discrimination reduction initiatives. ? Contract type: Individual Contract ? Submission deadline: 9 February 2012 Attached are the TOR and Vacancy announcement. You can also visit?the job site http://www.un.org.vn/en/un-jobs.html for details of Terms of Reference and application procedures. (See attached file: TOR National consulant - PAF.pdf)(See attached file: Annoucement. mapping consultant.doc) We would appreciate your help in circulating the vacancy announcement to possible applicants. ?Thank you for your kind attention. ?UNODC Vietnam Country Office -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0003.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: pic03594.gif Type: image/gif Size: 879 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0006.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: ecblank.gif Type: image/gif Size: 45 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0007.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: TOR National consulant - PAF.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 60779 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0003.pdf -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Annoucement. mapping consultant.doc Type: application/msword Size: 608256 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0003.doc From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Fri Feb 3 02:19:44 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:19:44 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (2012.02.02ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103790@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103790@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. The Standard, ****Kenya** - UN wants **Africa** to manufacture its own ARVs**** ** ** *****AFRICA****** AND MIDDLE EAST * 1. **Angola** Press - **Angola**, sub-Saharan **Africa** urged to reduce HIV cases **** 2. ****Zambia**** Daily - NGO hails State?s pledge to AIDS patients **** 3. ****Informant?**, **Namibia**** - Legalize prostitution to combat AIDS: ?Mama Africa? **** 4. ****Liberia**** Observer - The Burden of Care on An HIV Mother **** ** ** *****ASIA****** AND PACIFIC* 1. Dawn, ****Pakistan**** - ?We know it?s wrong, but we don?t want to quit?* *** 2. Phuket News - Phuket to launch anti-AIDS campaign on Valentine's Day **** 3. **New Zealand** - One-fifth of gay ****Auckland**** men with HIV unaware they are infected **** ** ** *****EUROPE******* 1. The Guardian - What does the second decade hold for the Global Fund? **** 2. The Guardian - GSK's Andrew Witty on the future of pharma collaboration to help poor countries **** 3. Global Voices - ****Ukraine****: Online Interactive Map Helps Fight HIV** ** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. El Imparcial, Mexico - Realizan pruebas de sida y s?filis de manera gratuita **** 2. Diario del Ot?n, Colombia - Sida afecta a menores de edad**** 3. ABC Digital, Paraguay - Importancia de los controles prenatales **** ** ** *****NORTH AMERICA******* 1. New York Times - Why the Global Fund Matters (OpEd) **** ** ** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** UN wants **Africa** to manufacture its own ARVs **** The Standard, ****Kenya******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Mangoa Mosota**** ** ** The UN has warned against the high dependency by African countries on external sources for HIV and Aids funding.**** ** ** The organisation?s agency mandated to tackle the disease, UNAids, described the continent?s over-reliance on donor aid as unsustainable.**** ** ** "African governments invest less on HIV/Aids than expected. For the continent as a whole, about five per cent of health budgets are allocated to the scourge, despite its causing a median of more than seven per cent of the overall burden of disease across countries," stated part of a brief posted on the agency?s website early this week.**** ** ** The brief, titled Aids Dependency Crisis: Sourcing African Solutions, reveals that two-thirds of all HIV and Aids expenditure in Africa comes from external sources.**** ** ** International support for the disease in the continent dropped by 13 per cent between 2009 and 2010 from $8.7 billion to $7.6 billion (Sh667 billion to Sh583 billion).**** ** ** The cut in funding, the first time in its ten-year history, was attributed to the global economic crisis. About Sh900 billion will be needed annually by 2015 to prevent new HIV infections and scale up treatment in Africa. Additionally, Sh307 billion more than the current expenditure is needed to effectively fight the disease.**** ** ** The agency also noted that procurement of anti-retroviral drugs was highly dependent on external funding. In 27 countries for which accurate data was available, 84 per cent of expenditure for ARV therapy originated from international sources.**** ** ** Disease burden**** In Kenya, where it is estimated that 1.5 million people are infected with HIV, development partners support 85 per cent of the HIV budget. Over 400,000 people are receiving ARVs while another 600,000 require the drugs but cannot access them.**** ** ** Among the measures mooted by UNAids to help reduce over-dependence on donor support is development of a common drug regulatory authority that would ensure access to quality, life-saving medicines.**** ** ** "Investing in local manufacturing and simplifying market access to drugs across the continent will boost the economy, reduce costs and ultimately save lives and money," reads part of the brief.**** ** ** Late last year, a Kenyan pharmaceutical company was given the go-ahead by the World Health Organisation to start producing ARV drugs ? a move that would lead to huge savings for the Government?s growing treatment programme. **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** **Angola**, sub-Saharan **Africa** urged to reduce HIV cases **** ****Angola**** Press**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Luanda - The Angolan Health Vice-minister, Evelize Frestas, defended on Wednesday in Luanda the need for Angola and sub-Saharan to continue making efforts to reduce the cases of HIV/AIDS infections, and thus slow down the death rate caused by this pandemic disease.**** **** Evelize Frestas said so during a workshop on the initiative to eliminate the new HIV infections in children.**** **** According to her, the vision by the Health Ministry aims to achieve zero new infections, combat discrimination and prevent deaths caused by this disease, thus ensuring the control and reduction of the infection within several communities.**** **** The official defended the need of focusing on prevention of early pregnancies, through greater access of teenagers to information and education campaign, such as the access to the services linked to family planning, HIV/AIDS voluntary testing and counselling.**** **** However, the minister called for the need of reviewing and updating the strategy to prevent the disease countrywide.**** **** According to Evelize Frestas, this goal requires a deep involvement of the National Health Service throughout the country, reason why all provincial health departments are committed to holding workshops.**** **** The vice minister stated that the strategic plan to combat AIDS fits all interventions in this area, whose the main challenge of the workshop is to draft the national plan for elimination of the new HIV infections in children by 2015.**** ** ** *2* NGO hails State?s pledge to AIDS patients **** ****Zambia**** Daily**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** By NIZA NAMWINGA**** ** ** THE Treatment, Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) has commended Government for expressing willingness to address challenges that may arise as a result of the one year suspension of the global fund.**** ** ** TALC national coordinator Felix Mwanza said his organisation is pleased with Government?s quick response to the challenge following the suspension of the global fund for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. **** ** ** ?We are happy that Government through the Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde has pledged to source funds for HIV, TB and malaria treatment in the country,? Mr Mwanza said. **** ** ** Mr Mwanza also said there is need for Government to assist hospices and health facilities such as Kara Clinic with funds for the HIV and AIDS response because the non availability of funds has affected their service delivery. **** ** ** He said due to the suspension of the global fund, Kara Clinic has shut down its centres in Kabwe, Chilanga and Choma.**** He said the Ministry of Health should quickly source funds to revamp operations of the clinic.**** Mr Mwanza said Zambia has recently seen a reduction in the HIV and AIDS prevalence rate as infections have gone down because patients were receiving treatment from clinics like Kara.**** ** ** He said the closure of Kara Clinic and others dealing with HIV and AIDS related illnesses may result in the recurrence of high infection levels. * *** Mr Mwanza said Government should quickly look into the plight of people living with HIV and AIDS and ensure that they easily access treatment even in the absence of the global fund. **** ** ** He appealed to the Ministry of Health to re-open all health facilities offering antiretroviral therapy that have been closed and render ensure that those threatened with closures are not closed but continue providing treatment to people living with HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** *3* Legalize prostitution to combat AIDS: ?Mama Africa? **** ****Informant?**, **Namibia******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by Clemans Miyanicwe **** ** ** The Director of Namibia?s largest sex-workers? organization, Rights not Rescue, has called upon the government to decriminalize prostitution as an important step in the fight against HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** Nicodemus Aochumub, better known as ?Mama Africa?, told Informant?: **** ** ** ?Government should decriminalize sex-work to make it easier for the industry to get access to universal health care and to enable them to lay charges with the police without the fear of being arrested. Discriminating against prostitutes will inevitably increase the HIV rate because they are helplessly exposed to abuse, even by police. We must unite in the fight against AIDS.? Mama Africa, who has been in the industry for 32 years, knows of numerous instances where police humiliated and maltreated prostitutes.**** ** ** ?How can we fight this deadly disease when law-enforcement officers take away condoms from the girls (prostitutes)? They throw them away and tell us we don?t deserve to use condoms. Some police officers force us into sex, otherwise we will end up in jail,? the Director revealed.**** ** ** Prostitutes are regularly cracked down on by law-enforcers under the Combating of Immoral Practices Act. ?This act is an apartheid law and must be abolished in an independent country. We (prostitutes) are not free even 21 years after independence. Prostitution is work and feeds many families,? emphasized Mama Africa.**** Rights not Rescue has more than 1,000 members in all 13 regions of the country. The organization educates prostitutes on HIV and AIDS and also hands out condoms. **** ** ** ?We are trying our best to protect them and their health. One thing is for sure: Decriminalizing prostitution would make a great deal in the fight against this disease,? Mama Africa is convinced. **** ?We (prostitutes) will throw our support behind those few more realistic and open-minded people like Kazenambo Kazenambo, whose only crime is to respect human rights,? he added. **** ** ** The Youth Minister came under fire from high ranking SWAPO politicians for speaking out in favour of the legalization of prostitution. According to Mama Africa, many of their clients are high-ranking and influential members of society, yet Namibian society lives in denial and turns a blind eye one the plight of sex workers.**** HIV infection among sex-workers has declined significantly in countries where prostitution is legalised. Prostitutes in Germany, for instance, are registered with the legal and health authorities, are required to undergo regular medical checks and pay tax.**** (Clemans Miyanicwe is a community reporter)**** ** ** *5* The Burden of Care on An HIV Mother **** ****Liberia**** Observer**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by by Fatoumata Fofana**** ** ** Scores of HIV-infected women who are in care at various health facilities in Liberia have called for a need to create an avenue for them to be self-employed. These women ? predominantly single moms ? have blamed stigma and discrimination for their limited or no access to livelihoods. ?In the end, we turned into beggars because of our status,? they have said. **** ** ** During a tour of three key health centers in the country last week by a high level delegation from UNITAID, the women did not mince their words emphasizing a need for them to be empowered economically. UNITAID is an international drug purchasing facility hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, who also serves as United Nations Under Secretary General for Innovative Financing, chairs it.**** ** ** A 25-year-old HIV-positive mother in care at a health facility in Monrovia told her story in these words: ?Some of my friends who have HIV are feeling ashamed to come to the hospital for medicines. For me, I make it a duty to come here every day to get my medicines, rice, beans, fish, oil, cubes.**** ** ** ?But that is not enough. My husband and I separated some years ago. He, too, is positive but our four children are negative. So, this left me with the burden to take care of the children on my own. The children need clothes, medicines and need to go to school. This hospital is not providing all of that for me. I only get food and my own medicines from here.?**** ** ** As a result, Helena resorted to doing laundry for various households in her neighborhood, in order to make the extra cash to meet other needs. But the stress in this activity is what is physically, psychologically and emotionally draining for this young woman. The above quote only reemphasizes the fact that the physical and psychological burden of HIV/AIDS falls heavily on women. This also has the propensity to persistently undermine the resilience of these positive women to the consequences of HIV/AIDS, and make adherence to treatment especially difficult.**** ** ** Helena explained that in carrying out her laundry duties, she first goes around the neighborhood to fetch eight buckets of water by hand before beginning to wash the clothes, bed sheets and other fabrics. She does this per household and is able to serve at least two homes per day.**** ** ** This young woman, like many HIV-positive mothers in Liberia, is compelled to cope with life this way. Regardless of their own ill health, they still need to care for and manage their individual households.**** ** ** This condition is, however, not unique to Helena. Beatrice is another HIV positive mother faced with harsh economic conditions. This 38-year-old mother of three children is one of the volunteers helping to retain her fellow HIV positive mothers in care at a local health facility in Monrovia. Although Beatrice doesn't seem deterred by her positive status, she is being heavily demoralized by her limited access to income-generation. All she desires is to have some funds to begin her own petty business in her neighborhood.**** ** ** ?I have been coming to this clinic to help to encourage my sisters and friends to remain in care. Some of us are very ashamed to come here. Others are rather afraid to come for treatment because there are fingers being pointed at them everyday. So, for them, they always want to remain in hiding. But those of us who have the courage to put the stigma and discrimination behind us also have to face another aspect of life and that has to do with being able to make ?small thing? (meager income) to feed our families and send our children to school,? she explained.**** ** ** Seybah is the president of HIV patients at a health center in Bong County. Though she acknowledged that HIV patients at that facility were being properly taken care of, she was quick to outline what she described as their urgent needs in these words: ?We get the drugs and we are responding to treatment. But the majority of us here are single mothers. We need money to do business.**** ** ** ?We need to educate our children ? the only gift we can give to them. We, ourselves, need to go back to school. Some of us are high school dropouts. We want our counselors, doctors to be properly trained to work with better. The ones here are not encouraging us. As a result, there are fingers being pointed at us in the communities. We need shelter because we are staying with family members who are discriminating against us.?**** ** ** But Lovetta Warner, another HIV positive mother, sees it all differently. In her testimony, she explained: ?I am the former president of the Liberian Women Empowerment Network (LIWEN). I was diagnosed positive in 2002. I am 57. I don't live with HIV. HIV lives with me. I control HIV. To cope with HIV is to sustain yourself, do something with your hands to be able to feed yourself. Like me, I have worked with my hands, sent my crouches abroad and through that, I have been able to build a house for myself.**** ** ** ?I have my own home. Being HIV positive is not the end of the world. It is not a death sentence. To hell with stigma and discrimination if I can sustain myself. Nobody can really know how they get infected with this virus. I was massively raped during the war. I have a daughter that I had before I got diagnosed. But she's negative. I have a friend to whom I will soon be getting married. He's negative. We manage it beautifully. We use condom and we have beautiful sex. But I am not a lover of female condoms. I rather he use it. He loves me a whole lot.?**** ** ** Not every HIV positive mother might be as lucky as Lovetta to withstand the test of time. The fact that she has the support of her significant other keeps her emotionally strong and going. But not in the case of Helena who was left to fend for herself and her four children. Definitely not in the case of Dorcas Johnson, a widow, left to fend for eight children and herself.**** ** ** Certainly without resources, economic empowerment, these women are vulnerable to abuses in every imaginable way. On the other side of the coin, there is also stigma and discrimination against in their communities of residence. As stated above by Seybah, those HIV mothers who cannot afford to rent their own dwelling places are compelled to endure constant stigma and discrimination from close relatives and other family members with whom these positive mothers reside. This degree of insecurity ? the threat of homelessness and destitution ? leaves women with few options. An ultimate survival strategy for many HIV positive women, especially younger ones, can be to turn to men for sex in order to buy school clothes or food for their children.**** ** ** Difficulties In Diagnosing Infants for HIV**** Meanwhile, health workers throughout the week reminded the visiting UNITAID delegation of the need to have a Polymers Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic machine in Liberia. The PCR diagnostic machine is used to diagnose infants infected with HIV. Also, Liberian medical practitioners made a call for more easy-to-use Cd4 count machines at different health centers around the country for easy assessment of HIV immunological status to the UNITAID delegation. Cd4 or Viral Load is another machine that looks at the number of virus in the blood, it is a complicated machine that is very expensive to run and is used to see if patients are failing their treatment. Many African patients still need to have access to this, and the test is not covered by the health service (Kenya and Cameroon for example).**** ** ** Detecting HIV in infants remains a major challenge in Liberia. Children born to HIV infected mothers cannot be diagnosed in the same way as older children and adults dues to the mothers' antibodies in the blood. As a result, for early infant diagnosis in this contemporary context, blood samples collected by the various health facilities across the country are shipped through the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), to South Africa for testing. Unfortunately it takes between two to three months for the results to be received. This extensive time lapse places the patients with the disease, especially infants where it is important to start treatment as early as possible, at further risk of a worsened situation or even death. PCR testing requires a good laboratory set up, expensive diagnosis machines and good access to reagents.**** ** ** With funds raised from a small tax on plane tickets in a handful of countries, including France along with regular contributions from other countries, UNITAID has been able to raise 2.5 billion of dollars to finance health commodities for the treatment of HIV TB and malaria. The organization supports public health outcomes in resource-limited settings, post-war settings and emerging economies. Tens of millions more have been spent in other countries with horrible outcomes, especially in terms of governance. Since 2007, UNITAID has operated in Liberia through UNICEF, WHO, the Clinton Foundation and the Global Fund to help improve the health needs of Liberians living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.**** ** ** *In a brief interview with the Daily Observer, UNITAID Chair Douste-Blazy disclosed that the next step for his organization in Liberia would be to invest in projects to improve diagnostics. ?We can better treat a patient if we can know how many viruses there are in the blood,? he said.* ** ** *6* HIV tests not mandatory on entry for any nationality? **** ****Jordan**** Times**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** by Khetam Malkawi**** ** ** AMMAN ? Libyans entering the country will not have to undergo mandatory HIV/AIDS testing as ?we cannot make a distinction between holders of different nationalities in health policies?, a Ministry of Health official said on Wednesday.**** ** ** Mohammad Abdallat, director of the ministry?s communicable diseases control (CDC) department, said citizens of various countries entering the Kingdom are treated in accordance with the same policy and undergo screening for communicable diseases only ?if they need a work permit or plan to undergo a surgical procedure?.**** ** ** Since the beginning of the year, the ministry has registered nine HIV/AIDS cases, 10 hepatitis B and six hepatitis C cases among non-Jordanians, he noted.**** ** ** ?Jordan is a medical hub for the countries of the region, and the number of patients seeking treatment in local hospitals is on the rise due to the unrest in some states,? Abdallat explained.**** ** ** He noted that the number of HIV and hepatitis cases discovered so far is not high compared to the influx of patients into the country.**** ** ** Currently there are more than 15,000 Libyans in the country?s hospitals and any patient diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will be deported, according to the health ministry official.**** ** ** ?We send them back to receive treatment in their country because of the high cost of medication, which amounts to JD400 a month,? he explained.**** ** ** The ministry has sent a circular to all hospitals requesting them to follow infection control measures and to inform the CDC when they discover any HIV or hepatitis case among patients, according to Abdallat.**** ** ** Although he was reluctant to comment on the number of HIV/AIDS cases detected among Libyan patients, a ministry source told The Jordan Times last week that five cases had been discovered among Libyan nationals, who were subsequently deported.**** ** ** Meanwhile, Awni Bashir, president of the Private Hospitals Association said the number of Libyan patients is on the rise and still not regulated.**** ** ** Noting that hundreds of Libyans arrive in Amman on a daily basis, he added that they come to the Kingdom for different medical purposes including plastic surgery and dental procedures.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** ?We know it?s wrong, but we don?t want to quit?**** Dawn, ****Pakistan******** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Faiza Mirza**** ** ** Raju, a 25-year-old boy from Quetta, migrated to Karachi to look for sustainable livelihood and better income prospects. Just like several other ?immigrants?, he picks garbage from various parts of Karachi. His life, however, took a devastating turn when he realised that the income prospects in Karachi are as bleak as in Quetta. Raju, who thought it wise to seek refuge in drugs, started injecting himself with heroin to drown his sorrows. **** ** ** Raju?s unidentified partner in crime was in another zone whilst injecting himself with a good dose of heroin.**** ** ** ?We know it is wrong but we do not want to quit. We use clean syringes and do not exchange them because we know it can cause Aids,? said Raju, rather incoherently, during one of his lucid moments.**** ** ** With a majority of its population living under the lower-income strata, Pakistan finds itself among the countries with an increasing number of HIV patients. Approximately 70 per cent of the total population resides in the rural areas, since agriculture remains the main source of income for many. Migratory practises and poverty have given rise to a number of diseases including Hepatitis and HIV/Aids.**** ** ** Over the last few years, HIV Aids cases have drastically increased in Pakistan, primarily amongst the injecting drug users (IDUs). Sindh and Punjab are the most affected regions because of their respective over-populated structure.**** ** ** Concentrated epidemic**** According to Dr Asma Nasim of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT) ? an expert in the area of infectious diseases ? Aids has become a ?concentrated epidemic? in Pakistan, with more than five per cent of the most-at-risk population (MARP) being infected. MARP includes all the commercial sex workers, including transvestites, IDUs and people who indulge in sexual activities with commercial sex workers. The spouses of MARPs are also under a massive threat of getting infected.**** ** ** ?Unofficial figures released by various authorities show that HIV/Aids has affected 27 per cent of the IDUS in Pakistan, as opposed to 16 per cent in the last year, which is alarmingly high. Considering the ratio of increase, it will be wise to say that the general population of Pakistan is also at risk of getting infected? Asma told Dawn.com.**** ** ** Lack of awareness, remains one of the most critical issues which, has played a pivotal role in spreading HIV/Aids.**** ** ** ?Most of the drug addicts are not unaware that the syringe being exchanged and used by 10 junkies, can cause HIV/Aids. The rest are not exactly bothered about the repercussions,? she added.**** ** ** Aids control campaigns**** Various not-for-profit and governmental organisations are trying to create awareness and curtail the spread of the disease. UNAids, Sindh Aids Control Programme and National Aids Control Programme are a few names that top the list.**** ** ** The doctors at SIUT pick IDUs and bring them to the hospital where they are tested for HIV/Aids.**** ** ** ?A CB4 cell-count test is conducted on each one of them and if the cut-off is less than 350, the IDUs are provided with a combination of zidovudine, lamivudine and nevaripine, amongst other drugs,? Asma said, adding that ?HIV/Aids patients are required to take these medicines for life?**** ** ** Success of the campaign relies on the detoxification of the addict and his/her conviction to stay away from unsafe practises which might transmit the disease.**** ** ** Rehabilitation and awareness are key to recovery, according to Dr Muhammad Zakria Kandhro ? President of Al-Nijat Welfare society ? an organisation dedicated to creating awareness about the disease. ?It is very important to detoxify the IDUs and get them used to the concept of taking medicines. They are provided with mock drugs and rehabilitated for three to six months.?**** ** ** Keeping the IDUs off the drugs can be very tricky, according to Kathleen Alexander, who is the Project Manager at the House of Hope. This, she said, is due to a low success rate, which can even come down to five per cent. Most of the IDUs relapse due to social alienation, poverty and domestic issues.**** ** ** The stigma **** Female carriers have the capacity to spread the infection at a rapid rate as the ratio of female sex workers is higher than male and transvestite sex workers in Pakistan. Female patients have a low registration rate as they are more stigmatised, due to their gender and societal norms.**** ** ** Female IDUs also live in the oblivion because the society is willing to accept a male addict but females are forbidden to reveal their fondness for ?acquired tastes.?**** ** ** ?The ratio of registered male population is higher than the female population. We have launched various awareness campaigns, which have helped bring the figures down and our Hyderabad centre is housing 250 female patients. Karachi also has a database of 50-55 female patients,? Kandhro said.**** ** ** Moreover, HIV-positive patients are also stigmatised for the ?epidemic? that they carry and are not admitted in the renowned state-owned hospitals.* *** ** ** An IDU perspective**** Ilahi Bux, a rehabilitated drug addict, is a 25-year-old boy who fell into the vicious trap of heroin. According to him poverty, domestic problems and many other economic factors enticed him to become an addict. However, he blatantly claims that back then we were not aware of the hazards of exchanging the same syringe.**** ** ** Nadeem John, another rehabilitated addict, said, ?I stopped taking heroin a year ago however was an addict for over 15 years. I have committed crimes and done every possible thing to satisfy my ?cravings?. We did not really care about HIV/Aids back then but now we do because government and organisations are putting in a lot of effort to highlight the issue.?**** ** ** Bleak future**** Global recessionary pressures and Pakistan?s stance on fight on terrorism, coupled with various other factors, have impacted the amount of donations that the international agencies previously granted Pakistan.**** ** ** ?Previously we were able to accommodate more IDUs, launch massive awareness drives and reach out to the general population because we had abundant funds. However, now we can only manage to induct 15 IDUs and HIV/Aids patients because the funding is almost nonexistent? said Alexander.**** ** ** Alexander is very pessimistic about the future of rehabilitated IDUs in Pakistan as many of the projects are closing down in the country.**** ** ** *2* Phuket to launch anti-AIDS campaign on Valentine's Day **** Phuket News**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Atchaa Khamlo and S. Fein**** ** ** PHUKET: Public health officials will launch a ?Getting to Zero AIDS? campaign on Valentine's Day to combat HIV/AIDS in Phuket, which has the highest incidence of HIV infection in Thailand, according to government statistics.**** ** ** The campaign will kick-off with a festival on February 14 at Phuket Rajabhat University, said Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) chief Sak Tanchaikul.**** ** ** There will be AIDS prevention exhibits, a student stage performance about high-risk behavior, and a debate and lecture by medical experts, said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** To draw in as many people as possible, famous singers Bew Kalayanee and Jeab Benjaporn are slated to perform at the event.**** ** ** ?The fact that Phuket has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS of any province in Thailand is a concern for the tourism industry. The PPHO will begin the ?Getting to Zero AIDS? project as part of the United Nations joint HIV/AIDS program, which aims to achieve three goals: zero new infections, zero deaths and zero stigma and discrimination,? said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** According to PPHO statistics from 1989 to December last year, there have been 7,415 HIV/AIDS patients treated in Phuket. Of these, 1,945 have died.** ** ** ** Last year 99 new cases were identified in Phuket and nine patients died.**** ** ** Phuket's huge migrant population is the reason Phuket gets the dubious distinction of being Thailand's HIV/AIDS leader.**** ** ** This is because infection rates are based on reported cases divided by the official population, as determined by the number of people registered in the province.**** ** ** Phuket's registered population is about 330,000, though official estimates have put the actual population at twice that figure.**** ** ** The PPHO?s plan is to reduce the amount of new HIV infections by about 66 per cent this year. It also hopes to reduce to less than two per cent the number of HIV-infected newborns, he said.**** ** ** The PPHO hopes to achieve its second goal of halving the annual number HIV/AIDS deaths by 2016. Providing equal medical treatment for all HIV/AIDS patients will be the key to reaching this goal, he said.**** ** ** The PPHO also hopes to introduce laws and policies that will stop discrimination against HIV/AIDS infected people in the work place by 2016, said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** *4* One-fifth of gay ****Auckland**** men with HIV unaware they are infected *** * ****New Zealand**** Herald**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** A fifth of gay and bisexual Auckland men with HIV are unaware they are infected, new research has found.**** ** ** The Otago University study is the first community-based biological measure of HIV to estimate of the rate of undiagnosed and overall HIV infection among gay and bisexual Auckland men.**** ** ** The research suggests 6.5 per cent of gay and bisexual Auckland men have HIV, with 21 per cent of those unaware they are infected.**** ** ** The finding comes after the highest number of new HIV diagnoses was recorded among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand in 2010.**** ** ** Lead investigator Peter Saxton, of Otago University's department of preventive and social medicine, said undiagnosed HIV infection rates must be taken seriously if the virus was to be better controlled.**** ** ** "A person with undiagnosed HIV cannot tell someone they're infected and might not initiate safe sex. The practical reality of this is that everyone, especially gay men, needs to become better educated, supported and proficient at safe sex to control HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,"**** ** ** The study, carried out in February last year, recruited 1049 gay and bisexual men from community settings.**** ** ** Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire and provided an anonymous saliva specimen, which could be linked together by a unique code.**** ** ** The researchers compared respondents' self-reported HIV test history with their saliva result to find 1.3 per cent of HIV positive men did not know they were infected.**** ** ** Most believed they did not have HIV, and many had previously tested for HIV. **** ** ** The overall HIV infection rate was the same for European and Maori participants, but non-European respondents were less likely to be aware they had HIV.**** ** ** Younger infected gay men also appeared to be less likely to be aware of their infection.**** ** ** Dr Saxton said while testing was a cornerstone of control and needed to be made more accessible, testing alone was not the answer.**** ** ** "There will always be a lag between infection and diagnosis, and a person is particularly infectious early in the course of HIV infection when partners can be exposed unwittingly. This is why condom use remains key to control of your own and your partner's risk," he said.**** ** ** HIV positive people who remained undiagnosed delayed treatments that could improve their quality of life and life expectancy.**** ** ** "While treatments don't eliminate the HIV virus, they keep it at low levels and also reduce a person's infectiousness to others."**** ** ** The research, carried out by ****Otago** **University****'s AIDS Epidemiology Group, was a collaboration with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.**** ** ** The findings were published in the journal BMC Public Health.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** What does the second decade hold for the Global Fund? **** The Guardian**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Annie Kelly**** ** ** At Davos last week, the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria received an unexpected birthday gift from Bill Gates in the form of a $750m "promissory note" to help shore up its faltering finances.**** ** ** In pledging his hefty financial support, Gates effectively rescued the fund's 10-year birthday celebrations. Despite its staggering successes ? including helping put 3.3 million people on Aids treatment, 8.6 million on anti-tuberculosis treatment and providing 230m insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria ? the fund's recent troubles had threatened to overshadow its accomplishments as it prepared to mark a decade as the world's main financier of programmes to fight these three global epidemics.* *** ** ** In recent years the fund has become mired in much-documented struggles with corruption, management breakdowns and a crippling $2bn funding shortfall, all compounded by the swiftness of the global economic downturn and donor fatigue.**** ** ** There are fears that the knock-on decision to suspend the fund's 11th round of funding and not disperse any more money until 2014 will have catastrophic consequences. There are predictions that without continued support countries such as **Zambia** and ****Malawi**** will struggle to keep pace with infection rates and keep people on lifesaving medication, impacting on millions of vulnerable patients.**** ** ** Gate's pledge was a show of faith that provided more than just a much-needed cash boost as he urged donors and the world to keep confidence in the fund's ability to "[get] so much bang for our buck".**** ** ** Restore reputation**** The fund hopes that this, coupled with the departure of its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, and the commissioning of an independent review that recommended an overhaul of its grant management and financial practices, will help re-establish its reputation as it steps into its second decade.**** ** ** While all of this is clearly good news for the beleaguered fund, some frontline agencies are still reluctant to join in the celebrations.**** ** ** M?decins Sans Fronti?res' (MSF) HIV adviser, Sharonann Lynch, says Gates's cash should be a wake-up call for the fund's new board to "get back to work". "When addressing epidemics, the number one factor is speed ? and this isn't the time to hit the snooze button," she says.**** ** ** "Over the past few years the sense of urgency which once defined the work of the fund has become greatly diminished, and the board basically gave themselves a holiday instead of stepping up and doing their job and ensuring that the funding shortfall was made up. On the one hand, they have a new ambitious strategy for change; and on the other, they have effectively closed for business. And it is this lack of coherence that we find troubling ? and patients will come to find deadly."**** ** ** ** ** On the back of the new injection of funding, MSF is pushing for the fund to hold an emergency donor conference so that affected countries can apply for new grants and expand life-saving treatment this year. It is also urging the fund to become more creative in ensuring that it doesn't get caught on the back foot of funding cuts again.**** ** ** "On top of voluntary funding, we also need predictable mechanisms ? such as the financial transaction tax currently being debated in **Europe** ? with part of funds generated to be dedicated to global health, including the Global Fund," adds Lynch.**** ** ** Sir Richard Feachem, a founding executive of the fund in 2002 and now the director of the Global Health Group at the ****University** of **California* ***, agrees that the fund must become more flexible. "Times have changed since we founded the fund and I think [it] certainly should have been more agile in foreseeing the impact of the global financial crisis on its income and in re-engineering in ways that would allow continued progress in the light of constrained income," he says.**** ** ** Value for money**** Feachem argues that to do this the fund now needs to focus strongly on value for money ? an opportunity he believes has not yet been seized on by the management team as it scrambles to regroup.**** ** ** "Despite the independent review and the raft of recommendations and reforms, there needs to be a very strong move towards a cash on delivery or pay for performance model, which has not happened yet," he says. "Such a model is perfect for the fund, is consistent with its founding principles, would help move the fund away from the problems of corruption, and would improve efficiency enormously by, for example, setting a standard price for each unit of outcome or output."**** ** ** So how else can the fund ensure it regains momentum and moves forward into it's second decade?**** ** ** According to Alvaro Bermejo, executive director of the International HIV/Aids Alliance and current Global Fund board member, the fund can no longer rely on the discourse of panic and emergency.**** ** ** "It's important to understand the context in which the fund was created in 2002, which was very much as an emergency response, something which people tend to forget now," he says. "In this super rapid scale-up, the discourse at the time was that we were in emergency, so of course there was going to be some corruption and some mismanagement, which was right in the start but, as you develop and begin to know your enemy better, this has become insufficient."**** ** ** Bermejo says this has meant that as infection rates have started dropping, the fund's rhetoric has effectively become counter-productive, feeding the perception among some donors that the emergency is over.**** ** ** "Because the Fund didn't adapt its message it worked against the idea that there was still an urgent need for continued and sustained funding," he says. "And this needs to be urgently addressed."**** ** ** Elimination and eradication**** He argues that now the fund needs to look towards the language coming from the ****US**** ? from donors like Bill Gates and politicians such as Hillary Clinton ? calling for elimination and eradication of malaria and Aids within a generation. This, he says, could provide the fuel needed to keep the engine of the fund running over the next decade.**** ** ** "In Europe we're more scared of failure, so we don't like words like eradication, but there is no standing still when it comes to fighting infectious diseases," he says. "The fund has to find ways of reinjecting that urgency and determination back into its work over the next decade even if infection rates continue to decline."**** ** ** Feachem says a "certain complacency" must now be rectified by creative and positive change. If this happens, he believes the fund can even expand it's work to tackle other global health epidemics.**** ** ** "The fund needs to continue to pioneer a model for development finance that is a 21st-century model, and not a 1960s model, as still practised by most institutions. If continuing innovation can guide the development of the Global Fund, then I can see it eventually taking on additional tasks, such as maternal and neonatal health and becoming a real force for long-term change.**** ** ** "However, in the short-term, the main priority must be ensuring that the extraordinary progress in the fight against Aids, TB and malaria achieved in the past 10 years does not get reversed."**** ** ** *3* GSK's Andrew Witty on the future of pharma collaboration to help poor countries **** The Guardian**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** SarahBoseley?s GlobalHealthBlob**** Posted by Sarah Boseley**** ** ** Just before the all-singing, all-dancing launch of the big initiative to control or eliminate 10 neglected diseases ? starring 13 CEOs from Big Pharma, the WHO's director general, Margaret Chan, and Bill Gates ? I grabbed a few words with Sir Andrew Witty, head of GlaxoSmithKline, who co-chaired the negotiations over the past year with Gates.**** ** ** I was keen to know who was responsible for getting 13 CEOs, or as someone described it to me, 13 huge egos, together round the table. Was it Gates? Was it Chan? Was it Witty? Diplomatically, everybody said it was a combination of all of them. So I asked Witty to expand on this new spirit of collaboration among billion-dollar companies that used to fight tooth and nail.**** ** ** Here, in his own words, without further comment from me, is what he said:*** * ** ** ?We basically decided a little over a year ago that the NTDs [neglected tropical diseases] was an area where we could make some impact, get some traction.**** ** ** The WHO 2020 goals gave us a focus to put some hard expectations in place: which diseasses, by when? How are we going to get this done?**** ** ** I've been delighted at the energy we've found in the other companies. It's great to make individual progress, but if we could just get the broader front to move then something much bigger could be achieved and this is it, I think.**** ** ** The biggest achievement over the last year, I think, has been to get some of the companies to really massively increase their commitments, so that everybody is kind of at this at an industrial level, and I hope that what everybody is going to see today is an industry at its best, actually.**** ** ** We saw with that with the intellectual property ? We've now seen 13 companies signed up to Wipo [World intellectual Property Organisation] with something which has built a model around the GSK patent pool, and we've signed up ourselves to that. So actually here we are, two and a half years later, where pretty much all the IP [intellectual property], all the analagous IP to the kind of things we were offering up a couple of years ago, is now available or will be available through Wipo. So I think you are beginning to see a shift in the industry. I think this won't be the end of it.**** ** ** I think this is reinforcing for all the CEOs that there are sensible areas where we can work together for the public good, for society's good. We can still compete like crazy in other areas, but there are areas where we can work sensibly together and, guess what, there are also changes to the business model which allow us to be succesful in areas which have historically been very difficult. So, for example, you might have opening up IP today ? we and others are opening up more compound libraries for more research into difficult disease areas. We can be more flexible in the business model than the industry has been historically. It doesn't mean the industry can't compete but we can do things a bit differently.**** ** ** I think today's a big, big step forward. There will always be more we can do. My prediction is the next discussion will be how do we synchronise better on the ground, what are the logistical challenges on the ground to actually get things done efficiently, what about capacity-building, healthcare workers ? as you know, one of the things we've done is to put 20% of our profits back into capacity-building which is going directly to healthcare workers. I think that will be the next step. In terms of what should this industry be doing preferentially, it should be making available the drugs which nobody else has for people in these countries who suffer from these diseases ? we're doing that today ? and we should be committing ourselves to discover more, better drugs for the future, and we're doing that today and we're collaborating with others to maker it happen quicker.?* *** ** ** *4***** ****Ukraine****: Online Interactive Map Helps Fight HIV**** Global Voices**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by**** Maryna Reshetnyak**** ** ** Ukraine has a high number of HIV infected people. To address this problem private Ukrainian Charity Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS foundation in partnership with the Ukrainian office of Google launched the news social service maps.antiaids.org on December 1, 2011, the World Aids Day. The new service will help Ukrainian Internet users easier and faster to find the sites of HIV testing in their region as well as condom vending machines.**** ** ** The web-site of ANTIAIDS foundation reported that in the framework of the project for the fist time in Ukraine a database 927 sites of HIV testing was created.**** ** ** The interactive map shows not only the address of a particular site but also telephone numbers and the information about business hours. It also lists whether the site is unanimous or a person needs to present the ID. The database includes 173 sites of fast testing where a person can get the results in 15-20 minutes.**** ** ** In addition, the HIV Testing Sites map service contains a FAQ section where a user can find all the information necessary for HIV testing such as how long to wait for a test results, is it possible to receive the results via e-mail or telephone, how much it will cots, what is the procedure of the testing and how to interpret the result, what to do if the results are positive or negative.**** ** ** All this information is available not only in Internet but also on HIV/AIDS national hotline.**** ** ** The condoms wending machines map helps people of major Ukrainian cities to find the nearest machine and to receive the instructions on how to use it. The advantages of the machines are speed and simplicity and that people can purchase the condoms anonymously, without attracting attention of other people and without and interaction with shop assistance like in supermarkets or pharmacies, ANTIAIDS web-site reported.**** ** ** According to Google Ukraine blog the future plan of the project includes implementing improved navigation map and preparation of the mobile version of the service.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Realizan pruebas de sida y s?filis de manera gratuita **** El Imparcial, Mexico**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Por Rub?n A. Ruiz**** raruiz at elimparcial.com**** ** ** Pruebas gratuitas de sida y s?filis, entre otras, se est?n llevando a cabo gratuitamente en las jornadas de Mi?rcoles Ciudadano, anunci? la directora municipal de Salud, Gabriela de Le?n de Quintero.**** ** ** Inform? que se hacen por parte de la Secretar?a de Salud por medio de los centros Capasits, dedicado a prevenci?n y atenci?n a enfermos de sida y otras enfermedades de transmisi?n sexual.**** ** ** ?Estamos en una etapa que preferimos medicina preventiva que curar enfermedades, por eso se est? ofreciendo gratuitamente a la gente que crea necesario y saber cu?l es su estado y si tiene o no sida?, coment?.**** ** ** La funcionaria invit? a la comunidad a aprovechar esta oportunidad, sobre todo aquellos que hayan tenido una conducta de riesgo o que no est?n seguros de su pareja.**** ** ** ?La persona acude aqu?, se hace la prueba, para saber si tiene anticuerpos contra sida, es una gota de sangre, si sale positiva tiene que acudir al Capasits para hacer la prueba siguiente que es Elisa.**** ?Y otra prueba m?s indicativa para empezar su tratamiento, cualquier gente que crea que ha tenido una conducta de riesgo por relaciones sexuales sin cond?n o sea drogadicto o se inyecte con jeringas usadas puede acudir?, explic?.**** ** ** Asimismo, continu?, en el caso de mujeres embarazadas, ya que con un tratamiento a tiempo puede evitar que su hijo nazca con la enfermedad.**** ** ** Es de destacar que tambi?n pueden acudir de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a 13:00 horas al centro Capasits, ubicado por la avenida Jes?s Garc?a, donde en forma gratuita se le hace la prueba.**** ** ** *3* Sida afecta a menores de edad**** Diario del Ot?n, Colombia**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Pereira, Dosquebradas, Santa Rosa de Cabal y La Virginia, son los cuatro municipios risaraldenses seleccionados para la puesta en marcha de un proyecto de prevenci?n del VIH-Sida.**** ** ** Menores de 12, 15 y 17 a?os de edad hacen parte de la lista de los 234 casos nuevos registrados de VIH en Risaralda en el a?o 2011, de los cuales 150 se presentaron en Pereira, 47 en Dosquebradas, 8 en Santa Rosa de Cabal y 7 en La Virginia, municipios que hacen parte de los 75 seleccionados en Colombia para comenzar a ejecutarse un proyecto internacional de lucha contra el Sida.**** ** ** Aunque la incidencia de Sida en menores de edad es baja en el departamento, seg?n la Secretar?a de Salud de Risaralda se registraron al menos cinco casos de adolescentes contagiados el a?o pasado y a?n no se ha determinado el mecanismo de transmisi?n.**** ** ** La presencia de casos de la enfermedad en menores de edad tiene en alerta a las autoridades de salud que este a?o acompa?ar? la ejecuci?n de un proyecto en construcci?n de capacidad comunitaria e institucional para la oferta de servicios preventivos de salud y reducci?n de la morbimortalidad y vulnerabilidad asociada al VIH-Sida en grupos claves afectados.**** ** ** Campa?as de entrega de condones, promoci?n de pruebas de tamizaje para diagnosticar la enfermedad, capacitaciones a personal m?dico, charlas a la comunidad y trabajo articulado con fundaciones que trabajan con personas con VIH-Sida, har?n parte de las acciones que ser?n implementadas este a?o en los cuatro municipios risaraldenses con mayor incidencia de la enfermedad.**** ** ** De lo 234 casos que se presentaron en el 2011, 158 fueron hombres y 75 mujeres, los cuales en su mayor?a son heterosexuales.**** ** ** El proyecto que actualmente es implementado en cuatro municipios de Risaralda fue impulsado por la Novena Ronda del Fondo Mundial de Lucha Contra el Sida, en la que particip? Colombia, y donde se asignaron unos recursos importantes para la ejecuci?n del programa de prevenci?n durante cinco a?os.**** ** ** El coordinador del programa en Colombia es una ONG denominada CMF, quien se encarg? de la selecci?n de 75 municipios del pa?s, con base a las cifras de incidencia de la enfermedad.**** ** ** La poblaci?n que ha contra?do en el ?ltimo a?o VIH en el departamento, en su gran mayor?a, tiene edades comprendidas entre 20 y 39 a?os, seguida por los mayores de 50, lo que representa que los riesgos de contagio en j?venes son m?s elevados que en otras edades. Usar preservativo es la ?nica manera de prevenir esta enfermedad que desde su inicio en Colombia en 1983 hasta el pasado julio, han padecido 83.467 personas aproximadamente.**** ** ** Es de resaltar que las cifras de incidencia en la regi?n pueden ser mayores, muchos ciudadanos pueden ser portadores y no saberlo, pues el VIH es asintom?tico y hasta que no se realicen los ex?menes correspondientes no se dar?n cuenta.**** ** ** Es importante aclarar que el VIH no es lo mismo que el Sida, mientras el primero se trata de la existencia del Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana en la persona es asintom?tico. El segundo, el Sida, es una etapa avanzada de la infecci?n por VIH con presencia de s?ntomas.**** ** ** *4***** Importancia de los controles prenatales **** ABC Digital, Paraguay**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Difunden la importancia del control prenatal con el lema ?Mam? sana, beb? sano?, desde el Ministerio de Salud P?blica.**** ** ** * Es importante que las embarazadas asistan a los controles prenatales, cuiden su salud y alimentaci?n para asegurar su bienestar y el de su beb?. Este control debe ser peri?dico y precoz, antes del cuarto mes de embarazo, recomienda la cartera sanitaria. Advierte que si no se llevan a cabo los controles pertinentes, en caso de padecer alguna patolog?a, el cuadro podr?a agravarse.**** ** ** Control precoz**** ** ** * Es necesario el monitoreo permanente de ambas personas. Este control debe ser precoz, antes del cuarto mes de embarazo, y abarca no solo los an?lisis laboratoriales, sino tambi?n inspecciones f?sicas peri?dicas a cargo de profesionales m?dicos y de la propia madre sobre su cuerpo.**** ** ** * Recu?rdese que tanto las consultas m?dicas como los an?lisis laboratoriales y las ecograf?as son brindados gratuitamente en cualquiera de los servicios dependientes del Ministerio de Salud. Los ex?menes incluyen pruebas de hemograma, glicemia, tipificaci?n, VIH y VDRL.**** ** ** An?lisis necesarios**** * Una madre puede estar aparentemente sana, sin embargo, puede tener alguna de estas infecciones (VIH, s?filis), que se adquieren por v?a sexual y pueden pasar muchos a?os sin presentar ning?n s?ntoma.**** * Si el resultado del an?lisis es positivo, se deben iniciar cuanto antes las medidas para reducir la posibilidad de que el ni?o nazca con VIH, se infecte con s?filis o muera.**** ** ** * Estos an?lisis se realizan en la mayor?a de los hospitales dependientes del Ministerio de Salud P?blica, son sencillos y se necesita una sola muestra de sangre para ambos.**** *Si la prueba de VIH o s?filis da positiva, la criatura est? en peligro si no se toman las medidas pertinentes de protecci?n. El virus del VIH se puede transmitir durante el embarazo, durante el parto o a trav?s de la leche materna. Sin tratamiento, entre el 25 al 40% de los nacidos de madres con VIH contraen el virus, y el 70% de los nacidos de madres con s?filis mueren al poco tiempo de nacer o sufren ceguera, retardo mental, deformaci?n facial u otros s?ntomas.**** *?Se puede hacer algo para que el beb? no nazca con este virus? La criatura puede nacer sana. Apenas se recibe el resultado positivo del an?lisis, se debe iniciar el tratamiento con medicamentos espec?ficos, los medicamentos contra el virus del VIH son gratuitos. Adem?s el m?dico debe programar el parto por ces?rea, antes de que inicien las contracciones de la madre, quien tampoco deber? amamantar al reci?n nacido, pues la leche materna contiene el virus; por su parte, la criatura recibir? un medicamento por 42 d?as para reducir la posibilidad de contraer el virus.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Why the Global Fund Matters (OpEd) **** New York Times**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** By PAUL FARMER**** ** ** Ten years ago, the heads of the G-8 countries met in Genoa, Italy, to back the establishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ? a new funding mechanism that dramatically increased resources available to fight preventable, treatable diseases stalking the poor and depleting developing economies around the globe**** ** ** In 2001, very few people ? almost none, really ? living with H.I.V. in Africa had access to antiretroviral medicines. Today, more than 3.3 million people ? more than half of those on treatment worldwide ? are on treatment supported by the Global Fund: A true victory for the global community. The fund and the U.S. international AIDS program, Pepfar (the President?s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program), are the most ambitious global health endeavors in generations. **** ** ** Now, 10 years since its founding, the Global Fund is facing a serious financial shortfall, and the fund?s board voted recently not to accept new grant requests until at least 2014. Bill Gates? announcement of a $750 million contribution to the fund in Davos last week was welcome news ? the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been among the greatest supporters of the Global Fund since its inception ? but will not change the board?s decision. They knew of Gates? donation before they canceled the current round of grant-making. **** ** ** This funding deficit hit right when the end of AIDS became plausible: Last year, scientific breakthroughs provided conclusive evidence that putting more people on treatment earlier can significantly reduce incidence of H.I.V. Treatment is prevention. **** ** ** Beyond AIDS, the Global Fund is currently the largest donor in the world for tuberculosis and malaria programs. Operating in 150 countries, it has treated more than 8 million cases of tuberculosis and distributed 230 million insecticide-treated nets. Deaths from malaria are down nearly 40 percent in most of Africa. The question is not whether the Global Fund works, but how to ensure it keeps working for years to come. **** ** ** In my mind, there are four reasons this is imperative: **** ** ** First, the world needs to expand, not contract, access to health care because of the sheer burden of disease. It is unconscionable that, in 2012, we are still living in a world where millions of poor people die of preventable and treatable diseases. **** ** ** Second, the Fund doesn?t simply give handouts; it takes the longer road of investing in and working with health ministries. In doing so, it seeks to build (or rebuild) local health systems, develop platforms for transparency and accountability, boost local procurement and improve supply chains, and help train civil servants and health professionals. **** ** ** This approach has had profound spillover effects on other health and development priorities. In central Haiti, for example, establishing effective treatment programs for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has raised the standard of care for chronic conditions like major mental illness, heart failure and several forms of cancer. **** ** ** Third, the Global Fund proves how much multilateral organizations can accomplish. While the usual players ? the G-8, say ? bear the greatest financial burden, I would urge some of the recipient countries to consider themselves partners of and contributors to the fund. In today?s global economy, countries like India, Russia and China play meaningful roles as donors and as recipients of grants. Gabriel Jaramillo, a Brazilian banker who last week was named the fund?s general manager, will surely strengthen these links and reinvigorate its leadership. The Global Fund is a truly multilateral organization, and stronger for it. **** ** ** Fourth, a recession is a lousy excuse to starve one of the best (and only) instruments we have for helping people who live on a few dollars a day. Most marginalized populations around the globe have always faced economic contraction; ?financial crisis? has been ongoing for them since the day they were born. It would be a great mistake to allow one of the world?s most effective global health institutions to fail because we need to get our own fiscal house in order. **** ** ** Along with Pepfar, the Global Fund has, without question, helped turn the corner on AIDS. It has also helped realize substantial gains against TB and malaria that must be maintained. We need to summon the funding and political will, now, to protect the hard-fought progress of the past decade. **** ** ** Simply put, if we allow the fund to fail, many people will die, and we will forfeit the chance at the ?AIDS-free generation? that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for in November. This is no time to step back. **** ** ** *Paul Farmer is chairman of the department of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School and a cofounder of Partners in Health, which has received support from the Global Fund in Haiti, Lesotho and Russia. * *A version of this op-ed appeared in print on February 2, 2012, in The International Herald Tribune*. **** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120203/e3c31eef/attachment-0003.html From thanhhien at abtvn.com Tue Jan 31 02:06:30 2012 From: thanhhien at abtvn.com (Hien Nguyen) Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:06:30 -0800 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Abt Associates Inc - Carrer Opportunity Message-ID: <9BBF2352C397394C9982A6FA38463B1B06950E4771@VA3DIAXVS951.RED001.local> Dear All, Abt Associates Inc. is now seeking for a talented, dynamic and highly motivated Vietnamese individuals for our new project in Danang city. We therefore would appreciate if you could help us to circulate the attached Vacancy Announcement among those who have interest. Thanks and B. Regards Hien Nguyen Thanh Hien Abt Associates Inc. 3rd Floor, 72 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho District, Hanoi Tel: 84-4-37185716 (162) Fax: 84-4-37182652 ________________________________ This message may contain privileged and confidential information intended solely for the addressee. Please do not read, disseminate or copy it unless you are the intended recipient. If this message has been received in error, we kindly ask that you notify the sender immediately by return email and delete all copies of the message from your system. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment-0005.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Type: application/msword Size: 147968 bytes Desc: Newspaper Advertisement Revised- Vietnam January 17 2012.doc Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120130/2bc7f913/attachment-0005.doc From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Wed Feb 1 02:21:18 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:21:18 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (12.01.31ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103506@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103506@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: ** Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. The Africa Report - HIV/AIDS: ****Africa** is too dependent**** * * ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* 1. The Herald, ****Zimbabwe**** - Giving Is the Way Out of Poverty**** 2. The New Times, **Rwanda** - ****Rwanda****: Mrs. Kagame Takes Part in First Ladies' Assembly Against HIV**** 3. East Africa News Post - ****RWANDA****: HIV positive women denied inheritance rights ? report**** 4. GhanaWeb - HIV Caregivers face isolation **** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* 1. ****VietNam**** News - Gov't support for HIV/AIDS fight needed **** ** ** ***EUROPE***** 1. The Guardian, **UK** - Violent prejudice against ****Jamaica****'s gay people must stop**** 2. Reuters AlertNet - East Africans warn funding cuts will increase AIDS deaths**** 3. Reuters Aler - Helping HIV Patients in ****Lebanon******** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. El Universal, Mexico - M?xico frente al VIH: un panorama adverso para 2012 **** 2. Radio Habana, Cuba - Cuba: una eficaz estrategia en la lucha contra el SIDA**** 3. **Stabroek News**, **Guyana** - ****Guyana**** health ministry to focus on STIs overshadowed by HIV**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** 1. The New York Times - AIDS Prevention Inspires Ways to Make Circumcisions Easier**** 2. The New York Times - New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect**** 3. Huffington Post - Ten Years of The Global Fund: a Crossroads and a Choice **** 4. Associated Press - Design chosen for NYC AIDS memorial park **** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* 1. UNAIDS ? UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** HIV/AIDS: **Africa** is too dependent**** The **Africa** Report**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Africa is too dependent on external resources, especially for the Aids response and this must change, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidib?, told the continent's leaders at the AU summit at Addis Ababa**** ** ** "This is a source of great risk and potential instability. The status quo cannot be sustained - it is time for a new development paradigm that is developed and owned by the leaders of Africa," he said.**** ** ** A press release by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) secretariat in Accra on Sunday says Sidibe asked African governments to take on a greater share of Aids investments in their countries, since financing a sustainable response to the HIV epidemic in Africa requires home-grown and innovative solutions.**** ** ** This comes after a report in November 2011, by UNAIDS, charged with the international campaign against HIV and Aids, indicated that new infections were declining sharply as a result of a better anti-retroviral therapy coverage with the most dramatic increases in anti-retroviral therapy coverage occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.**** ** ** The report revealed that the decreasing infection rates were due to changes in sexual behaviour, increased condom use and people waiting longer before becoming sexually active with 47 percent HIV+ people now receiving treatment out of 14.2 million eligible people in low and middle income countries, but Sidib? maintained that it was high time Africa took control of the HIV/Aids situation.**** ** ** Scaling up**** An estimated two-thirds of Aids expenditure in Africa comes from international funding, according to a new UNAIDS study titled "Aids dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions," which reveals that a vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in Africa were imported from generic manufacturers.**** ** ** But experts say that whilst the cost of HIV drug regimens have declined significantly in recent years, they remained high and unsustainable, and prices must be further reduced to reach all people eligible for treatment.** ** ** ** Nonetheless, Africa will require between US$11 and US$12 billion for its Aids response by 2015 and US$3 and US$4 billion more than the current expenditure, UNAIDS estimates show.**** ** ** And to attain its zero infection, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths strategy UNAIDS said in last year's report that it needed "a scaling up of funding to US$22 - 24 billion in 2015". However, only US$15 billion was available for the Aids response in low and middle income countries during the latter half of last year.**** ** ** Generating revenue**** Nepad has suggested that revenue generating sources should include taxing alcohol and tobacco consumption or the use of mobile telephones. African leaders could also explore the wider use of "soft loans" from the African Development Bank.**** ** ** Having a single African Medicines Regulatory Agency could also expedite the rollout of quality assured HIV drugs, as well as the development of centres of excellence in Africa to catalyse the local production of high-quality HIV medicines and build Africa's knowledge-based economy.**** ** ** Africa accounted for 70 percent of the world's new infections in 2010 registering about 1.2 million HIV/Aids related deaths despite the sharp decline in HIV infection levels.**** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** Giving Is the Way Out of Poverty**** The Herald, ****Zimbabwe******** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By Gertrude Takawira**** ** ** Everything he touches seems to prosper. Bill Gates gave us his innovations in information and communication technology, by co-founding and building Microsoft to global extends. Gates became the second richest man in the world after the Mexican Carlos Slim.**** ** ** His innovations have taken a new twist. This time, instead of amassing riches, he is giving it out for the good of all. Interestingly both ventures, creating wealth and philanthropy, are a success for Gates.**** ** ** So successful is Gates that he had the confidence to take both good and rotten cassava to this year 2012, Davos for presentation at the World Economic Forum, a high profile event typically associated with caviar.**** ** ** In addition to material wealth, success includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, spiritual, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being and peace of mind. Wrongly, many people tend to limit success to financial and material terms, and thus miss out on the true joy of life.**** ** ** The joy of fulfilling one's desires with effortless ease is how nature or the universe provides for us, rather that the gruelling hard labour, upon which current global system is founded.**** ** ** Thus true success is measured through giving and receiving, which are age old principles upon which the universe is designed to avail abundance to all creation.**** ** ** There is a lot of literature in both secular and spiritual languages, which teach us on the need to be in harmony or in unity with divine systems. Disunity, bring about sickness, poverty, environmental challenges, wars and general lack instead of abundance.**** ** ** One the other hand, giving and receiving ensure consistent flow of provisions, just as the flow of blood ensures nourishment to all our body systems. Any amount of hoarding exerts pressure on the universal trading system and constricts free flow of wealth and provisions.**** ** ** This insight and vision, which some have relegated to churches and charity bodies, others doubt it totally, others have abused it and yet others still are loyal to, is what Gates is now being innovative about.**** ** ** Eradicating polio for instance is one of his goals for a better world. His philanthropy is on a grand scale. He plans to eradicate diseases in his lifetime that have plagued humanity for thousands of years.**** ** ** The Bill and Melinda Foundation is the world's largest philanthropic organisation which donates about US$300 million a year to agriculture projects, a little more than one-tenth of its overall annual commitments. About half of the organisation's money goes to health care, including efforts to fight AIDS, polio and malaria, while the rest is dedicated to education and other programmes.**** ** ** The novelty about Bill Gates' latest philanthropic interests is in the realisation that if the wealthiest individuals and families do not give, then the global wealth creation system will simply dry up.**** ** ** Watching men and women at Davos, painstakingly trying to place their fingers on the cause and solutions to the economic downturn and the euro zone crisis, it is evident that these political and economic leaders have run out of ideas.**** ** ** When corporate leadership realises and deliberately engage in a culture of giving, more wealth will be shared and therefore released into circulation. More work gets done with ease and greater success and ultimate benefit for all also gets realised.**** ** ** Social responsibility becomes the corporate culture and the multitudes forms of rot are eliminated. Junior Murchison said, "Money is like manure. If you spread it around it does a lot of good. But if you pile it up in one place it stinks like hell".**** ** ** In societies across the world, there are lots of examples of individuals who once received large amounts of riches, but failed to give and share, there lifestyles in many ways became like a pile of manure. This pattern follows the principles of the universe, which operates through dynamic exchange.**** ** ** This exchange must be kept flowing through giving and receiving. The corporate, has in its custody large sums of money, which although some of it is released through taxes, more through the principle of giving must be shared, thankfully.**** ** ** Gates is applying the same attention to detail that made him such a business success into his new found passion of saving lives. This illustrates the enthusiasm which can only come through a grateful and joyful spirit.**** ** ** When addressing a school in the UK recently, Bill Gates explained how his foundation was systematically working to get rid of every last case of polio, a scourge which paralysed hundreds and thousands of people each year. **** ** ** The giving is not only limited to money or financial means, but also time and whatever it is that one desires to see in abundant supply. Some societies believe in this principle of giving and receiving, so much that they will give something, even if it a flower or a smile to each person they came across.**** ** ** One of the first things taught to a small child is to give and receive. Here in Africa, businesses do not have to look far to find opportunities to give. Poverty in our resource rich continent is prevalent. It is one area, which if every corporate on the continent would make it their goal to eradicate, should soon fade away.**** ** ** In fact, every corporate governance system should consider poverty a risk factor to the long term sustainability of business. When a business is surrounded by poverty, it does not flourish.**** ** ** Enjoying the fruits of the business, among the poor is impossible as one will constantly be reminded of poverty and someone will always want to take their place. I believe that the corporate leadership is able and can stand up to this challenge if they set their minds to it. The goal is equity.**** ** ** As if philanthropy is not enough for Gates, he recently appeared in one television programme, saying that he believes the rich in America, are currently not paying enough taxes and that they should pay more.**** ** ** This language is not common in the corporate world. A transformation is certainly taking place among the likes of Gates, members of the Giving Pledge and other wealthy people around the world including China.**** ** ** Poverty eradication can not be left to governments. The corporate has a role to play. If they diligently apply the same success factors in their businesses to the poverty eradication cause, it should be possible to turn millions of people living in poverty, into a productive society, one which has the capacity to give and receive.**** ** ** In that way the universe is kept busy in productive and not destructive pursuits. It then becomes possible for nations to enjoy peace and harmony.** ** ** ** Many business people have admired Bill Gates for having been among the richest man in the world. He provided solutions to the ICT sector which almost every one of the 7 billion people around the world has directly or indirectly benefited from.**** ** ** Now he is onto providing a different kind of solution, this time to a poignant challenge to humanity, through giving. How many in the corporate leadership will not only admire, but also emulate Gates?**** ** ** *The writer is a researcher and consultant in governance.* ** ** *2* ****Rwanda****: Mrs. Kagame Takes Part in First Ladies' Assembly Against HIV **** The New Times, ****Rwanda******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By Edwin Musoni**** ** ** Rwanda's First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, was among other African First Ladies who attended the eleventh Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/ Aids (OAFLA) General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.**** ** ** The meeting, whose theme is "An HIV/AIDS free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today," is held alongside the 18th AU summit in Addis Ababa which President Paul Kagame is attending.**** ** ** The First Ladies' meeting aimed at addressing issues on maternal mortality and the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS, revitalisation of OAFLA members and resource mobilisation.**** ** ** In her speech at the opening ceremony, the President of OAFLA; the First Lady of Namibia, Mrs. Penehupifo Pohamba, underscored the need to scale up EMTCT services with special emphasis on male involvement.**** ** ** A statement from the Mrs. Kagame's office indicates that, "In Rwanda the percentage of male involvement in EMTCT services is 83 percent".**** ** ** "Other guests at the General Assembly included the Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidib? and Mrs. Ban Soon Taek, wife of the UN Secretary General," it adds.**** ** ** During the seven years since the establishment of OAFLA, the African Ladies have accomplished various goals in their countries as well as regions. The results of their efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of children, women and youth on the continent.**** ** ** OAFLA was formed in 2002 by 37 First African First Ladies with the goal of advocating for the mobilisation of awareness and resources as well as the development of leadership, policies, strategies and actions to fight HIV/AIDS at the national, regional and global level.**** ** ** *3* ****RWANDA****: HIV positive women denied inheritance rights ? report **** **East Africa** New Post**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Women living with HIV/Aids in Gasabo and Nyanza districts are being denied their rights to inherit family property by their spouses and other relatives, a research conducted by the Women?s Network for Rural Development, commonly known by its French moniker Reseaux Des Femmes, has shown.**** ** ** According to the research, carried out in three sectors in each of the districts, husbands say they cannot offer property to someone destined for death, leaving women stranded.**** ** ** Worse, they are threatened and, at times, thrown out of their marital homes once the husband dies, says the report, made public at a workshop in Remera, Kigali last week.**** ** ** The survey, sponsored by UN Women, focussed on issues related to women?s property and inheritance in the context of HIV/Aids.**** ** ** Nutritional needs were highlighted as the other challenges facing the women, it said**** ** ** The research was carried out as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of women?s vulnerability to HIV/Aids through enhanced advocacy and increasing their access to property, according to Beata Busasa, the National Coordinator for Women?s Network for Rural Development.**** ** ** ?The research provides broader understanding of the challenges to women infected with HIV. People living with HIV need a lot of support to live their full lives just like anybody else,? Busasa said in an interview with The New Times.**** ** ** In the case of discordant couples (where one partner is negative), the report says, women are mistreated and accused of being responsible for bringing the virus.**** ** ** With an estimated three percent of the adult population infected with HIV, Rwanda is less affected than other regional countries.**** ** ** The National Strategic Plan on HIV and Aids 2009 to 2012 provides that people infected and affected by HIV have the same opportunities as the general population.**** ** ** However, grassroots leaders are not keen to resolve issues of violation of the inheritance rights of women infected with the virus, the report indicated. **** ** ** And most women, especially in rural areas, are ignorant of where to seek appropriate help in case their rights are abused, the researchers said.**** ** ** *5* HIV Caregivers face isolation **** GhanaWeb**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Ho, Jan 30, GNA - Mr Livinus Acquah-Jackson Executive Director, New Seed International has hinted that Caregivers of persons suffering from the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are being shunned.**** ** ** He gave the hint at a workshop organized in Ho by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), for Directors of NGOs in HIV/AIDS and Paralegals.**** ** ** New Seed International based at Sokode near Ho, provides care for persons with HIV/AIDS and takes custody of orphans whose parents have died from the disease.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson said once people got to know that you were into HIV/AIDS work they would not want to be associated with you lest they be suspected of being HIV positive.**** ** ** Recounting his experience, Mr Acquah-Jackson said anytime he entered a house, people would want to know whether there was somebody with the disease in that house.**** ** ** He said as a result people were reluctant to admit him in their homes.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson said the situation could undermine the delivery of care to those with the virus as they would be reluctant to own up to their status.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson therefore called for the intensification of HIV/AIDS education which he observed had gone down considerably.**** ** ** He said it would be dangerous for the country to lower the intensity of the campaign against the disease because of the country?s reported low prevalence rate.**** ** ** Mr Acquah-Jackson observed that seeds of HIV, which had been sown at the peak of the disease in the country, could be maturing and more people could also be contracting the virus.**** ** ** He said the social lives of people providing care to HIV/AIDS victims were also at risk of breaking down.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** Gov't support for HIV/AIDS fight needed **** ****VietNam**** News**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** HA NOI ? Social organisations do not receive sufficient support from the Government, especially in terms of finance, in the battle against HIV/AIDS, according to experts and activists in the field. **** ** ** Nguyen Van Tien, deputy head of the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs said the limitation of the Government's budget did not allow it to support civil social organisations in HIV/AIDS response. **** ** ** Social organisations, therefore, were much more dependent upon the aid and assistance of foreign organisations to organise their activities and events, he said.**** ** ** According to Vu Thi Phuong Lan, head of management at Sunflower Network, a community-based organisation of 13 self-help groups operating in seven cities and provinces to support HIV-positive women and their families, the network receives financial support from a sole sponsor - the Netherlands-Vietnam Medical Committee, an international non-governmental organisation. **** ** ** Lan said health centres and red cross associations at the local level also helped by offering management advice as well as spaces to organise events, "but the main support the network receives is from the international organisation", she added.**** ** ** The network now faces an uncertain future as the medical committee will withdraw its assistance in the next six months, leaving the network without any sponsor for its continued activities. **** ** ** "We have asked other foreign organisations for financial support but failed," said Lan.**** ** ** "At present, the management plan is to offer support services and collect fees to keep the network running, but the plan has yet to be made clear," she revealed.**** ** ** The problem facing the Sunflower network became more common after Viet Nam officially was classified as a middle-income country, according to experts.* *** ** ** Tien said social organisations might become less active due to the decrease in funding. **** ** ** The lack of financial support, however, is not the only obstacle for organisations delivering HIV prevention service and care. **** ** ** Tran Tien Duc, former head of the health policy initiatives project under the United States Agency for International Development, said limited governance capacity, stability and accountability were common weaknesses that the organisations must overcome. **** ** ** "Many community-based organisations lack sufficient organisational capacity and a strategic vision," added Tien.**** ** ** He also said that there had not been a strategy or orientation plan made for the sustainable development of organisations. **** ** ** Venerable Thich Dong Nguyen, deputy head of the Anti-HIV society under the Buddhism Academy, said religious involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention needed greater consistency and direction. **** ** ** "There should be a co-ordinator who engages the religious society in HIV-AIDS activities."**** ** ** Nguyen's opinion mirrored Tien's position. He said there must be a mechanism to control and co-ordinate the resources of civil organisations for HIV/AIDS response. **** ** ** Tien said the Government's management over HIV/AIDS activities was not good enough and State-governed agencies were still hesitant to offer support to community-based organisations. **** ** ** "Only those whose activities were funded by the Viet Nam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control were really under the Government's management." **** ** ** Tien said there needed to be better co-operation between the Government and the civil society to ensure more effective HIV prevention. **** ** ** Both Tien and Duc said there was a lack of a clear and consistent legal framework to encourage the establishment and operation of civil organisations, as the law for them had yet to be issued and requirements for their registration were still complicated.**** **** Tien added that the Government should enact policies to support social organisations' activities, especially those in HIV/AIDS response, as the civil society played a key role in delivering care and support to people with HIV.**** ** ** "Community-based organisations have helped the Government a lot by taking the initiatives to deal with many issues which the Government itself has failed to resolve because of its overwhelming workload". ? VNS**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Violent prejudice against ****Jamaica****'s gay people must stop**** The Guardian, ****UK******** 27/01/2012**** ** ** Maurice Tomlinson**** ** ** Almost a year to the day that David Kato, the Ugandan human rights activist, was murdered in his home because of his sexuality, I am flying from Toronto to London to accept the inaugural the David Kato Voice and Vision Award, which recognises individuals who uphold the human rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people around the world. I should have been flying from Jamaica my country of birth and, until very recently, my home. After the ceremony I should be returning there to celebrate with fellow activists.**** ** ** But this time there's no going home. In August last year I married Tom, a former police officer and a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. Media reports of my marriage, in Jamaica, have led to an increase in the threats against my life and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has written to the Jamaican government for the second time in a year inquiring what measures it will take to guarantee my safety. So far, the government has failed to respond.**** ** ** Threats are nothing new for me. It's only the intensity that's changed. I'm a lawyer and activist in Jamaica, which has the distinction of being regarded as one of the most violently homophobic countries in the world. In a recent survey 82% of Jamaican people said they were prejudiced against gay people. Vigilante attacks against gay men are common ? at least 35 people have been murdered because of their sexuality since 1997. Last year, two men were hacked to death because they were gay. The latest victim was a 16-year-old youth chopped to death in his home by early morning invaders because of his "questionable relations" with another man.**** ** ** Former prime minister Bruce Golding set a tone of impunity for those prepared to use violence against gay people in Jamaica: during a BBC Hardtalk interview in 2008 he said that he would not allow gay people to be a part of his cabinet. According to the law, consensual sex between two men in Jamaica will get you 10 years of imprisonment and hard labour. Any "act of gross indecency" ? kissing for instance ? will get you two years.**** ** ** The law is rarely enforced. More often, police use it for extortion. But the fact such a law exists inflames the vigilante groups. Even the police officer who recorded my first death-threat report ranted at me that he "hates gays, who deserve to die". In the past year, I have received three death threats for speaking out against the country's ferocious homophobia.** ** ** ** The threats to my life are a personal tragedy, but sadly not an uncommon one. Discrimination, stigma and abuse are the daily reality for millions of gay people. And now the battle has become entangled with the politics of aid.**** ** ** Recently the Commonwealth faced up to its human rights record ? particularly the criminalisation of homosexuality. David Cameron made it clear that states refusing to decriminalise homosexuality risk losing British aid. Ironically, however, he failed to acknowledge or apologise for Britain's role in imposing the anti-sodomy law on its former colonies, while his emphasis on homosexuality is inadvertently discriminatory as it ignores other egregious human rights violations being perpetuated in these countries.**** ** ** His intentions might have been well meaning but they are also counterproductive: trying to force people to change their attitudes and cultural beliefs can play into the hands of repressive regimes ? by portraying sexual rights as an imposition of "western colonialism". It allows them to mask broader issues of human rights, governance and corruption. Some countries use the issues of homosexuality to hide their own failures and show how donor communities are promulgating "gay lifestyles".**** ** ** Instead, aid should be linked to good governance. Countries need to meet their wider human rights obligation by observing the indivisibility of rights. As Hillary Clinton said at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva: "Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct, but in fact they are one and the same." (The US, however, has not done enough to curtail its own export of homophobia to countries such as mine by American evangelical Christian groups.)**** ** ** For two years, I have collected the reports of victims as a legal adviser for international advocacy organisation Aids-Free World. Now I'm taking them to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, since the Jamaican Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms protects the laws against "sexual offences" from constitutional review.**** ** ** The culmination of the work the charity and our Jamaican partners have been doing over the past two years is an unprecedented legal challenge to the Jamaican anti-sodomy law. If successful, it could be the beginning of the end of the criminalisation of homosexuals in Jamaica, and undoubtedly have a knock-on effect throughout the Caribbean. However, the Jamaican government could make the commission petition redundant by simply repealing the anti-sodomy law.**** ** ** The new Jamaican prime minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, has indicated that she would have no objections to selecting a gay person for her cabinet. She also promised to call for a parliamentary conscience vote on the law. Let's hope she does so soon.**** ** ** The reports of violence against Jamaican LGBTI remind me what we're fighting for. When I receive the David Kato award I will represent the millions of individuals worldwide whose lives are a daily struggle against hostility and persecution simply because of their sexuality.**** ** ** *2* East Africans warn funding cuts will increase AIDS deaths**** Reuters AlertNet**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Katy Migiro **** ** ** NAIROBI (AlertNet) ? Hundreds of HIV-positive Kenyans protested outside the European Union?s Nairobi office on Monday, accusing the EU of causing unnecessary deaths by cutting funding to the world?s largest financial backer of the fight against HIV/AIDS.**** ** ** The public-private Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said in November it had run out of money to pay for the next two years for new grants for countries battling these diseases. The demonstrators called on the Global Fund to hold an emergency donor conference to raise $2 billion so developing countries can apply for grants this year.**** ** ** ?We are just burying a grenade that is going to explode in future,? said Peter Mugyenyi, a scientist involved in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in neighbouring Uganda, who travelled to Kenya to take part in the demonstration.**** ** ** ?If we don?t increase funding now, we already know that the transmission of HIV is going to increase.?**** ** ** Demonstrators warned that people will stop going for HIV-testing and stigma will increase if it becomes harder for people to access free antiretroviral drugs.**** ** ** ?How many people will go for HIV-testing when drugs are not available? You?d rather not know and leave it like that,? said Paul Ndegwa, one of the demonstrators, who has been living with the disease for 18 years.**** ** ** The Global Fund pays for about 40 percent of Kenya?s antiretroviral drugs, according to Nelson Otwoma, national coordinator of the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya.**** ** ** Just over half of Kenyans needing treatment are currently receiving it ? some 400,000 people, he said.**** ** ** The Global Fund accounts for around a quarter of international financing to fight HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** TREATMENT AS PREVENTION**** Funding is being withdrawn at a critical time in the battle against HIV/AIDS, activists said.**** ** ** ?The concept now is treatment as prevention,? said Ndegwa.**** ** ** Recent scientific studies have shown that getting timely drug treatment to people living with HIV can significantly cut the number of new infections.** ** ** ** A person put on treatment earlier is 96 percent less likely to transmit the virus, and a dramatic increase in the number of people receiving treatment has cut mortality rates.**** ** ** In sub-Saharan Africa, treatment coverage increased by 30 percent in 2010, according to the medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres.**** ** ** MISUSE OF FUNDS**** An ongoing economic crisis hitting big donor countries has hit funding. But so has the fact that the credibility of the Global Fund has came into question**** ** ** Last year, the fund reported "grave misuse of funds" in four recipient nations, prompting donors such as Germany and Sweden to freeze their donations.**** ** ** And earlier this month its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, stepped down early following criticism over misuse of funds.**** ** ** However, campaigners said stepping up investment in the Global Fund now is important to save both lives and money in the long term.**** ** ** ?We want action now so that we don?t come to the stage where people are dying at the rate of (the) 1990s,? said Mugyenyi.**** ** ** *3* Helping HIV Patients in ****Lebanon******** Reuters AlertNet**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** It was a stormy January day, but ?M? had to pick up her kids early from school in order to make it on time for her appointment in Sin El Fil on time. The 45 year old mother of three is one of an estimated 3,600 persons living with HIV in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Public Health.**** ** ** Lebanon is considered one of the lower ranked countries when it comes to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. But, that does not diminish the challenges facing people living with HIV.**** ** ** ?I felt like I was going through hell,? M declares, as she recounts her experience with HIV/AIDS, including all the difficulty and suffering she endured before being correctly diagnosed. ?I suffered terribly for many months, all the while being unable to take care of myself and my children.?* *** ** ** When she finally knew she was HIV positive, her world ?turned upside down.? Even more, she was unable to share the news with anyone around her ?for fear of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS?. In fact, such stigma takes multiple severe forms in Lebanon, including social isolation, economic exclusion, and total abandonment. ?Only through the medical, social and human support of SIDC have I been able to stand on my two feet and resume leading a ?normal? life,? she declares.**** ** ** SIDC ? Soins Infirmiers et Developpement Communautaire ? is situated in a quiet neighborhood in Sin El Fil, East of Beirut. It was founded in 1987 with the mission of meeting ?the health needs of the youth, elderly and the most vulnerable individuals and groups in Lebanon through community empowerment?. Nadia Badran, Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS Program at SIDC, explains that the organization struggles to ?provide the much-needed support to persons living with HIV through various services, which include medication, psychological support, nutrition counseling, social guidance, home visits and peer education.?**** ** ** One of the major challenges that face persons living with HIV in Lebanon is access to healthcare and social services. Often organizations like SIDC provide these services, but operate on a very limited budget. That?s where ANERA has been able to help. Through its partnership with YMCA-Lebanon, ANERA recently delivered a much-needed donation of the anti-retroviral medicine Didanosine. . The 3,160 packages of Didanosine valued over $180,000 were kindly donated by AmeriCares Foundation. This is the third year in a row that ANERA has delivered life-saving anti-retroviral medicines donated by AmeriCares to SIDC, which have included Abacavir, Lamivudine, Nevirapine, Zidovudine, and Saquinavir.**** ** ** Nadia Badran adds, ?PLHIV has witnessed periods of medicine shortage in the past; having enough stock of medicines ensures medical and emotional stability for PLHIV?. ?But, it is our responsibility to make sure our beneficiaries know how to use their medicines and how to take care of themselves while using them.? **** ** ** ?We are happy to be able to contribute to alleviating the sufferings of people living with HIV/Aids in Lebanon,? adds Dima Zayat, ANERA?s medical in-kind program coordinator, ?We believe that people living with HIV have the right to work, family and access to health care.?**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** M?xico frente al VIH: un panorama adverso para 2012 **** ****El Universal**, **Mexico******** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Daniel Joloy **** *Director del ?rea Internacional de la CMDPDH. * ** ** El 2012 ha iniciado con noticias negativas en materia de VIH y derechos humanos que plantean a M?xico un panorama adverso para el futuro cercano. En d?as recientes, la CNDH report? un incremento en las violaciones a derechos humanos en contra de personas que viven con el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana-S?ndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (VIH-SIDA), as? como un mayor estigma y discriminaci?n en su contra. Por otro lado, a lo largo de 2011, fueron denunciados continuos desabastos de medicamentos antirretrovirales para su atenci?n y tratamiento, lo que demuestra que, contrario a lo que ha argumentado el Gobierno Federal, el acceso universal para este tipo de medicamentos a?n no est? garantizado. Aunado a todo ello, a partir de este a?o M?xico dejar? de recibir recursos del Fondo Mundial de la Lucha contra el SIDA, la malaria y la tuberculosis. **** ** ** Hoy en d?a viven en nuestro pa?s aproximadamente 225 mil personas portadoras del VIH, de quienes se estima que 80% son hombres. Seg?n estudios de la Secretar?a de Salud, cerca del 60% de quienes son portadores del VIH lo desconocen, y ?nicamente el 27% de los pacientes reciben tratamiento antirretroviral. **** ** ** Sin embargo, a pesar de que el total de casos acumulados en M?xico de personas que viven con VIH contin?a aumentando, a?n no est? garantizado el abasto permanente de medicamentos antirretrovirales para su tratamiento. Si bien en los ?ltimos cuatro a?os se duplic? el presupuesto destinado a la compra de medicinas para controlar el VIH, el acceso a un tratamiento adecuado no est? garantizado, seg?n las propias declaraciones del Centro Nacional para la Prevenci?n y Control del SIDA (Censida). **** ** ** La cancelaci?n de la Ronda 11 del Fondo Mundial y la disminuci?n de los recursos financieros internacionales para solventar programas de prevenci?n y atenci?n del VIH exigen de nuestras autoridades la elaboraci?n de una nueva estrategia que permita contar con los recursos adecuados para garantizar, por un lado, la atenci?n adecuada a todas las personas que viven con VIH-SIDA en M?xico, y por el otro, contar con programas efectivos de prevenci?n del VIH. **** ** ** Es fundamental para ello hacer un an?lisis de fondo sobre las estrategias de prevenci?n y control del VIH las cuales se han centrado hist?ricamente en grupos particulares, o ?poblaciones en riesgo?, tales como los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), trabajadores y trabajadoras sexuales (TS) y usuarias y usuarios de drogas inyectables (UDI). Sin embargo, ante las adversidades que se prev?n en el panorama, resulta urgente generar pol?ticas p?blicas sectorizadas por grupo poblacional que vayan m?s all? de las generalidades grupales dirigidas a cambiar patrones de conducta. **** ** ** Es particularmente necesario desarrollar pol?ticas p?blicas de prevenci?n que genuinamente incorporen una perspectiva de derechos humanos y un enfoque de g?nero para fomentar un cambio en los patrones de conducta y evitar as? conductas riesgosas que faciliten la transmisi?n del VIH. Se requiere transitar de un enfoque de ?poblaciones en riesgo? hacia un enfoque preventivo que evite las ?pr?cticas de riesgo?. **** ** ** Para ello, resulta fundamental analizar a profundidad los efectos reales de los programas y pol?ticas p?blicas implementadas hasta la fecha para evitar futuras transmisiones del VIH. Si bien las estrategias de atenci?n al VIH-SIDA han estado en cierto modo focalizadas a grupos particulares que por sus conductas regulares presentan una mayor vulnerabilidad de contagio, a?n es necesario entender y analizar dichos programas seg?n las pr?cticas de riesgo en las que incurren, m?s all? de su propia pertenencia a dicho sector poblacional. **** ** ** Para alcanzar dicho objetivo se requieren pol?ticas de prevenci?n libres de estereotipos y que tomen en cuenta la diversidad sexual, ponderando ante todo el respeto por los derechos humanos y la perspectiva de g?nero, factores fundamentales para la correcta elaboraci?n de una pol?tica p?blica que pueda ser realmente efectiva en la prevenci?n de lo que ha sido por los ?ltimos a?os el mayor problema de salud p?blica a nivel mundial. **** ** ** El Estado mexicano tiene la obligaci?n de implementar pol?ticas p?blicas progresivas que garanticen el tratamiento y cuidado de la salud de todas las personas que viven con VIH-SIDA, la cual debe de incluir pol?ticas de prevenci?n, atenci?n, tratamiento y control de la infecci?n para garantizar la m?s alta calidad de vida de las y los usuarios del sector salud. El desabasto en medicamentos b?sicos para la atenci?n y tratamiento del VIH, as? como el aumento de violaciones a derechos humanos relacionadas con el estigma y la discriminaci?n, pone de manifiesto el incumplimiento de nuestras autoridades en materia de acceso a la salud y VIH. **** ** ** *2**4***** Cuba: una eficaz estrategia en la lucha contra el SIDA. **** Radio ****Habana**, **Cuba******** 26/01/2012**** ** ** Por Mar?a Josefina Arce.**** ** ** El Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo apoya la lucha contra el SIDA en 17 pa?ses, entre ellos Cuba, que se ubica entre los de mejores resultados en el enfrentamiento a esa enfermedad que desde su aparici?n en el siglo pasado no ha dejado de hacer estragos entre la poblaci?n mundial.** ** ** ** M?s de treinta millones de personas han muerto en el planeta desde que hace tres d?cadas se conoci? el primer caso. Actualmente millones de personas viven con la enfermedad.**** ** ** Basada fundamentalmente en la prevenci?n, promoci?n y educaci?n sexual la estrategia de la Mayor de las Antillas ha posibilitado que califique entre las naciones de Latinoam?rica con m?s bajo ?ndice de infestados con el virus.**** ** ** Carlos Cort?s Falla, asesor principal en Cuba del Programa de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo, reconoci? en La Habana la eficacia de la prevenci?n del VIH SIDA en el archipi?lago cubano, por lo que la instituci?n que representa decidi? extender hasta el 2014 su financiamiento a las estrategias de respuesta al VIH-Sida en el pa?s.**** ** ** Representantes de esa entidad y del Fondo Global han destacado el buen uso que hace Cuba de los recursos que recibe, los cuales destina al tratamiento de los infestados, quienes reciben de manera gratuita y sistem?tica los costos?simos medicamentos antirretrovirales, en cualquiera de las 320 unidades m?dicas que ofrecen este servicio a la largo del pa?s.**** ** ** Tambi?n los fondos que se reciben se destinan a evitar la propagaci?n de la pandemia. En ese camino tienen gran importancia el desarrollo en Cuba de sistem?ticas campa?as informativas y de orientaci?n, en las que participan organizaciones de masas y diversas instituciones. Gracias a este esfuerzo se ha logrado romper muchos tab?es imperantes en la sociedad cubana, y que a la larga, pod?an aumentar el riesgo de un contagio.**** ** ** Fundamentales han sido los promotores voluntarios, que sin recibir remuneraci?n, motivados ya sea por solidaridad o por experiencias personales o de amigos y familiares, dedican parte de su tiempo a distintos proyectos encaminados a prevenir y evitar la propagaci?n del SIDA.**** ** ** Tambi?n ha sido esencial el servicio especializado que funciona en cada una de las provincias del pa?s, las llamadas Consejer?as An?nimas, que adem?s de brindar informaci?n especializada, ofrece ayuda psicol?gica, emocional, y, en caso de ser necesario, agiliza la aplicaci?n de la prueba r?pida de detecci?n del virus.**** ** ** Todav?a queda mucho por hacer, pues aunque gracias al accionar del pa?s, las v?as de transmisi?n sangu?nea y materno-infantil, han sido eliminadas como problemas de salud, todav?a se mantiene el eventual contagio por la sexual. De ah? que las autoridades no descuiden la labor preventiva y de educaci?n para motivar acciones responsables, fundamentalmente entre los m?s j?venes.**** ** ** En la lucha contra el sida es v?lido tambi?n el consejo de Jos? Mart? en el sentido de que "la mejor medicina no es la que cura, sino la que precave".** ** ** ** *5* ****Guyana**** health ministry to focus on STIs overshadowed by HIV**** ****Stabroek News**, **Guyana******** 28/01/2012**** ** ** By Stabroek staff**** ** ** Guyana?s first comprehensive Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Strategic Plan is now a reality and the Ministry of Health is developing a two-year work schedule that will focus on the priority areas.**** ** ** The plan, which will place more focus on diseases that have been overshadowed by HIV, was in the making since last year and is now set to be implemented by 2020. It is expected to assist health officials in addressing STIs in the same way HIV has been addressed.**** ** ** On Friday 27 January, the ministry held a workshop at the Grand Coastal Inn, by the end of which key stakeholders would have assisted in identifying the priority area to focus on first.**** ** ** According to Head of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) Dr Shanti Singh, HIV is just one of many STIs, which are significant and have life-threatening consequences.**** ** ** It is what stakeholders learnt from the HIV programme that triggered the STI strategic plan. Singh said the plan, along with its monitoring and evaluation, will be the road map to organizing a response to the other STIs, similar to the HIV response.**** ** ** ?So it?s really bringing all the other sexually transmitted infections that traditionally a lot of persons would go over the counter and just buy a red and black capsule [for treatment]; it is really bringing the focus on some of those things that needs to be streamlined,? she added.**** ** ** Dr Singh said the streamlining would include looking at how the STIs are managed and also how they progress; contact tracing; and partner notification.**** ** ** The plan also will bring together all of the ministry?s efforts in the area and coordinate one standard of care across the health sector and the ministry will seek to work closely with the private sector and the non-governmental organisations.**** ** ** The strategy has identified five priority areas: the strengthening of STI programme management and coordination; promoting healthy sexual behaviours to reduce the transmission of STIs; expanding access to STI prevention, care and treatment in the health sector; increasing access to medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and laboratory support; and improving the availability of strategic information.**** ** ** At a workshop last year, which had looked at the draft of the plan, it was stated that it was in recognition of the serious health, social, emotional and economic consequences of STIs that a strategic plan was developed by the Ministry of Health. The ministry, through NAPS, is committed to providing national leadership in collaboration with local, regional, national and international partners to develop the plan to manage and prevent STIs in Guyana.**** ** ** The main goal is to ?reduce the transmission and morbidity and mortality caused by STIs and to minimise the personal and social impact of the infections.?**** ** ** A 2004 study had found that awareness of STIs among the most at-risk populations was generally high, with rates of ?self-reported leak and genital sores/boils? noted among female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM) and in school youth, with the lowest rates seen for the military and police. However, according to the draft plan, there was no baseline information on STI knowledge and behaviour in the general population and very limited data is available on the prevalence of specific STIs in either the general population or in higher risk groups, such as female sex workers and MSM.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** AIDS Prevention Inspires Ways to Make Circumcisions Easier**** The New York Times**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.**** ** ** The day of the assembly-line circumcision is drawing closer. **** ** ** Now that three studies have shown that circumcising adult heterosexual men is one of the most effective ?vaccines? against AIDS ? reducing the chances of infection by 60 percent or more ? public health experts are struggling to find ways to make the process faster, cheaper and safer. **** ** ** The goal is to circumcise 20 million African men by 2015, but only about 600,000 have had the operation thus far. Even a skilled surgeon takes about 15 minutes, most African countries are desperately short of surgeons, and there is no Mohels Without Borders. **** ** ** So donors are pinning their hopes on several devices now being tested to speed things up. **** ** ** Dr. Stefano Bertozzi, director of H.I.V. for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said it had its eyes on two, named PrePex and the Shang Ring, and was supporting efforts by the World Health Organization to evaluate them. **** ** ** Circumcision is believe to protect heterosexual men because the foreskin has many Langerhans cells, which pick up viruses and ?present? them to the immune system ? which H.I.V. attacks. **** ** ** PrePex, invented in 2009 by four Israelis after one of them, a urologist, heard an appeal for doctors to do circumcisions in Africa, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration three weeks ago. The W.H.O. will make a decision on it soon, said Mitchell Warren, an AIDS-prevention expert who closely follows the process. **** ** ** >From the initial safety studies done so far, PrePex is clearly faster, less painful and more bloodless than any of its current rivals. And it relies on the simplest and least-threatening technology ? a rubber band. **** ** ** The band compresses the foreskin against a plastic ring slipped inside it; the foreskin dies within hours for lack of blood and, after a week, falls off or can be clipped off ?like a fingernail,? said Tzameret Fuerst, the company?s chief executive officer, who compared the process to the stump of an umbilical cord?s shriveling up and dropping off a few days after it is clamped. **** ** ** It is done with topical anesthetic cream, and there is usually no bleeding. And PrePex can be put in place and removed by nurses with about three days? training. **** ** ** The rings come in five sizes, A through E, Ms. Fuerst said, ?and you won?t believe how high-tech the rubber band is.? Each size must apply just enough pressure to cut off blood flow without being tight enough to cause pain. *** * ** ** The W.H.O., Mr. Warren said, is also evaluating the Shang Ring, a plastic two-ring clamp developed in China to treat conditions in which the foreskin becomes so tight that it cuts off urination. **** ** ** However, it requires cutting off the excess foreskin beyond the clamp, which means the circumciser must inject anesthetics directly into the penis and groin, wait for them to take effect, create a sterile surgical field and be trained in minor surgery. **** ** ** ?The Shang is not as fast, but it?s faster than full-fledged surgery,? Mr. Warren said. ?And it hasn?t submitted as much safety data.? **** ** ** In a safety study presented at an AIDS conference last month, scientists from Rwanda?s health ministry said they had used PrePex to circumcise 590 men. Only two had ?moderate? complications; one was fixed with a single suture, and one required a new band in a different spot. **** ** ** According to Dr. Jason Reed, an epidemiologist in the global AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 of 590, or 0.34 percent, is a tenth the typical complication rate of surgical circumcision. **** ** ** None of the men became infected. **** ** ** On the 10-point pain scale, they reported on average only about 1 when the ring was placed and only 3 when it was removed (about the same level of pain caused by erections during the week they wore it). **** ** ** By the end of the study, the two-nurse teams could do a procedure in three minutes. **** ** ** By contrast, Dr. Reed said, the best surgical ?assembly lines? ? a practice being pioneered in Africa with American taxpayer support ? can get down to seven minutes per patient, but only by getting six nurses and a surgeon into a tight harmony?.*continued.* See Full Text: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/health/aids-prevention-inspires-ways-to-simplify-circumcision.html?pagewanted=1&sq=aids&st=cse&scp=3 **** ** ** *2* New Sex Education Mandate Taking Effect**** The New York Times**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** By Yasmeen Khan**** ** ** Truth or myth?**** ** ** Girls can?t get pregnant the first time they have sex. (Myth.) **** ** ** Using a latex condom correctly every time you have sexual intercourse is very effective in preventing H.I.V. (Truth.)**** ** ** Now that New York City has mandated lessons on sexual health, starting this semester students in health classes may go through similar exercises in truths vs. myths when talking about preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. During a unit on abstinence, they may role-play a situation where a student resists pressure to have sex. Or they may read about developing healthy relationships and raising self-esteem. *** * ** ** Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott announced in August that public middle schools and high schools would be required to fold sex education lessons into existing health classes, which already cover topics like nutrition, physical activity and preventing injuries. **** ** ** New York State requires that students receive at least a semester of health education in either sixth or seventh grade and again in either ninth or 10th grade. But those health classes didn?t have to include sex education. * *** ** ** Some districts took extra steps, and many schools voluntarily added sexual health to their curriculums, including here in New York City. But not all of them. That led to concerns by advocates of sex education, including Planned Parenthood, that the city lacked a consistent approach.**** ** ** The new sex education mandate takes effect this spring term, which begins on Tuesday for high school students. **** ** ** Q.What will be taught?**** A.The city?s Department of Education does not mandate that schools use a certain curriculum, but it does recommend one: HealthSmart for middle school students. For high school students, it recommends HealthSmart alongside a book called ?Reducing the Risk.? **** ** ** The Education Department tailored the national versions for New York City, so that the materials would not overlap with existing lessons on H.I.V. New York State already requires that all schools provide education on H.I.V./AIDS for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.**** ** ** City education officials offer guidelines on what should be covered as part of sexual health education. **** ** ** Depending on the child?s grade, topics would include physiology and understanding the male and female reproductive systems; recognizing healthy and unhealthy relationships; sexuality and sexual identity; handling unwanted sexual advances; the benefits of abstinence; birth control methods; and preventing sexually transmitted diseases. **** ** ** For instance, in a lesson on abstinence in HealthSmart, one worksheet asks students to write a letter to a sixth-grade student explaining why he or she should wait to have sex. In the curriculum?s unit on sexuality, the teacher?s manual asks that teachers welcome questions and ?demonstrate openness and acceptance? with words, tone and facial expressions. **** ** ** Teachers may verbalize how to use condoms correctly. Condom demonstrations are only allowed in health resource rooms in high schools.**** ** ** Lessons are meant to be co-ed.**** ** ** Q.What parts of the curriculum can (or cannot) parents opt out of? **** A.Some parent groups have criticized the city?s new policy, saying it is too graphic or that they would prefer abstinence-only lessons. Parents who object to lessons on birth control and preventing S.T.D.?s can write a letter to their child?s principal to opt out of some classes. The letter must stipulate that students will receive that instruction at home.**** ** ** Parents cannot opt out of lessons on abstinence or sexual health education.* *** ** ** Education officials say it is up to schools to communicate with parents about what is being taught and when. Principals must send a notification letter about the new sex education mandate home.**** ** ** Q.Who will teach these classes?**** A.In middle and high schools, health classes must be taught by a licensed health teacher. Education officials say the department?s Office of School Wellness Programs is providing free training on the recommended sex education curriculum to teachers and administrators. **** *3* Ten Years of The Global Fund: a Crossroads and a Choice**** Huffington Post**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Nancy Mahon and Kevin Robert Frost**** ** ** Ten years ago, 19,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa were the first to receive free HIV treatment. That was 0.1% of all the people living with HIV in the region that year. Paying for these drugs was a bold move by the Botswana government -- one that said to the world, "We're not going to wait for you to help us" -- but it wasn't nearly enough to begin to end the epidemic. **** ** ** Thankfully, the people of Botswana didn't have to go it alone. Days after their government announced that it would begin paying for treatment, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created. Now, a decade later, more than 5 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa (almost 7 million worldwide) are receiving life-saving treatment thanks to the Global Fund and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). **** ** ** It's easy to take this accomplishment for granted, but treatment everywhere in the world has been the result of an unprecedented collaboration between advocates, healthcare workers, and governments alike. Thanks to private individuals, celebrities, corporations, and other donors, organizations including our own and the Global Fund have been able to discover more effective HIV technologies, reduce the price of drugs, and deliver treatment and care to those in need. From the Caribbean to Asia, millions of lives have been saved by the generosity of people everywhere in the world. **** ** ** Since 2002, the Global Fund has distributed more than $22 billion in grants to 150 countries. As a result, 3.3 million people have received HIV treatment and more than 1 million pregnant women have received the drugs they needed to prevent HIV infection in their babies. These results aren't exclusive to HIV, though: More than 230 million people have received treatment for malaria and 7.7 million for tuberculosis over the last decade. **** ** ** Ten years of hard work. Millions of lives saved. This should be a moment to celebrate. Unfortunately, the fight begins again. **** ** ** Economic uncertainty and donor skittishness have combined to threaten the future of the Global Fund. For the first time since 2002, the Fund has had to cancel any new grant making due to a lack of resources. While millions will continue to receive the benefit of current programs, progress will stagnate. On top of this, news of a transition in leadership at the Global Fund has created anxiety where none is required. **** ** ** This couldn't come at a worse time. Recent science has shown us that we have the power to end the AIDS epidemic. Last May, researchers discovered that early initiation of HIV treatment can reduce the chance that a partner will become infected with HIV by 96%. Scientific knowledge of HIV and its vulnerabilities has advanced to the point where we can not only save lives, but we can begin to end the disease all together. To do so, we must expand treatment now, everywhere to everyone. Ending the AIDS epidemic is no longer a hopeful metaphor -- it is a choice. Do we begin to end this disease now, or do we blithely pass it on to future generations?**** ** ** The Obama Administration has made its decision, calling for an "AIDS-Free Generation" on World AIDS Day 2011 and recommitting to the Global Fund and PEPFAR as equally important partners. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Saudi Arabian Government have as well; each recently announced additional resources for the Global Fund to ensure it can continue doing its work. **** ** ** Last week the world marked the 10th anniversary of the Global Fund. We must use the momentum from this moment to make the choice starkly clear. As a global community, we can act on our new knowledge and make the relatively modest investments in the Global Fund that could genuinely herald the end of the global AIDS epidemic. Or we can back away from our commitments and starve this extraordinary collaborative enterprise of the resources it needs to succeed, thereby depriving millions of men, women, and children of life-saving programs. It is really that simple.**** ** ** We ask you, in recognition of the 10th anniversary, wherever you are in the world, to add your voice in support of the Global Fund. Urge your legislators to renew their support for the Global Fund. Tell everyone in your neighborhood or apartment, village or town, on Facebook and Twitter: I support the Global Fund. Remind them that the failure of the Global Fund will be a collective failure of humanity to bring an end to a global epidemic that has already killed 30 million people worldwide.**** ** ** *About amfAR* *amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide. * * * *About M?A?C AIDS Fund* *The M?A?C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M?A?C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. The M?A?C AIDS Fund is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, the M?A?C AIDS Fund is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS by supporting diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, The M?A?C AIDS Fund has raised $235 million (USD) exclusively through the sale of M?A?C's VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information visit http://www.macaidsfund.org.** *** *4* Design chosen for NYC AIDS memorial park **** Associated Press**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** *Story carried by The Wall Street Journal* ** ** NEW YORK ? A design called "Infinite Forest" is being proposed for an AIDS memorial park in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.**** ** ** The design by a team of architects at Studio a+i features groves of trees and mirrored glass surfaces.**** ** ** It won a competition held by a group campaigning to place a memorial in a triangle across from the former St. Vincent's Hospital.**** ** ** The Rudin Management Company, which bought the land after the hospital's bankruptcy, has already received partial city approval to place a park in the space. If the plans are changed substantially, that approval process would have to begin again.**** ** ** Bill Rudin says the park design on track for approval allows for a commemoration of those impacted by AIDS. He says his company will continue working "with all stakeholders?**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* ** ** ========================**** ** ** UN Secretary-General speaks against discrimination based on sexual orientation **** UNAIDS**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to anchor ** Africa**?s development to the respect for human rights. ?The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a promise to all people in all places at all times,? said Mr Ban at the 18th annual meeting of the African Union.**** ** ** Mr Ban noted that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is one of the injustices that has been ignored or even sanctioned by many States. ?This has prompted some governments to treat people as second-class citizens, or even criminals. Confronting this discrimination is a challenge. But we must live up to the ideals of the Universal Declaration,? said Mr Ban.**** ** ** Currently, an estimated 76 countries and areas worldwide have laws that criminalize same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults??five impose the death penalty. UNAIDS considers the criminalization of people based on their sexual orientation a denial of human rights and a threat to public health in the context of the HIV response. Such discriminatory laws drive people underground and create obstacles for people accessing HIV services.**** ** ** Countries such as the **US** and ****UK**** have already modified their provision of foreign aid to ensure that the rights of sexual minorities are being respected. These countries will use their assistance to protect human rights and advance non-discrimination, and will work with international organizations to end discrimination against gays and lesbians.**** ** ** In 2009 the Delhi High Court overturned a law that criminalized consensual adult sexual behaviour. This stand was also supported by the Government of India in its affidavit filed with the Supreme Court. But not all countries are following ****India****?s approach.**** ** ** In June 2010, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support of the UNAIDS Secretariat, launched the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. The Commission?s aim is to increase understanding of the impact of the legal environment on national HIV responses. Its aim is to focus on how laws and law enforcement can support, rather than block, effective HIV responses.**** ** ** UNAIDS urges all governments to ensure full respect for the human rights of men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgendered people through repealing laws that prohibit sexual acts between consenting adults in private; enforcing laws to protect these groups from violence and discrimination; promoting campaigns that address homophobia and transphobia; and ensuring that crucial health needs are met.**** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/5bb5ae85/attachment-0004.html From vern.weitzel at gmail.com Wed Feb 1 17:29:13 2012 From: vern.weitzel at gmail.com (vern weitzel) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 04:29:13 +1100 Subject: [hivaids-twg] TANZANIA: Good results in programme to boost TB detection In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 02/02/2012, at 3:29 AM, Phi Huynhdo wrote: TANZANIA: Good results in programme to boost TB detection Photo: David Gough/IRIN Better TB case detection would improve the country's treatment and prevention programmes (file photo) ARUSHA, 1 February 2012 (IRIN PlusNews) - A pilot community programme to improve TB detection in northern Tanzania has shown good results and could be replicated nationwide as the country seeks to improve its TB treatment and prevention systems. Tanzania has been battling TB for years, a struggle intensified by the parallel HIV epidemic; approximately 47 percent of new adult cases in the country are HIV-positive. Without proper treatment, about nine in 10 people living with HIV who become ill with active TB will die within two to three months, according to UNAIDS. The programme, which ran from April to September 2011, systemized the way suspected TB cases were reported and handled. It encouraged healthcare professionals to work closely with community leaders to raise awareness of symptoms at every opportunity, such as at village meetings. It also used posters and slogans to make sure high-risk groups were aware of symptoms. This produced more patient referrals to health centres for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Another crucial part of the TB pilot project was the creation of a "cough register" in each area, recording who was referred to a healthcare professional for further testing, by whom and the results of that referral. Management Science for Health collaborated with the NGO, PATH, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, at 12 health facilities in northern Tanzania's Arusha and Meru district councils. A crucial tenet of the programme was emphasising that TB and HIV treatment must be done "hand in hand". *Results* "In both districts the standard operating procedure intervention has improved TB case notification in children and women," said Zahra Mkome, director, TB/HIV projects at PATH in Tanzania. "[It] improved team work, commitment, motivation of healthcare workers, awareness and involvement of communities in TB control activities." An evaluation comparing six months of TB case notification before and after the project showed a 54 percent increase in detection of TB in all forms in Meru, while in Arusha it increased by 117 percent. The standard operating procedure ?rules? were used to provide clear and simple instructions to the health workers on how to improve TB case detection at different units and sections within health facilities, both outpatient and inpatient departments. Each area was provided with a plan and goals to implement their strategy, plus additional equipment to aid diagnosis such as paediatric score charts. Each area appointed a task force for TB treatment and these groups were encouraged to hold regular feedback meetings. Little data exists on the scale of the TB epidemic in Tanzania, and experts believe the records created by this system could prove a crucial tool in combating its spread and establishing where it is already most prevalent. One doctor based in a rural practice was particularly encouraged by the increased reporting of paediatric cases. He said some children suffering severe respiratory distress had been saved, "who in normal circumstances would have died". A number of the clinicians involved attributed an increase in notification of cases in the under-16 age group specifically to the wider use of paediatric diagnostic score charts. However, several challenges were flagged during the pilot: healthcare workers at Arusha's Selian Hospital said there was an urgent need to strengthen laboratory services to help confirm diagnoses; a lack of microscopes in labs and delays in issuing results were also highlighted. More on TB HEALTH: TB programming, research slowed by inadequate funding KENYA: Stigma holding back the fight against TB HEALTH: What's new in TB technology? SOUTHERN AFRICA: Door-to-door outreach cuts TB prevalence Drug-Resistant TB*Challenges to scale-up* Rolling out the rules on a national scale could also prove challenging as the majority of Tanzanians live in very rural areas and a poor road network means access to healthcare is limited. Mobile diagnosis and training centres that offer new methods of testing - for example, with the use of fluorescence microscopes- could make diagnosis much faster and more accurate. "Patients in Tanzania often have to travel very long distances as most live in rural areas, which costs them money to travel every day and some are essentially too week to go on their own as a very large number are already suffering from the weakness that comes with HIV," said Alex Schulzer of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, which runs patient-centred TB programmes with the government. A shortage of medical professionals could also hinder the expansion of the programme; Schulzer recommended the use of lower cadre health workers and the community itself to fill gaps. The Novartis programme gives patients the choice to either take the daily treatment at a health facility under the supervision of a medical professional, or at home, supported by a family or community member. In the case of home-based treatment, the patient and treatment supporter are required to visit the health facility once a week during the two-month intensive phase to refill prescriptions and see a medical professional. Schulzer said the programme had created a system that gave patients "the freedom not to have to walk miles to the clinic every day. "We also needed to relieve some of the healthcare providers who cannot cope with such large patient numbers on a daily basis," he added. ah/kr/mw From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Thu Feb 2 01:45:19 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:45:19 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (2012.02.01ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E20310361A@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E20310361A@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: ** Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. Star ****Africa** - HIV ? AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST * 1. IRIN PlusNews - ****TANZANIA****: Good results in programme to boost TB detection **** 2. New Times, **Rwanda** - ****Rwanda****: Nyagatare Men Avoiding HIV Tests* *** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* 1. The Hindu, ****India**** - Reform of laws on HIV sought**** 2. ****Kangla Online**, **India**** - `Many children in Manipur die of HIV, untested and untreated` **** ** ** ***EUROPE***** 1. Nature - Global health hits crisis point **** 2. The Observer - Global health hits crisis point **** 3. The Guardian - Put planet and its people at the core of sustainable development, urges report **** 4. Financial Times - The Global Fund must come of age (Editorial) **** ** ** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. Nuevo D?a, Pto Rico - Beneficios para pacientes de VIH/SIDA **** 2. Cambio de Michuac?n, Mexico - Balance del gobierno 2008-2012 y disidentes sexuales **** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** 1. TIME Magazine - Can New Circumcision Devices Help Fight AIDS in **Africa* *?**** 2. Sun Herald - AIDS treatment on Indian reservations clouded by secrets, stigma**** 3. Carin?s New York Business - Coming soon: over-the-counter oral AIDS test **** 4. Associated Press - SAfrica recalls 1.35 million condoms handed out during ANC celebrations over claims of flaws**** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* 1. UNAIDS ? Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair **** ** ** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** HIV ? AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)**** Star **Africa****** 01/02/2012**** ** ** ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) held its General Assembly, today 30 January 2012, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: ?An HIV/AIDS free tomorrow needs caring men and women today?. **** ** ** The OAFLA General Assembly was chaired by Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union. **** ** ** The First Lady of Ethiopia, Mrs Azeb Mesfin was the first to address the audience in her capacity of hostess and former President of OAFLA. She stated that her three years as president of OAFLA gave her a lot of pride, OAFLA being a real step up for the role of First Ladies. According to First Lady Mesfin, the association not only fights against AIDS but also promotes values such as peace, good governance and women empowerment. She explained that, First Ladies have the capacity to influence change through their collective voices, ?they have become the voice of the most vulnerable?, she noted. Mrs. Mesfin underlined the necessity to empower women, as empowerment is the key to protect them from HIV/AIDS. **** ** ** Mrs Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and President of the OAFLA welcomed newcomers. They are: the First Ladies of Cape Verde, Comoros, Southern Sudan, and Zambia. She commended the establishment of a permanent Secretariat for the association in 2009 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and the record attendance during a meeting of the technical advisers which took place last week in Addis Ababa. The meeting grouped 21 advisers sent by the First Ladies. The President of OAFLA then summarized the main achievements during her mandate including: the reduction of Mother to Child Transmission, the promotion of effective communication, advocacy, networking and mobilization of resources and the revitalization of the OAFLA membership. When concluding her speech, she recalled the importance of having an inclusive, comprehensive and flexible agenda in order to include other issues such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, gender-based violence and poverty. ?OAFLA can no longer only be about HIV/AIDS?, she said. **** ** ** Mrs Ban Soon-Taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary General, was the guest of honor at the AOFLA General Assembly. in her speech, Mrs. Ban stated that, the momentum is building and the support for this project is increasing, therefore an AIDS free generation can be reality in a few years. She said saving the lives of children and their mothers is the main goal. ?The improvement of reproductive health services? she said, was also a means to decrease vulnerability factors while highlighting the advantages of couple oriented solutions and the need to have high profile champions in all countries to lead the process in the sensitization campaign. **** ** ** Addressing the African First Ladies, Commissioner Gawanas underlined men involvement in the fight against AIDS. She said men are often blamed and left out when they also have sexual and reproductive health needs that have to be addressed. She recalled the campaign against HIV-AIDS and the effort of the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union to eradicate mother to child transmission to zero. **** ** ** Mr. Michel Sidib?, Executive Director of UNAIDS, on his part, assured the OAFLA members of his support. He congratulated the First Ladies for their efforts aimed at bringing a change in the way people perceived the pandemic and how this has improved the lives of many. He underscored the importance for African countries to look for its own source of financing. ?We are now going through a ?Make it or Break it? phase and we need to find ways to produce our own drugs and look into ways to transfer technologies?, he reiterated. **** ** ** Other key speakers at the General Assembly of OAFLA include: the UNFPA Country Representative and Representative to AU and ECA, Mr. Beno?t Kalasa, RAND Cooperation Representative with OAFLA Dr. Gery Ryan and African AIDS Vaccine Partnership Executive Director Dr. Chidi Victor Nweneka. **** Provided by PR Newswire **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ****TANZANIA****: Good results in programme to boost TB detection **** IRIN PlusNews**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** ARUSHA, 1 February 2012 (PlusNews) - A pilot community programme to improve TB detection in northern Tanzania has shown good results and could be replicated nationwide as the country seeks to improve its TB treatment and prevention systems. **** ** ** Tanzania has been battling TB for years, a struggle intensified by the parallel HIV epidemic; approximately 47 percent of new adult cases in the country are HIV-positive. Without proper treatment, about nine in 10 people living with HIV who become ill with active TB will die within two to three months, according to UNAIDS. **** ** ** The programme, which ran from April to September 2011, systemized the way suspected TB cases were reported and handled. It encouraged healthcare professionals to work closely with community leaders to raise awareness of symptoms at every opportunity, such as at village meetings. It also used posters and slogans to make sure high-risk groups were aware of symptoms. This produced more patient referrals to health centres for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. **** ** ** Another crucial part of the TB pilot project was the creation of a "cough register" in each area, recording who was referred to a healthcare professional for further testing, by whom and the results of that referral. **** ** ** Management Science for Health collaborated with the NGO, PATH, and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme, with financial support from the US Agency for International Development, at 12 health facilities in northern Tanzania's Arusha and Meru district councils. A crucial tenet of the programme was emphasising that TB and HIV treatment must be done "hand in hand". **** ** ** Results **** "In both districts the standard operating procedure intervention has improved TB case notification in children and women," said Zahra Mkome, director, TB/HIV projects at PATH in Tanzania. "[It] improved team work, commitment, motivation of healthcare workers, awareness and involvement of communities in TB control activities." **** ** ** An evaluation comparing six months of TB case notification before and after the project showed a 54 percent increase in detection of TB in all forms in Meru, while in Arusha it increased by 117 percent. **** ** ** The standard operating procedure ?rules? were used to provide clear and simple instructions to the health workers on how to improve TB case detection at different units and sections within health facilities, both outpatient and inpatient departments. Each area was provided with a plan and goals to implement their strategy, plus additional equipment to aid diagnosis such as paediatric score charts. Each area appointed a task force for TB treatment and these groups were encouraged to hold regular feedback meetings. **** ** ** Little data exists on the scale of the TB epidemic in Tanzania, and experts believe the records created by this system could prove a crucial tool in combating its spread and establishing where it is already most prevalent. ** ** ** ** One doctor based in a rural practice was particularly encouraged by the increased reporting of paediatric cases. He said some children suffering severe respiratory distress had been saved, "who in normal circumstances would have died". A number of the clinicians involved attributed an increase in notification of cases in the under-16 age group specifically to the wider use of paediatric diagnostic score charts. **** ** ** However, several challenges were flagged during the pilot: healthcare workers at Arusha's Selian Hospital said there was an urgent need to strengthen laboratory services to help confirm diagnoses; a lack of microscopes in labs and delays in issuing results were also highlighted. *** * ** ** Challenges to scale-up **** Rolling out the rules on a national scale could also prove challenging as the majority of Tanzanians live in very rural areas and a poor road network means access to healthcare is limited. **** ** ** Mobile diagnosis and training centres that offer new methods of testing - for example, with the use of fluorescence microscopes - could make diagnosis much faster and more accurate. **** ** ** "Patients in Tanzania often have to travel very long distances as most live in rural areas, which costs them money to travel every day and some are essentially too week to go on their own as a very large number are already suffering from the weakness that comes with HIV," said Alex Schulzer of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, which runs patient-centred TB programmes with the government. **** ** ** A shortage of medical professionals could also hinder the expansion of the programme; Schulzer recommended the use of lower cadre health workers and the community itself to fill gaps. The Novartis programme gives patients the choice to either take the daily treatment at a health facility under the supervision of a medical professional, or at home, supported by a family or community member. In the case of home-based treatment, the patient and treatment supporter are required to visit the health facility once a week during the two-month intensive phase to refill prescriptions and see a medical professional. **** ** ** Schulzer said the programme had created a system that gave patients "the freedom not to have to walk miles to the clinic every day. **** ** ** "We also needed to relieve some of the healthcare providers who cannot cope with such large patient numbers on a daily basis," he added**** ** ** *2* ****Rwanda****: Nyagatare Men Avoiding HIV Tests**** New Times, ****Rwanda******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By Dan Ngabonziza**** ** ** Nyagatare ? Many men in Nyagatare District are avoiding free voluntary HIV tests with their spouses despite mass sensitisation campaigns carried out by health officials.**** ** ** Most of married men who talked to The New Times in Karama Sector, preferred seeking the tests without their spouses to avoid squabbles in the family.*** * ** ** "It would turn violent if I go for HIV test with my wife and my results turn positive when she is negative. I would rather go for the test alone," affirmed Jean de la Paix Sindayigaya, a resident of Kabuga Cell.**** ** ** "I just secretly go for HIV test without informing my spouse. This becomes easy forme to handle her in case the tests results are positive".**** ** ** However, the head of Voluntary HIV Testing and Counselling at Kabuga Health Centre in Karama Sector, Donat Mubangizi, explained that it was advisable for couples to go for HIV tests together.**** ** ** "This helps us to counsel them on how they should live the rest of life in case they test HIV positive. Residents should be convinced that an HIV-positive person can even live for many years if he or she seeks counselling from health officials," he observed.**** ** ** It emerged that apart from some men who decline to accompany their spouses for testing, others just shun the test all together.**** ** ** "Some men believe that if a woman goes for HIV test and tests negative, they are also negative. That's why a big number of them (men) don't go for HIV test," noted another resident.**** ** ** Health officials in the sector believe that new HIV infections in the sector have drastically been checked as a result of mass campaigns conducted under a new project: "Behaviour Change and Social Marketing (BCSM)" which operates under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church.**** ** ** Over 121 couples in the sector sought free HIV test last week during the project's mass campaign in the 14 sectors of the district.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** Reform of laws on HIV sought**** The Hindu, ****India******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** STAFF REPORTER**** ** ** Chennai - Every time Priya goes to the airport, she hopes the security guy at the gate does not know to read Tamil. With a voter ID card that says male in Tamil and female in English, she, as a transgender, faces the problem of having multiple identities, and she is certainly not alone.**** ** ** People belonging to the transgender community like Priya were among the participants at a regional consultation organised by the V-Community Action Network and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law and UNAIDS Technical Support Facility for South Asia that took place here on Tuesday. Over 60 persons, including commercial sex workers, transgenders, people living with HIV and Men having Sex with Men (MSM) participated.**** ** ** ?Tamil Nadu may have been the frontrunner in improving the lives of the transgender community, but the focus has been more on the welfare, not on legal policies. Proper implementation of policies is what we want,? said S. Noori, president of the South India Positive Network.**** ** ** Members of the community highlighted their concerns, including the need for social protection and scientific sex change operations. ?The Transgender Welfare Board started in 2008 is almost dysfunctional now. There is no way our grievance can be heard,? said Ms. Noori. The participants discussed the need to reform laws related to HIV/AIDS, particularly ones that reinforce bias against persons with HIV. Since same-sex marriages are illegal, such couples cannot adopt or even buy a life insurance policy, among other things.**** ** ** ?Many police station and officials, to ensure they have a certain number of cases at the end of the year, arrest sex workers and make sure they get summoned and later arrested. Some even don't know that paid sex is not punishable in India, only soliciting is,? said Tito Thomas, director, Centre for Social Research and Development.**** ** ** Organisations need to stand up in defence of the community, besides providing intervention during crisis, said E. Manohar, a social activist from Karnataka. Mr. Manohar said that adult women, who were victims of trafficking, were often kept in government homes, worse than jails, and given an upkeep amount of not more than Rs.13 a day. The recent changes in laws in many countries, including Sweden, Denmark, and others to criminalise clients show that international communities too fail to understand how that would add to the insecurities of the sex workers, he said. Karnataka, he said, recently became the first State to allow all forms of transgenders to avail the benefits that backward classes do.**** ** ** HIV is not a medical issue alone, and it is necessary to understand it in the context of social, economical and psychological scenarios, said Indhu Sivakumar, from TSU- TANSACS. ?The community needs to be empowered too, even with the knowledge of legal procedures,? she added.**** ** ** Ayesha Mago, project coordinator, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law, underscored the need to table and pass the HIV Bill soon to ensure there was access to healthcare and education.**** ** ** *3* `Many children in Manipur die of HIV, untested and untreated` **** Kangla Online, ****India******** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Written by Imphal Free Press**** ** ** IMPHAL, Jan 31: With the launch of the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) programme, the onus is now great on outreach workers as the first step in caring for HIV infected children is accurate and early diagnosis of HIV.**** ** ** This was stated by project director of the Manipur State Aids Control Society (MACS) ****Dr** **SK******** ** ** Chaurasia while inaugurating a one-day capacity building workshop of outreach workers on Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and HIV Exposed Infants (HEI) care and treatment held here at Hotel Nirmala today.**** ** ** The workshop is the first in a series of programmes to be held during the next three days for training outreach workers, staff of EID designated centres, District AIDS Control officers and District Supervisers. It is organized by MACS with support from UNICEF, ****Assam**** office.**** ** ** Emphasizing the major role of outreach workers in the successful and effective implementation of the newly launched EID programme in the state, Dr Chaurasia urged the participants to work with full compassion and dedication to enhance the quality of life of HIV exposed children, he called upon them to ?reach the unreached.?**** ** ** Speaking as resource person during the technical session, former project director of MACS, Dr Pramod Kumar, Dr Pramod Kumar expressed concern that service gap in identifying and providing follow-up service to HIV exposed pregnant mothers and their children as well as late detection and diagnosis could lead to worsening of the HIV epidemic in the state.**** ** ** It is estimated that 94,000 children below 15 yrs are infected with HIV in * *India**, most of which are in the high burden districts of states in South and **North-East India**, including Manipur. In Manipur during the last five yrs, out of 11,72,116 people tested, 13,064 were found positive, out of which 4,803 were women and 1,369 were children. Sero-prevalence for children increased from 6.8 % in 2004 to 7.6 % in 2008, he said.**** ** ** Expressing concern, he added that as on October 2010 cumulative number of children living with HIV/AIDS registered in HIV care in the state was 2,431, but only 722 started ART. Hence, the fear is that many children either die untested and untreated, he continued, and further stressed that networking and linkages are extra important.**** ** ** ?We have the technology, medicine, doctors, facility and children who need help, therefore not providing service here would be akin to killing the children ourselves,? he said urging the outreach workers to do their best in closing the gaps in service.**** ** ** Deputy Director (CST) of MACS, Dr Y. Gopal Krishna, Head of Department of Paediatric Department, RIMS, Prof. Dr. H. Ranbir, Programme Director, Centre of Excellence, Paediatric, JNIMS, Dr. Apabi, Technician at ART Centre, RIMS, Bunty Naorem, and State Co-ordinator of IL&FS, M. Premjit were the other resource persons of the workshop.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Global health hits crisis point **** Nature**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Laurie Garrett**** ** ** Last week, Michel Kazatchkine tendered his resignation as executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Regardless of whether you've heard of the French AIDS scientist, or even of the fund, you should keep reading. This is a crucial, dangerous moment for global health.**** ** ** Kazatchkine made clear the political struggle that forced his resignation. ?The Global Fund has helped to spearhead an entirely new framework of international development partnership,? he wrote in his resignation letter. But under stress during the world economic crisis, with radically declining support from donors, a battle developed. ?Today, the Global Fund stands at a cross-road. In the international political economy, power-balances are shifting and new alignments of countries and decision-making institutions are emerging or will have to be developed to achieve global goals. Within the area of global health, the emergency approaches of the past decade are giving way to concerns about how to ensure long-term sustainability, while at the same time, efficiency is becoming a dominant measure of success,? he wrote.**** ** ** It is almost possible to hear Kazatchkine spitting out the words 'sustainability' and 'efficiency'. Since the financial crisis of November 2008, a storm has been brewing over these concepts, one that affects everything from humanitarian responses to projects that distribute malaria bed nets. It is a fight, and on one side are those who believe that crises in general, and the AIDS pandemic and allied diseases in particular, constitute global 'emergencies' that must be tackled with full force, mistakes be damned. On the other are those who feel that AIDS is now a chronic disease that can be managed with medication and therefore requires investment in permanent infrastructure of care and treatment that can eventually be operated and funded by the countries themselves.**** ** ** It is a classic battle of titans, pitting urgency against long-term sustainability. In his resignation letter, Kazatchkine essentially conceded victory to the forces for sustainability. Charitable urgency didn't stand a chance once the donor states started cinching their domestic budget belts so tightly that they had to punch new buckle holes.**** ** ** The fund was established ten years ago as a unique mechanism to move billions of dollars from rich countries to poorer ones, to combat and treat three infectious diseases: HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. It acts as a granting agency, accepting applications from governments and health organizations, and convenes regular replenishment meetings to tell donors ? mostly the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany ? how much money is needed for the next round.**** ** ** By the end of 2009, the fund was disbursing US$2.7 billion a year, and was underwriting almost half of all HIV treatment in poor countries, about two-thirds of all malaria prevention and treatment in the world and about 65% of all tuberculosis efforts. The fund's most marked impact has been on malaria. At the end of 2011, the World Health Organization estimated that the number of malaria deaths had fallen by one-quarter between 2000 and 2010.**** ** ** But Global-Fund cash has spawned dependency and expectation among its recipients. Should it disappear, or radically diminish, countries would be hard-pressed to finance malaria and tuberculosis efforts.**** ** ** Indeed, the great diminishment has commenced. In October 2010, the fund asked donors for $20 billion for five years' worth of disbursements. The donors were indignant and committed just over half that. In response, the fund's flabbergasted leadership cancelled the next grant round, and it will now not distribute new grants until 2014.**** ** ** Donor scrutiny increased and a high-level independent review panel set up by the fund's governing board, which includes representatives of United Nations agencies and the World Bank, released a scathing report, citing a litany of problems, including fraud, theft and inconsistent decision-making by grant reviewers.**** ** ** At a meeting in ****Accra**, **Ghana****, on 21 November, the board members expressed shock at the problems identified by the high-level panel, and by reports commissioned on the situation on the ground in some countries. Some African leaders described riots and demonstrations at the lack of vital medicines, especially for HIV. The board's own investigation showed that the fund had committed assets of $10 billion for 2011?13, but had only about $4 billion in its bank accounts.**** ** ** The board called for ways to stretch available resources and eliminate inefficiencies. Key to that would be the appointment of a general manager to oversee all spending, pushing Kazatchkine aside. Stepping into that position is Colombian banker Gabriel Jaramillo.**** ** ** To try to give Jaramillo a running start, in ****Davos**, **Switzerland****, last week, Bill Gates handed over some $750 million, redeemable by the fund in full during 2012, or spread out over time. And the Saudi Arabian government announced a $25-million donation. As generous as these millions may be, the fund needs billions just to stay alive and fulfil country grants, let alone to grow. Right now we have no idea where that money will come from. Should the fund collapse, the consequences will be severe. Progress against tuberculosis and malaria will stall, and more than a million people living with HIV could be left without treatment.**** Volume:482,Pages:7 DOI:doi:10.1038/482007a**** ** ** *3* Save **West Africa** from the drugs barons **** The Observer**** 29/01/2012**** ** ** Comment is free**** By Kofi Annan**** ** ** Over the last decade, West Africa has made encouraging progress. Violent conflicts that had blighted the region for many years have been ended. There have been real advances in development, health and education. Economic growth is accelerating. Democratic practice, although still not the norm everywhere in the region, is taking root.**** ** ** But this progress is increasingly at risk from the threat posed by international drug trafficking and the criminal networks behind the trade. The smuggling of illegal drugs through West Africa, notably cocaine and heroin, has increased dramatically. A decade ago, the total seizures of cocaine in the region were less than 100 kilos. By 2009, this had increased to nearly 6,500 kilos. The World Bank estimated that cocaine with a street value of $6.8bn was trafficked through the region the previous year.**** ** ** This is not restricted to West Africa. Across the globe, drug trafficking and the organised crime behind it are placing increasing pressures on all legal and democratic systems. But countries emerging from conflict or violence are particularly susceptible to organised crime. Law enforcement can be weak, while widespread poverty makes it easier for criminal networks to penetrate and pervert the often fragile institutions of democratic states.**** ** ** West Africa and other regions in Africa are not immune from these pressures. Indeed, they face three inter-related dangers from illegal drug trafficking. First, there is the threat from drug-funded corruption, which can corrode fledgling state institutions and undermine good governance and the rule of law. Second, there is the risk that drug traffickers link up with other criminal elements or, worse, terrorist groups that may be trying to infiltrate and destabilise the region.**** ** ** Finally, there is the harmful impact on the health and social cohesion of local communities caused by growing drug consumption by people within the region. Evidence of this disturbing trend is already apparent. According to a recent report from the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime, in 2009 around a third of the South American cocaine destined for Europe and shipped via West Africa was consumed locally.**** ** ** Organisations such as the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States have already sounded the alarm about the growing scale of the threat and the dangers it poses to governance, security and democracy. Governments in the region are taking action to stem and disrupt the flow of drugs. But there remains an urgent need to accelerate and ensure a coherent response at the national, regional and international levels.**** ** ** We need to take action now before the grip of the criminal networks linked to the trafficking of illicit drugs tightens into a stranglehold on West African political and economic development. That can only achieved through a strong, well-co-ordinated and integrated effort led by West African states with the strong backing of the international community. In particular, the region needs more help from those countries that are producing and consuming these drugs.**** ** ** To help provide new impetus and solutions to this threat, a meeting of independent experts from within the region and the wider international community will be convened later this year. The aim is to assess the dangers that drug trafficking poses to governance, security and democracy in West Africa and to propose concrete measures to combat this insidious menace.**** ** ** We have already seen, in other parts of the world, the devastation the trade in drugs can cause. It would be a tragedy if drugs were again to plunge West Africa into conflict and destroy the progress and hard-won democratic gains of recent years. We must all come together to prevent such a disaster.**** ** ** *4***** Put planet and its people at the core of sustainable development, urges report **** The Guardian**** 30/01/2012**** ** ** Mark Tran in Addis Ababa**** ** ** Social and environmental costs need to be integrated into measurement of economic activity, a new UN report said on Monday as it urged world leaders to focus on the long-term resilience of the planet and its people.**** ** ** The report from the high-level panel on global sustainability calls for a set of sustainable development indicators that go beyond the traditional approach of gross domestic product. It recommends that governments develop and apply a set of sustainable development goals that can mobilise global action.**** ** ** At the report's launch during the AU summit, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, made it plain that sustainable development is a top priority for his second term of office.**** ** ** "We need to chart a new, more sustainable course for the future, one that strengthens equality and economic growth while protecting our planet," he said.**** ** ** Ban established a 22-member panel in August 2010, co-chaired by Finland's president Tarja Halonen and Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa. The group was tasked with producing a blueprint for sustainable development and low-carbon prosperity.**** ** ** The panel's final report, Resilient People, Resilient Planet: a Future Worth Choosing, contains 56 recommendations to put sustainable development into practice and to mainstream it into economic policy as quickly as possible.**** ** ** Halonen stressed the importance of placing people at the centre of achieving sustainable development.**** ** ** "Eradication of poverty and improving equity must remain priorities for the world community," she said. "The panel has concluded that empowering women and ensuring a greater role for them in the economy is critical for sustainable development."**** ** ** The report feeds into preparations for the UN conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) in Brazil in June 2012. Among its key points is that most goods and services sold today fail to bear the full environmental and social cost of production and consumption.**** ** ** "Based on the science, we need to reach consensus, over time, on methodologies to price them properly. Costing environmental externalities could open new opportunities for green growth and green jobs," says the report.**** ** ** Underscoring the importance of science as an essential guide for decision-making on sustainability issues, the report calls on the UN secretary-general to lead efforts to produce a regular global sustainable development outlook report that integrates knowledge across sectors and institutions, and to consider creating a science advisory board or scientific advisor.**** ** ** The report stresses the importance of gender equality in any serious shift towards sustainable development.**** ** ** "Half of humankind's collective intelligence and capacity is a resource we must nurture and develop, for the sake of multiple generations to come," says the report. "The next increment of global growth could well come from the full economic empowerment of women."**** ** ** Among the recommendations for a sustainable economy, the report calls for a phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies and other "perverse or trade-distorting" subsidies by 2020. However, such decisions can be politically unpopular, as the unrest in Nigeria over a reduction in fuel subsidies underlined. Aware of the political sensitivities involved, the report says the reduction of subsidies must be done in a manner that protects the poor.**** ** ** The report calls on governments to change the regulation of financial markets to promote longer-term and sustainable investment. It cites the example of Norway, where the ministry of finance is responsible for co-ordinating work on a national strategy covering the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development.**** ** ** To implement this strategy, Norway has integrated sustainable development into the annual budget. In every yearly budget, follow-up is reported in a separate chapter that includes contributions from each government ministry as well as the statistics office.**** ** ** As the report notes, Norway has developed 18 indicators that have become increasingly important in monitoring the extent to which the country's activities are consistent with sustainable development targets.**** ** ** While welcoming the panel's vision, Oxfam said the recommendations were weak.**** ** ** "The emphasis on women's rights and the call for an 'ever-green' revolution in agriculture, so it is more resource-efficient and productive, is helpful, but concrete recommendations on reforming the food system are thin," said Sarah Best of Oxfam. "There is nothing in the report on how to finance the recommendations ? for instance, through a levy on international shipping and aviation, or a financial transaction tax ? which has been backed by the UN panel on climate finance." **** ** ** The panel's findings come 25 years after Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former prime minister of Norway, produced a landmark eponymous report that defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".**** ** ** "Since then, the world has gained a deeper understanding of the interconnected challenges we face and the fact that sustainable development provides the best opportunity for people to choose their future," says the report. "This makes ours a propitious moment in history to make the right choices and move towards sustainable development in earnest."**** ** ** *5* The Global Fund must come of age (Editorial) **** Financial Times**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** The Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria has proved to be one of the world?s most important and innovative multilateral funding agencies. The abrupt reshuffle of top management last week must not distract attention from its achievements over the past decade, which on their own justify further donor support.**** ** ** Michel Kazatchkine, the Swiss-based organisation?s executive director for the past five years, resigned after the board imposed a general manager to work alongside him and restructure its operations. His contribution in raising funds and support over the past five years deserves recognition.**** ** ** His departure followed allegations ? rebutted by the board ? that the Global Fund had made payments to people close to Carla Bruni, President Sarkozy?s wife, who is an HIV ambassador. There were also claims of corruption among countries receiving its support. If Mr Kazatchkine is open to criticism, it centres on his governance style. The overall level of abuse was low, and the Global Fund?s policy of transparency ? including publishing audits of its own inspector-general ? has left it vulnerable to attacks compared with rival aid agencies.**** ** ** By avoiding the ?top down? approach of faddish programmes dictated by donors, the Global Fund has helped developing countries to save millions of lives and boost economic growth through bednets, diagnostics, health education and medicines to treat the world?s three most lethal infectious diseases. It is a model that could be applied more widely in health, education and other areas of development assistance.**** ** ** After 10 years urgently raising and spending money, there is a need to re-examine the agency?s management and operations, particularly when squeezed donors are seeking better value for money. The Global Fund, like its peers, must be more critical in scrutinising grant applications to ensure its stretched finances go to the neediest: those with fewest resources, the highest disease burden, and policies that do most to prevent and treat infection.**** ** ** That requires a very different set of skills than those expected of Mr Kazatchkine when he was appointed to build an organisation still in its infancy. It also implies a more active role from Global Fund directors, with greater accountability imposed on the board of donor and recipient governments, non-profit groups and businesses. They must share the blame for past failures and extend more selective support in the future.**** Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2012.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Beneficios para pacientes de VIH/SIDA **** Nuevo D?a Puerto Rico**** 29/01/2012**** ** ** Por Inter News Service**** ** ** Puerto Rico ha obtenido mayores beneficios que otros estados para los pacientes de VIH/SIDA, dijo hoy el secretario de Salud, Lorenzo Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** "Hemos trabajado incansablemente para que la comunidad VIH/SIDA en Puerto Rico adquiera beneficios adicionales para atender su condici?n. En esa direcci?n, esta administraci?n ha alcanzado innumerables logros para continuar brindando servicios y asegurando otros que han sido eliminados en otras jurisdicciones de Estados Unidos", se?al?.**** ** ** "El plan de salud del gobierno, Mi Salud (Modelo Integrado de Salud), cuenta con una cubierta amplia de servicios para el tratamiento de los beneficiarios elegibles y con condici?n Factor VIH Positivo y/o S?ndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (SIDA). Esto incluye servicios ambulatorios, medicamentos y servicios de hospitalizaci?n, entre otros", record? el galeno, al tiempo que rese?? que en el 2010 se destinaron alrededor de 44.2 millones de d?lares en servicios m?dicos directos a la poblaci?n VIH/SIDA de los cuales 15.1 millones se pagaron en medicamentos.**** ** ** El Secretario de Salud indic? adem?s que la Administraci?n de Seguros de Salud (ASES), mediante un acuerdo con el Departamento de Salud, identific? 26 millones de d?lares para la utilizaci?n de medicamentos de pacientes VIH/SIDA. **** ** ** Seg?n datos de la agencia, bajo la cubierta de Mi Salud, se atendieron en el a?o 2010 un total 7,385 pacientes ?nicos de VIH/SIDA.**** ** ** "El Plan Mi Salud tiene en su cubierta especial a los pacientes de VIH/SIDA para que puedan acceder los servicios de la red de proveedores sin necesidad de referidos y cuenta con centros especializados dedicados para beneficio de esta poblaci?n", a?adi? Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** El funcionario precis? que, en Puerto Rico no existe una lista de espera para medicamentos sufragados por el programa ADAP (AIDS Drugs Assistance Program). "Esto contrasta con 12 estados de Estados Unidos, que han tenido que implementar una lista de espera como medida de control de costos. Hemos tomado medidas que garanticen la continuidad del tratamiento de esta poblaci?n y as? contin?en recibiendo sus medicamentos", asegur?.**** ** ** Destac? adem?s que el a?o pasado se implement? por primera vez un Programa de Asistencia en Deducibles y Co-aseguros para personas con VIH/SIDA que tienen un plan m?dico privado. "De esta iniciativa, se han beneficiado 226 pacientes que participan del programa que les permite asumir los costos para su debido tratamiento que de otra forma no pod?an sufragar. Esperamos poder proveer este servicio a otros pacientes elegibles", augur? Gonz?lez Feliciano.**** ** ** Sobre el programa Ryan White, el funcionario agreg? que se est? atendiendo responsablemente las penalidades que recibi? Puerto Rico bajo pasadas administraciones y que al d?a de hoy consiste de una deuda que asciende a 28 millones de d?lares.**** ** ** "Mediante un esfuerzo coordinado con la Oficina del Comisionado Residente, estamos en el proceso de negociaci?n de la deuda arrastrada desde los a?os 2002-2005 por la mala utilizaci?n de estos fondos federales y que incluye intereses generados de unos 4 millones de d?lares", dijo.**** ** ** Actualmente, el equipo de Ryan White se encuentra realizando una nueva Encuesta de Satisfacci?n a Pacientes de los servicios que se proveen a trav?s de la red de proveedores con el fin de obtener el informe final para este pr?ximo mes de febrero. "La informaci?n que obtengamos producto de esta encuesta nos permitir? realizar cualquier ajuste en el plan de trabajo establecido para nuestros pacientes de VIH/SIDA, especialmente en el ?rea de calidad", adelant? el galeno.**** ** ** *2* Balance del gobierno 2008-2012 y disidentes sexuales **** Cambo de MIchuac?n, Mexico**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Gerardo A. Herrera P?rez**** ** ** Estamos ya en la cuenta regresiva del gobierno del maestro Leonel Godoy Rangel, a unos d?as de que concluya esta administraci?n; quienes hemos estado trabajando en favor de la diversidad sexual, en contra de la discriminaci?n y a favor de la igualdad social, presentamos un balance general de las principales acciones realizadas por la comunidad diversa sexual y el gobierno del estado.**** ** ** Presentar un balance del Programa Estatal de Desarrollo del Gobierno 2008-2012 en relaci?n con los homosexuales, me parece fundamental, porque da congruencia al trabajo que se puede realizar desde diversos escenarios con la participaci?n de los diferentes ?rganos de gobierno a favor de los grupos vulnerados.**** ** ** Se emprendieron diversas acciones con este gobierno desde su inicio, recordamos cuando convoc? el titular de la Secretar?a de Gobierno, el otrora maestro Fidel Calder?n a una comisi?n promotora del Foro Estatal de Democracia Participativa, que se llev? a cabo en marzo de 2008, de la cual form? parte el Grupo de Facto Diversidad Sexual y desde luego el Colectivo de Organizaciones de Derechos Humanos y para 2009, la misma comisi?n promotora convoc? a los foros regionales, que se llevaron a cabo en diversas regiones del estado (Zit?cuaro, L?zaro C?rdenas, Zamora, entre otras). Grupo de Facto, en todos los foros no s?lo fue comit? promotor, sino que entreg? en todos estos foros posicionamientos desde la sociedad civil para fortalecer la figura jur?dica de la Contralor?a Social, la iniciativa popular, entre otras. Gracias a este trabajo de cientos de michoacanas y michoacanos el gobierno del estado pudo preparar una iniciativa de Ley de Participaci?n Ciudadana y entregarla a la pasada LXXI Legislatura, quien de manera ?rasurada? aprob?.**** ** ** Otro aspecto en el que el Grupo de Facto colabor? fue en la formaci?n y capacitaci?n de recursos humanos de la Secretar?a de Seguridad P?blica para fortalecer acciones de prevenci?n para la comunidad disidente sexual; con las y el titular de dicha instancia gubernamental se tuvieron acercamientos que permitieron llevar a cabo una pol?tica p?blica de prevenci?n del delito para la comunidad homosexual y llevar a cabo acciones de sensibilizaci?n a trav?s de cursos taller con la polic?a del Centro Hist?rico de Morelia, cuyo prop?sito fue reforzar los principios de igualdad y tolerancia entre personas con una preferencia diferente a la heterosexual, y plantear la no discriminaci?n a grupos vulnerables y personas viviendo con VIH Sida. Estas acciones concluyeron el 18 de febrero del 2010, cuando se entregaron las constancias a polic?as del Centro Hist?rico que participaron en el curso-taller de discriminaci?n por preferencias sexuales, trabajo sexual y portadores de VIH/Sida, un evento in?dito hasta ese momento en el estado de Michoac?n.**** ** ** Adicionalmente y de manera coordinada, Grupo de Facto y SSP dise?aron e instrumentaron la pol?tica p?blica integral de ?prevenci?n y seguridad? para la comunidad homosexual, que incluye: a) ?Cartilla para la prevenci?n del delito?, se repartieron 5 mil ejemplares, b) L?nea telef?nica del 066 de ?emergencias?, c) La operaci?n de una Oficina de Atenci?n a la Diversidad Sexual, dependiente de la Direcci?n de Participaci?n Ciudadana para la Prevenci?n del Delito y d) Correo electr?nico, el cual brind? asesor?a v?a internet.**** ** ** Adicionalmente a ello, se desarrollaron ?cursos de capacitaci?n a la Polic?a Estatal Preventiva desde la perspectiva de los derechos humanos para el servicio de seguridad?, los mismos fueron organizados por la Unidad de Derechos Humanos (UDH) de la Secretar?a de Gobierno, en cuyo temario incluyeron los temas de diversidad sexual; discriminaci?n y estigma. El curso taller que imparti? Grupo de Facto fue en diversos momentos, en abril, mayo y junio de 2011, tanto en la Academia de Polic?a en Morelia, como en Uruapan, en Zit?cuaro y en Apatzing?n, capacit?ndose a m?s de 250 elementos de Seguridad P?blica y funcionarios de procuraci?n de justicia.*** * ** ** Cabe destacar que tambi?n de manera coordinada con el Centro de Readaptaci?n Social de Mil Cumbres, se llevaron a cabo diversas acciones con las mujeres reclusas, conferencia sobre violencia de g?nero, Feria Informativa sobre el Derecho a la Salud, entre otras acciones. **** ** ** Con la Secretar?a de Pol?tica Social se particip? en las cuatro ferias de las OSC organizadas por esta administraci?n; en la Octava Feria de las OSC 2011, el Grupo de Facto pudo dirigirse al se?or gobernador a nombre de las 145 OSC participantes, el mensaje incluyo apoy? para las OSC y la presentaci?n de la Ley de Fortalecimiento a las OSC en Michoac?n; de igual manera la Sepsol apoy? a Grupo de Facto con materiales m?dicos para ser entregados a personas adultas mayores de diversas localidades de P?tzcuaro.* *** ** ** Con la Secretar?a de la Mujer (Semujer) y en el seno del Consejo Estatal para la Atenci?n y Prevenci?n del VIH Sida (Coesida), con diversas dependencias y entidades de la administraci?n p?blica del estado, el Grupo de Facto (consejero del Coesida) ha propuesto acciones que hoy se constituyen como pol?tica p?blica, como lo fue el Grupo de Trabajo Mujer y VIH Sida, que es presidido por la Semujer, con el apoyo de Grupo de Facto y otras instancias; de igual manera se promovieron diversas acciones que se realizan a favor de la inclusi?n y pluralidad para prevenir la discriminaci?n de quienes viven con VIH Sida y cuya Comisi?n contra Estigma y Discriminaci?n es presidida por el Grupo de Facto; adem?s se han apoyado los eventos para la conmemoraci?n del D?a Internacional de Lucha Contra el Sida en Morelia y L?zaro C?rdenas y ser el Grupo de Facto quienes empujan de manera conjunta con otras instancias como la Procuradur?a de Justicia y la Fiscal?a Especial de Delitos de la Familia, el Programa del D?a de la Tolerancia y Respeto a las Diferencias con una diversidad de acciones, como conferencias, talleres, foros, exposiciones y ferias de la salud.**** ** ** Tambi?n con la Semujer hemos colaborado en el modelo de equidad de g?nero y de mujer y VIH Sida, participando en al menos 33 diversos eventos (conferencias, cursos de capacitaci?n y talleres) para la sensibilizaci?n de personal m?dico para evitar la discriminaci?n en espacios hospitalarios de las jurisdicciones sanitarias de L?zaro C?rdenas, Uruapan, Zit?cuaro, La Piedad, Zamora y Morelia, as? como para apoyar las acciones que se desarrollan en materia de sexualidad entre la Semujer y la SEE, en este marco el Grupo de Facto apoy? con talleres a maestros de educaci?n secundaria t?cnica, secundarias generales y telesecundarias de todo el estado, con eventos regionales en Ciudad Hidalgo, Zamora, Zacapu, L?zaro C?rdenas, Maravat?o, Uruapan, Apatzing?n, M?gica y Morelia.**** ** ** Con el Sistema Michoacano de Radio y Televisi?n participamos en diversos programas de radio y televisi?n, Grupo de Facto fue comentarista en ?Contexto a las seis?, conducido por V?ctor Ardura, de manera permanente y hoy tenemos el honor de ser articulistas del peri?dico semanal El Michoacano, as? como comentarista del programa de televisi?n ?Razones?, adem?s de participar en diversas ocasiones en programas espec?ficos del sistema como ?Conexi?n Sepsol?, ?Reactivo despertando inquietudes?, los noticieros en sus tres horarios, entre otros programas especiales.**** ** ** De igual manera se particip? en diversos foros, congresos y talleres a que fue invitado Grupo de Facto durante estos ya cuatro a?os de administraci?n y que a los mismos siempre lleg? Grupo de Facto con propuestas concretas para proponer. Cabe destacar el trabajo permanente de Grupo de Facto en el Consejo Estatal para la Prevenci?n del VIH Sida, tanto como consejero, como coordinador del Comit? contra Estigma y Discriminaci?n, desde donde se realizaron diversas acciones de prevenci?n.**** ** ** De igual manera destacamos la participaci?n del Ejecutivo del estado en diversos eventos realizados por el Grupo de Facto, como los realizados en las cinco ?ltimas ediciones para conmemorar el D?a Internacional contra la Homofobia.**** ** ** Desde la sociedad civil organizada, Grupo de Facto logr? articular con la voluntad pol?tica de las autoridades gubernamentales un proyecto de sinergias al Programa Estatal de Desarrollo 2008-2012; la ?nica asignatura pendiente, no se instal? el Consejo Estatal para Prevenir la Discriminaci?n. **** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Can New Circumcision Devices Help Fight AIDS in **Africa**?**** TIME Magazine**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Alexandra Sifferlin**** ** ** It?s a lofty, but vital goal. Africa wants to circumcise 20 million men by 2015 to help curb the AIDS epidemic plaguing the continent. Studies show that the procedure is one of the most effective ?vaccines? against HIV, reducing the risk of infection in men by at least 60%, the New York Times reports.**** ** ** However, only about 600,000 men have had the operation so far and the clock is ticking ? every missed day means more chances for infection. The main obstacle lies in a shortage of surgeons to provide circumcision, and provide it quickly. According to the Times, it takes a skilled surgeon about 15 minutes per circumcision and such doctors are hard to come by in Africa.**** ** ** Now, new circumcision devices on the market may help fill the demand. PrePex and Shang Ring are two devices under evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO) to speed the process, Dr. Stefano Bertozzi, director of HIV for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation told the Times.**** ** ** The FDA approved PrePex just a few weeks ago. It was invented in 2009 by four Israelis, one a urologist who heard the plea for surgeons in Africa. Out of all similar devices, PrePex is so far the quickest, least bloody and least painful. It?s also remarkably simple ? its technology is based on a rubber band. According to the Times:**** ** ** The band compresses the foreskin against a plastic ring slipped inside it; the foreskin dies within hours for lack of blood and, after a week, falls off or can be clipped off ?like a fingernail,? said Tzameret Fuerst, the company?s chief executive officer, who compared the process to the stump of an umbilical cord?s shriveling up and dropping off a few days after it is clamped.**** (You can watch a video of PrePex being used on an adult patient here, but be warned, the images are explicit.)**** ** ** According to Dr. Jason Reed, an epidemiologist in the global AIDS division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PrePex could increase circumcisions to 400 a day, compared to the current 60 to 80. The device can be placed and removed in minutes by trained nurses.**** ** ** The WHO is also considering the Shang Ring, a Chinese device with a plastic two-ring clamp. Unlike PrePex, the Chinese contraption requires the medical provider to cut excess foreskin beyond the clamp, which means injections of anesthetics are needed, as well as enough training for the provider to perform minor surgery.**** ** ** ?The Shang is not as fast, but it?s faster than full-fledged surgery,? AIDS-prevention expert Mitchell Warren told the Times. ?And it hasn?t submitted as much safety data.?**** ** ** Although there are a few other devices on the market, PrePex and Shang Ring are the most promising. If approved for use by WHO, the devices could be fundamental in helping Africa meet its goal.**** ** ** *3* AIDS treatment on Indian reservations clouded by secrets, stigma**** The Sun Herald**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** By NICOLE GILBERT - Cronkie News Service**** ** ** CHINLE, Arizona -- Melvin Harrison drifted far from his boyhood home on the Navajo Nation and found himself addicted to drugs and barefoot on the streets of San Diego.**** ** ** When he entered a drug and alcohol treatment program in 1987, he had no idea what HIV was or that AIDS would claim the lives of so many he loved. It wasn't something talked about on the reservation, he said.**** Then, with one blood test, **Harrison** faced his own mortality. **** ** ** "It scared the heck out of me because I was shooting drugs," he said.**** **Harrison** tested negative for HIV. But his experience prompted him to take action in the Navajo community, educating people about the disease as the founding executive director of the Navajo AIDS Network.**** ** ** "In the Navajo way of life ... on HIV and gay issues, nobody is understanding," he said.**** Harrison and others say that HIV is a taboo topic among the Navajo tribe, one of the largest in the country with more than 300,000 members. Many Navajo, they say, believe that speaking of disease is the same as bringing it into the community.**** ** ** The **Gallup** **Indian** **Medical** **Center** in ****Gallup**, **N.M.****, has seen a steady increase of new HIV cases among Navajos over the past 10 years - doctors recorded 35 cases in 2010, up from just 15 cases in 2000. The numbers may reflect an increase in testing, but according to infectious disease specialist Dr. Jonathan Iralu, they may reveal other trends.**** ** ** "HIV is not just an illness that's present in the East Coast or the West Coast or the inner city," he said. "It's something that's come even to rural ****America****."**** Iralu said he sees more cases these days of Navajos contracting HIV from other Navajos, whereas before most patients became infected in cities off the reservation. And more heterosexual people are testing positive now, he said, shattering the misconception that only homosexual men contract HIV.*** * ** ** The Navajo AIDS Network works with the ****Gallup** **Indian** **Medical** * *Center**** to provide case management and counseling to newly diagnosed patients all across the reservation. It also offers HIV testing, promoted by advertisements in movie theaters, posters and brochures.**** ** ** **Harrison** said his organization probably only works with a fraction of the Navajos infected with HIV, as the stigma of and misinformation about AIDS prevents residents from getting tested.**** "If you go down here to the schools or across Navajo (territory), you'll find that many of our high school students, and just people in general, think that's still a gay man's disease," he said.**** ** ** *4* Coming soon: over-the-counter oral AIDS test **** Crain?s New York Business.com**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Gale Scott**** ** ** With HIV infection remaining a major health concern in ****New York City****, many public health researchers are clamoring for an over-the-counter oral test for the virus. The thinking is that a home kit would let people test themselves, or to insist that partners or potential partners take and pass the test as a condition of having unprotected sex.**** ** ** That test could arrive soon, if the FDA rules favorably on an application from OraSure Technologies. The ****Bethlehem**, **Penn.****, company has asked permission to have its OraQuick rapid HIV test approved for retail sale?much like a home pregnancy test. The product is widely used in clinical settings and is expected to sell for around $20 if approved. **** ** ** Though many companies sell rapid HIV tests, OraSure is the only one that sells both blood and oral tests. Six others sell blood tests. "Our market share is 70% to 80% in public health and 50% to 60% in hospitals. We are the market leader" said OraSure CEO Douglas Michels.**** ** ** FDA approval could come this year, ending a process that started when the company approached the FDA in 2004 with market research that showed a $500 million potential ****U.S.**** sales-demand for a home test. The company submitted its final module of clinical tests results to the FDA in last month.**** ** ** Physically, the process would be simple: wipe a swab inside the mouth, dip it into a container, wait 20 minutes. One line means HIV negative, two lines means it is positive. In terms of manners however, it would be anything but simple, according to a study by ****Columbia** **University****researchers published Wednesday. **** ** ** Alex Carballo-Di?guez, Timothy Frasca and colleagues at the **HIV** **Center ** for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the ****New York**** State Psychiatric Institute recruited subjects from a high-risk group, men who have sex with men. Though the HIV test would be marketed to heterosexuals as well, the researchers chose homosexual and bisexual men because the virus is spreading more quickly in that demographic. Of 3,481 new HIV diagnoses in ****New York City**** in 2010, 52.1% were among these men, versus 47.4% in 2009, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. **** ** ** In the ****Columbia**** study, researchers offered these men the OraQuick test in their office and then interviewed them about their attitudes toward using it. Most?over 80% of the men?said they would use the kit to test sexual partners or themselves if it became available over the counter. **** ** ** But there was little agreement on how to broach the subject with a partner, how to handle an unexpected positive result, or deal with other situations. ?The most surprising thing was how people would use it,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez, ?Some people said they would use it with casual partners, others said they would want there to be familiarity, and would use it only with their main partner.?**** ** ** The study, published in the Journal of Sex Research, included remarks and explanations from the test subjects, identified only by age and ethnicity. * *** ** ** Asked how they would bring up the topic of taking the test, some said they would be blunt and direct. The study quoted a Latino man, age 25, as planning to say, ?Well, I'm interested in sexual health, well-being; would you mind taking this, you know, with me?? Another said he would use persuasion, talking up the uniqueness of the test and ?how great it is.? Others said they would make the test a condition of forgoing condom use or as a sign that a relationship had moved to steady from casual status.**** ** ** Most saw a common problem in using the test with casual partners in spontaneous situations. ?To wait 20 minutes to see what would happen would put the brakes on whatever crescendo you're having,? said a 40-year-old white man. ?It's a buzz killer.? **** ** ** A more serious concern, one raised by the test's opponents, is how users would react to a positive test. ?There's a lot of potential opposition and clinics might not be crazy about direct access in a private setting with no personnel with them if they get a positive result,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez.**** ** ** OraSure's Mr. Michels said he had heard those concerns, but felt they were not an obstacle.**** ** ** "Those objections have been raised and discussed, there has been an opportunity for public comment, but there is broad support for this test." * *** ** ** Mr. Frasca added, ?There has been a progressive loosening of restrictions on HIV testing,? and that many people feel the FDA will approve the application. **** ** ** In announcing its latest FDA submission, OraSure cited federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics on the need to expand testing. There are approximately 1.2 million people in the ****U.S.**** who have HIV and about 240,000 are unaware of their status, according to the company.**** ** ** Meanwhile, the test subjects had different ideas on the best strategy for dealing with a positive test. Some said they would offer deep sympathy and ask how to help. A minority said they'd be out the door. ?Man, got to go,? said a 21-year-old black man describing his likely reaction. **** ** ** The researchers are now following up with a second study in which they have distributed tests for home use and will later ask subjects to report on their experiences using them. So far they have not studied the heterosexual population, but said it could have widespread use. They could even see a scenario?remote?in which a person could test a partner surreptitiously. ?It's come up; I guess you could swab someone when they were sleeping, but it would very difficult,? said Mr. Carballo-Di?guez. **** ** ** *5* SAfrica recalls 1.35 million condoms handed out during ANC celebrations over claims of flaws **** Associated Press**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** *Story widely covered by global media channels* ** ** ****JOHANNESBURG**** ? Some condoms burst. Others leaked like sieves. ****South Africa****?s leading anti-AIDS group said Tuesday that allegedly faulty condoms are among more than 1.35 million handed out at the African National Congress? 100th birthday party.**** ** ** Health officials confirmed that all of those condoms have been ordered to be recalled. But the Treatment Action Campaign said no warning has been issued to people that they may have carried away defective condoms that could now cause them to unsuspectingly spread or contract HIV. ****South Africa**** has the world?s highest number of AIDS patients, some 5.6 million.**** ** ** The third recall in less than five years raises questions about the quality of some of the 425 million-plus condoms that the government gives away each year, and the competence of the South African Bureau of Standards that is supposed to ensure their quality is up to international standards.**** ** ** AIDS activist Sello Mokhalipi of the Treatment Action Campaign said he complained to the health department after ?we had people flocking in, coming to report that the condoms had burst while they were having sex.?**** ** ** Some were panicking because they were infected with AIDS and were concerned for their partners, he said.**** ** ** Spokesman Jabu Mbalula of the ****Free State**** provincial health department, which distributed the condoms before the Jan. 6-8 celebrations, said they had recalled the entire batch of 1.35 million condoms around Jan. 18. He said there was no need for a panic.**** ** ** But he was unable to say how many of the condoms were used or have been recovered.**** ** ** In 2007, the government recalled more than 20 million defective condoms manufactured locally but recovered only 12 million. The Health Ministry said many of the condoms failed the air burst test.**** ** ** That came after a recall the same year of 5 million defective and locally produced condoms. In that case, the Ministry of Health said a testing manager at the South African Bureau of Standards had taken a bribe to certify the faulty contraceptives.**** ** ** AIDS activist Mokhalipi said the latest recall was limited to health workers going to the ****Bloemfontein**** hotels, guesthouses and bars where they had deposited the condoms and reclaiming any that remained.**** ** ** He complained that the health department had not issued countrywide warnings to alert people not to use condoms distributed during the celebrations that drew tens of thousands of people.**** ** ** ?People came from all over and probably took many away with them, so those condoms are now all over the country,? he said.**** ** ** Those who had used condoms that allegedly had burst should be told to get post-exposure tests and treatment, he said.**** ** ** ?We want the department to go out and tell people about these faulty condoms,? Mokhalipi said. ?How can they say people should not panic if there are still clearly people out there in possession of these condoms.?*** * ** ** The scandal comes just a week after the Journal of the Royal Society Interface published a new study indicating increased condom use accounted for the vast majority of the decline in HIV infections in ****South Africa** ** between 2000 and 2008. Epidemiologist Leigh F. Johnson and colleagues at the ****University** of **Cape Town**** found that increased condom use accounted for more than 70 percent of the decline.**** ** ** Mokhalipi said people started coming with complaints about the condoms on Jan. 11 ? three days after the celebrations ended ? prompting his office to run some tests.**** ** ** ?We poured water into the condoms and they were leaking, not just in one place, they were leaking like a sieve,? he said. Looking at them, ?you can see there are small pores? like pinpricks.**** ** ** He said the health department had distributed a new batch of condoms last week, which did not leak under the water test.**** ** ** Health department spokesman Mbalula said pouring water into a condom and applying pressure was not a proper test, though Mokhalipi denied applying pressure.**** ** ** Mbalula said his department recalled the contraceptives to conduct scientific tests. He did not know when results would be available.**** ** ** An organization that has a lot of experience with condoms, the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, said many of the 10,000 to 15,000 prostitutes they work with often complain about the free government condoms. The Taskforce said they instead use a brand provided by an international charity.**** ** ** ?The CHOICE condoms that the government is distributing are very unsatisfactory and we have a lot of complaints about condoms breaking,? said Maria Stacey, SWEAT?s outreach and development manager.**** ** ** ****South Africa****?s government sources its condoms from several companies and rebrands them with its colorful CHOICE packaging, in bright blue, red, yellow and green.**** ** ** Mbalula noted that all the condoms distributed in ****Bloemfontein**** were stamped to indicate that they were in batches that had been quality tested by the Bureau of Standards. Bureau spokeswoman Verna Schutte would only confirm that they were investigating the condoms.**** ** ** Neither she nor the health spokesman could say which country or company had manufactured the condoms.**** Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS WEB.SITE* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Stopping new HIV infections among children a key priority for new OAFLA chair **** UNAIDS**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Speaking at the 11th General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on 30 January, Madame Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of Namibia, identified the prevention of new HIV infections among children as a key objective for her new term as President of OAFLA.*** * ** ** Madame Pohamba noted that in most African countries, lack of male involvement in sexual and reproductive health programmes is a challenge. She urged her fellow First Ladies to launch a continent-wide campaign to encourage the participation of male partners in efforts to stop new HIV infections in children.**** ** ** ?Let us conduct this campaign under the theme, An HIV-free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today,? said the Namibian First Lady. ?I believe that zero HIV infections among new born babies is an achievable goal,? she added.**** ** ** Mrs Ban Soon-taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary-General, highlighted in her remarks the growing momentum and support for the goal of an HIV-free generation. ?Around the world, in developing and developed countries, in the North and in the South, in the streets of communities and the halls of governments, people know that no child should be born with HIV,? said Mrs Ban.**** ** ** According to the latest data from UNAIDS, WHO and UNICEF, there has been considerable progress over the past decade in reducing new HIV infections among children in sub-Saharan **Africa**. An estimated 350 000 children were newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan **Africa** in 2010 compared to about 500 000 children in 2001?a 30% reduction. An estimated 230 000 children died from AIDS-related causes in 2010, down from about 320 000 in 2005.**** ** ** In his keynote address at the OAFLA General Assembly, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidib? applauded the First Ladies for their collective action in the HIV response across the continent. He said that through the strong leadership and advocacy of OAFLA members, 12 of 22 high burden countries in **Africa** had launched accelerated national plans to stop HIV transmission from mother to child. ?The results of your efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of women, youth and children across **Africa**,? said Mr Sidib?.**** ** ** Expressing concern over **Africa**?s dependency on external aid, the UNAIDS Executive Director requested the support of OAFLA members in mobilizing funding from local sources for HIV prevention, treatment and care. ?Working with leaders of your countries, we need to focus all efforts on the issue of sustainable funding for the AIDS response. We must advocate for new partnerships with the private sector,? said Mr Sidib?.**** ** ** According to a new UNAIDS issues brief ? ?AIDS dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions??an estimated two-thirds of AIDS expenditures in **Africa* * come from international funding sources. The vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in **Africa** are imported from generic manufacturers.**** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/b6b53f24/attachment-0004.html From creata at hmu.edu.vn Wed Feb 1 03:37:11 2012 From: creata at hmu.edu.vn (=?UTF-8?B?SElWL0FJRFMgVFQgTkMgJiDEkFQ=?=) Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:37:11 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] =?utf-8?b?VGjGsCBt4budaSB0aGFtIGdpYSBraMOzYSBo4buN?= =?utf-8?b?YzogIlRp4bq/cCBj4bqtbiBuZ2hpw6puIGPhu6l1IMSR4buLbmggdMOt?= =?utf-8?b?bmggduG7gSBISVYvQUlEUyI=?= Message-ID: K?nh m?i tham d? kh?a h?c Trung t?m nghi?n c?u v? ??o t?o HIV/AIDS, ??i h?c Y H? N?i k?t h?p v?i Vi?n Gia ??nh v? Gi?i v? ??i h?c Columbia (Hoa K?) t? ch?c kh?a h?c: *"Ti?p c?n nghi?n c?u ??nh t?nh v? HIV/AIDS"* - Th?i gian: *30/3 - 08/4/2012* - ??a ?i?m: *H? N?i.* Chi ti?t v? m?c ti?u kh?a h?c, ti?u ch? ch?n h?c vi?n v? ch??ng tr?nh h?c, c?c anh/ch? xem trong file ??nh k?m. H?n cu?i ?? nh?n h? s? ??ng k? l? tr??c *17 gi?, 29/02/2012.* *H? s? ??ng k? v? th?c m?c anh/ch? g?i theo ??a ch? email: creata at hmu.edu.vn * R?t mong anh/ch? chuy?n ti?p email n?y t?i b?n b? v? ??ng nghi?p c?a m?nh. Xin ch?n th?nh c?m ?n! Thay m?t ban t? ch?c kh?a h?c. An Thanh Ly * ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * *Center for Research and Training on HIV/AIDS - CREATA* * * Add: Room 522, Block A1, Hanoi Medical University, No 1 Ton That Tung, Dong Da Dist. Hanoi, Vietnam Office Phone: +84 4 357 41 596 Email: creata at hmu.edu.vn -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0004.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Application form.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 711118 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0004.bin -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Annoucement.doc Type: application/msword Size: 741888 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120201/70876330/attachment-0004.doc From nthuan at vn.rti.org Thu Feb 2 03:58:43 2012 From: nthuan at vn.rti.org (Thuan Nguyen) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:58:43 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Jobs at RTI Message-ID: <005101cce15e$f78b78f0$e6a26ad0$@vn.rti.org> Dear all, This is the advertisement. RTI is looking for Vietnam Nationals to fill in the following positions 1. Finance and Admin Manager- Hanoi Responsibilities include managing all financial and administrative aspects of the project and ensure compliance with RTI, USG and Vietnamese financial and accounting policies and procedures. Applicants must have at least 6-8 years' experience working in finance and administration for USAID-funded projects including prior experience overseeing finance, grants, and administration activities and personnel; University Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field required. 2. Grant officer- Ho Chi Minh City Responsibilities include overseeing grants management process & subcontracts for local organizations, including grant compliance with USAID regulations, oversight of funding obligations, administrative management, grant applications and selection processes, development of grants manuals, eligibility requirements, and technical review committees. Applicants must have University Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field and at least 3 years' experience (or Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of relevant experience) in financial and administrative management for USAID-funded projects; proven track record of overseeing effective grants/subcontracts management to achieve project objectives is required. 3. Finance & Administration Assistant - Ho Chi Minh City Responsibilities include assistance the office and project operation in southern provinces and report to the Office Manager in Hanoi. Applicants must have at least university degree or equivalent and 2 years of experience managing accounting files for a donor-funded project. Qualified applicants should submit a resume and an expression of interest indicating the position applied for. All applications and enquires for job descriptions must be in English and sent by email to nthuan at vn.rti.org. The deadline for applications is Feb 13 2012 . Only short listed applicants will be contacted. For detailed job description, please write email to anhongnhung at yahoo.com Please visit our website at www.rti.org/globalhealth for more information on our work in global health -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/70fb665e/attachment-0004.html From Mai.VU at unodc.org Thu Feb 2 06:40:18 2012 From: Mai.VU at unodc.org (Mai VU) Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:40:18 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fw: UNODC consultancy announcement: Consultants for PAF project in Dien Bien Message-ID: FYI and circulation! ________________________________ Vu Le Mai (Ms.) Programme Assistant (Finance & Administration) HIV Programme United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: (+84-4) 3938.8437 Ext. 24 Fax: (+84-4) 3822.0854/38224931 Mobile: (+84)912.508.917 Email: mai.vu at unodc.org ________________________________ ----- Forwarded by Mai VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO on 02/02/2012 01:37 PM ----- FO Vietnam/UNODC-VN/ VIENNA/UNO To Sent by: Nguyen registry.vn at undp.org, Anh unido at un.org.vn, TRA/UNODC-VN/VIEN unfpa-fo at unfpa.org.vn, NA/UNO FAO-VNM at fao.org, vuanhson at hotmail.com, hanoi.registry at unicef.org, Thursday, 2 unaidsvietnam at unaids.org.vn, February 2012 who at vtn.wpro.who.int, 13:25 registry at unesco.org.vn, hanoi at ilohn.org.vn, vnguyen at imf.org, adbvrm at adb.org, nguyen.quang at undp.org, hanoi at iom.int, huyen.nguyen at unifem.org cc Zhuldyz AKISHEVA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Nguyen Tuong DUNG/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Christopher BATT/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Roger BRITTON/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Nguyen Anh TRA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Duong Hai NHU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thanh HUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Phuong LIEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Mai VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Daria HAGEMANN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Mai PHUONG/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Dieu HUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thanh TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Van TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Long NGUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Kodo HAMADOU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Ha TA/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Hong HAI/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Hai LE/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Phuong NGUYEN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Van DO/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Thu VU/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Ha LE/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Trang TRAN/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV, Maximilian POTTLER/UNODC-VN/VIENNA/UNO at UNOV Subject UNODC consultancy announcement: Consultants for PAF project in Dien Bien Message from UNODC Viet Nam Dear colleagues and friends, For your information, the advertisement for the following national consultants has been posted on UN Viet Nam website: National consultants to conduct studies on existing current social protection provision for PLHA in Dien Bien province and to document successful stigma and discrimination reduction initiatives. ? Contract type: Individual Contract ? Submission deadline: 9 February 2012 Attached are the TOR and Vacancy announcement. You can also visit?the job site http://www.un.org.vn/en/un-jobs.html for details of Terms of Reference and application procedures. (See attached file: TOR National consulant - PAF.pdf)(See attached file: Annoucement. mapping consultant.doc) We would appreciate your help in circulating the vacancy announcement to possible applicants. ?Thank you for your kind attention. ?UNODC Vietnam Country Office -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0004.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: Annoucement. mapping consultant.doc Type: application/msword Size: 608256 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120202/a6f3e8fc/attachment-0004.doc From hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com Fri Feb 3 02:19:44 2012 From: hivtwg.moderator at gmail.com (HIV-TWG Moderator) Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:19:44 +0700 Subject: [hivaids-twg] Fwd: Today's News (2012.02.02ex) In-Reply-To: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103790@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> References: <5C59F89A4AB30C4FB23C2A916FA702E203103790@GE-MAILHQ-01.global.unaids.org> Message-ID: Please find attached the following AIDS-related articles compiled by UNAIDS* ***** ** ** ** ** *UNAIDS* 1. The Standard, ****Kenya** - UN wants **Africa** to manufacture its own ARVs**** ** ** *****AFRICA****** AND MIDDLE EAST * 1. **Angola** Press - **Angola**, sub-Saharan **Africa** urged to reduce HIV cases **** 2. ****Zambia**** Daily - NGO hails State?s pledge to AIDS patients **** 3. ****Informant?**, **Namibia**** - Legalize prostitution to combat AIDS: ?Mama Africa? **** 4. ****Liberia**** Observer - The Burden of Care on An HIV Mother **** ** ** *****ASIA****** AND PACIFIC* 1. Dawn, ****Pakistan**** - ?We know it?s wrong, but we don?t want to quit?* *** 2. Phuket News - Phuket to launch anti-AIDS campaign on Valentine's Day **** 3. **New Zealand** - One-fifth of gay ****Auckland**** men with HIV unaware they are infected **** ** ** *****EUROPE******* 1. The Guardian - What does the second decade hold for the Global Fund? **** 2. The Guardian - GSK's Andrew Witty on the future of pharma collaboration to help poor countries **** 3. Global Voices - ****Ukraine****: Online Interactive Map Helps Fight HIV** ** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* 1. El Imparcial, Mexico - Realizan pruebas de sida y s?filis de manera gratuita **** 2. Diario del Ot?n, Colombia - Sida afecta a menores de edad**** 3. ABC Digital, Paraguay - Importancia de los controles prenatales **** ** ** *****NORTH AMERICA******* 1. New York Times - Why the Global Fund Matters (OpEd) **** ** ** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** *UNAIDS* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** UN wants **Africa** to manufacture its own ARVs **** The Standard, ****Kenya******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** By Mangoa Mosota**** ** ** The UN has warned against the high dependency by African countries on external sources for HIV and Aids funding.**** ** ** The organisation?s agency mandated to tackle the disease, UNAids, described the continent?s over-reliance on donor aid as unsustainable.**** ** ** "African governments invest less on HIV/Aids than expected. For the continent as a whole, about five per cent of health budgets are allocated to the scourge, despite its causing a median of more than seven per cent of the overall burden of disease across countries," stated part of a brief posted on the agency?s website early this week.**** ** ** The brief, titled Aids Dependency Crisis: Sourcing African Solutions, reveals that two-thirds of all HIV and Aids expenditure in Africa comes from external sources.**** ** ** International support for the disease in the continent dropped by 13 per cent between 2009 and 2010 from $8.7 billion to $7.6 billion (Sh667 billion to Sh583 billion).**** ** ** The cut in funding, the first time in its ten-year history, was attributed to the global economic crisis. About Sh900 billion will be needed annually by 2015 to prevent new HIV infections and scale up treatment in Africa. Additionally, Sh307 billion more than the current expenditure is needed to effectively fight the disease.**** ** ** The agency also noted that procurement of anti-retroviral drugs was highly dependent on external funding. In 27 countries for which accurate data was available, 84 per cent of expenditure for ARV therapy originated from international sources.**** ** ** Disease burden**** In Kenya, where it is estimated that 1.5 million people are infected with HIV, development partners support 85 per cent of the HIV budget. Over 400,000 people are receiving ARVs while another 600,000 require the drugs but cannot access them.**** ** ** Among the measures mooted by UNAids to help reduce over-dependence on donor support is development of a common drug regulatory authority that would ensure access to quality, life-saving medicines.**** ** ** "Investing in local manufacturing and simplifying market access to drugs across the continent will boost the economy, reduce costs and ultimately save lives and money," reads part of the brief.**** ** ** Late last year, a Kenyan pharmaceutical company was given the go-ahead by the World Health Organisation to start producing ARV drugs ? a move that would lead to huge savings for the Government?s growing treatment programme. **** ** ** ===========================**** ** ** ***AFRICA**** AND MIDDLE EAST* ** ** ===========================**** ** ** **Angola**, sub-Saharan **Africa** urged to reduce HIV cases **** ****Angola**** Press**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Luanda - The Angolan Health Vice-minister, Evelize Frestas, defended on Wednesday in Luanda the need for Angola and sub-Saharan to continue making efforts to reduce the cases of HIV/AIDS infections, and thus slow down the death rate caused by this pandemic disease.**** **** Evelize Frestas said so during a workshop on the initiative to eliminate the new HIV infections in children.**** **** According to her, the vision by the Health Ministry aims to achieve zero new infections, combat discrimination and prevent deaths caused by this disease, thus ensuring the control and reduction of the infection within several communities.**** **** The official defended the need of focusing on prevention of early pregnancies, through greater access of teenagers to information and education campaign, such as the access to the services linked to family planning, HIV/AIDS voluntary testing and counselling.**** **** However, the minister called for the need of reviewing and updating the strategy to prevent the disease countrywide.**** **** According to Evelize Frestas, this goal requires a deep involvement of the National Health Service throughout the country, reason why all provincial health departments are committed to holding workshops.**** **** The vice minister stated that the strategic plan to combat AIDS fits all interventions in this area, whose the main challenge of the workshop is to draft the national plan for elimination of the new HIV infections in children by 2015.**** ** ** *2* NGO hails State?s pledge to AIDS patients **** ****Zambia**** Daily**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** By NIZA NAMWINGA**** ** ** THE Treatment, Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) has commended Government for expressing willingness to address challenges that may arise as a result of the one year suspension of the global fund.**** ** ** TALC national coordinator Felix Mwanza said his organisation is pleased with Government?s quick response to the challenge following the suspension of the global fund for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. **** ** ** ?We are happy that Government through the Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde has pledged to source funds for HIV, TB and malaria treatment in the country,? Mr Mwanza said. **** ** ** Mr Mwanza also said there is need for Government to assist hospices and health facilities such as Kara Clinic with funds for the HIV and AIDS response because the non availability of funds has affected their service delivery. **** ** ** He said due to the suspension of the global fund, Kara Clinic has shut down its centres in Kabwe, Chilanga and Choma.**** He said the Ministry of Health should quickly source funds to revamp operations of the clinic.**** Mr Mwanza said Zambia has recently seen a reduction in the HIV and AIDS prevalence rate as infections have gone down because patients were receiving treatment from clinics like Kara.**** ** ** He said the closure of Kara Clinic and others dealing with HIV and AIDS related illnesses may result in the recurrence of high infection levels. * *** Mr Mwanza said Government should quickly look into the plight of people living with HIV and AIDS and ensure that they easily access treatment even in the absence of the global fund. **** ** ** He appealed to the Ministry of Health to re-open all health facilities offering antiretroviral therapy that have been closed and render ensure that those threatened with closures are not closed but continue providing treatment to people living with HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** *3* Legalize prostitution to combat AIDS: ?Mama Africa? **** ****Informant?**, **Namibia******** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by Clemans Miyanicwe **** ** ** The Director of Namibia?s largest sex-workers? organization, Rights not Rescue, has called upon the government to decriminalize prostitution as an important step in the fight against HIV and AIDS.**** ** ** Nicodemus Aochumub, better known as ?Mama Africa?, told Informant?: **** ** ** ?Government should decriminalize sex-work to make it easier for the industry to get access to universal health care and to enable them to lay charges with the police without the fear of being arrested. Discriminating against prostitutes will inevitably increase the HIV rate because they are helplessly exposed to abuse, even by police. We must unite in the fight against AIDS.? Mama Africa, who has been in the industry for 32 years, knows of numerous instances where police humiliated and maltreated prostitutes.**** ** ** ?How can we fight this deadly disease when law-enforcement officers take away condoms from the girls (prostitutes)? They throw them away and tell us we don?t deserve to use condoms. Some police officers force us into sex, otherwise we will end up in jail,? the Director revealed.**** ** ** Prostitutes are regularly cracked down on by law-enforcers under the Combating of Immoral Practices Act. ?This act is an apartheid law and must be abolished in an independent country. We (prostitutes) are not free even 21 years after independence. Prostitution is work and feeds many families,? emphasized Mama Africa.**** Rights not Rescue has more than 1,000 members in all 13 regions of the country. The organization educates prostitutes on HIV and AIDS and also hands out condoms. **** ** ** ?We are trying our best to protect them and their health. One thing is for sure: Decriminalizing prostitution would make a great deal in the fight against this disease,? Mama Africa is convinced. **** ?We (prostitutes) will throw our support behind those few more realistic and open-minded people like Kazenambo Kazenambo, whose only crime is to respect human rights,? he added. **** ** ** The Youth Minister came under fire from high ranking SWAPO politicians for speaking out in favour of the legalization of prostitution. According to Mama Africa, many of their clients are high-ranking and influential members of society, yet Namibian society lives in denial and turns a blind eye one the plight of sex workers.**** HIV infection among sex-workers has declined significantly in countries where prostitution is legalised. Prostitutes in Germany, for instance, are registered with the legal and health authorities, are required to undergo regular medical checks and pay tax.**** (Clemans Miyanicwe is a community reporter)**** ** ** *5* The Burden of Care on An HIV Mother **** ****Liberia**** Observer**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by by Fatoumata Fofana**** ** ** Scores of HIV-infected women who are in care at various health facilities in Liberia have called for a need to create an avenue for them to be self-employed. These women ? predominantly single moms ? have blamed stigma and discrimination for their limited or no access to livelihoods. ?In the end, we turned into beggars because of our status,? they have said. **** ** ** During a tour of three key health centers in the country last week by a high level delegation from UNITAID, the women did not mince their words emphasizing a need for them to be empowered economically. UNITAID is an international drug purchasing facility hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, who also serves as United Nations Under Secretary General for Innovative Financing, chairs it.**** ** ** A 25-year-old HIV-positive mother in care at a health facility in Monrovia told her story in these words: ?Some of my friends who have HIV are feeling ashamed to come to the hospital for medicines. For me, I make it a duty to come here every day to get my medicines, rice, beans, fish, oil, cubes.**** ** ** ?But that is not enough. My husband and I separated some years ago. He, too, is positive but our four children are negative. So, this left me with the burden to take care of the children on my own. The children need clothes, medicines and need to go to school. This hospital is not providing all of that for me. I only get food and my own medicines from here.?**** ** ** As a result, Helena resorted to doing laundry for various households in her neighborhood, in order to make the extra cash to meet other needs. But the stress in this activity is what is physically, psychologically and emotionally draining for this young woman. The above quote only reemphasizes the fact that the physical and psychological burden of HIV/AIDS falls heavily on women. This also has the propensity to persistently undermine the resilience of these positive women to the consequences of HIV/AIDS, and make adherence to treatment especially difficult.**** ** ** Helena explained that in carrying out her laundry duties, she first goes around the neighborhood to fetch eight buckets of water by hand before beginning to wash the clothes, bed sheets and other fabrics. She does this per household and is able to serve at least two homes per day.**** ** ** This young woman, like many HIV-positive mothers in Liberia, is compelled to cope with life this way. Regardless of their own ill health, they still need to care for and manage their individual households.**** ** ** This condition is, however, not unique to Helena. Beatrice is another HIV positive mother faced with harsh economic conditions. This 38-year-old mother of three children is one of the volunteers helping to retain her fellow HIV positive mothers in care at a local health facility in Monrovia. Although Beatrice doesn't seem deterred by her positive status, she is being heavily demoralized by her limited access to income-generation. All she desires is to have some funds to begin her own petty business in her neighborhood.**** ** ** ?I have been coming to this clinic to help to encourage my sisters and friends to remain in care. Some of us are very ashamed to come here. Others are rather afraid to come for treatment because there are fingers being pointed at them everyday. So, for them, they always want to remain in hiding. But those of us who have the courage to put the stigma and discrimination behind us also have to face another aspect of life and that has to do with being able to make ?small thing? (meager income) to feed our families and send our children to school,? she explained.**** ** ** Seybah is the president of HIV patients at a health center in Bong County. Though she acknowledged that HIV patients at that facility were being properly taken care of, she was quick to outline what she described as their urgent needs in these words: ?We get the drugs and we are responding to treatment. But the majority of us here are single mothers. We need money to do business.**** ** ** ?We need to educate our children ? the only gift we can give to them. We, ourselves, need to go back to school. Some of us are high school dropouts. We want our counselors, doctors to be properly trained to work with better. The ones here are not encouraging us. As a result, there are fingers being pointed at us in the communities. We need shelter because we are staying with family members who are discriminating against us.?**** ** ** But Lovetta Warner, another HIV positive mother, sees it all differently. In her testimony, she explained: ?I am the former president of the Liberian Women Empowerment Network (LIWEN). I was diagnosed positive in 2002. I am 57. I don't live with HIV. HIV lives with me. I control HIV. To cope with HIV is to sustain yourself, do something with your hands to be able to feed yourself. Like me, I have worked with my hands, sent my crouches abroad and through that, I have been able to build a house for myself.**** ** ** ?I have my own home. Being HIV positive is not the end of the world. It is not a death sentence. To hell with stigma and discrimination if I can sustain myself. Nobody can really know how they get infected with this virus. I was massively raped during the war. I have a daughter that I had before I got diagnosed. But she's negative. I have a friend to whom I will soon be getting married. He's negative. We manage it beautifully. We use condom and we have beautiful sex. But I am not a lover of female condoms. I rather he use it. He loves me a whole lot.?**** ** ** Not every HIV positive mother might be as lucky as Lovetta to withstand the test of time. The fact that she has the support of her significant other keeps her emotionally strong and going. But not in the case of Helena who was left to fend for herself and her four children. Definitely not in the case of Dorcas Johnson, a widow, left to fend for eight children and herself.**** ** ** Certainly without resources, economic empowerment, these women are vulnerable to abuses in every imaginable way. On the other side of the coin, there is also stigma and discrimination against in their communities of residence. As stated above by Seybah, those HIV mothers who cannot afford to rent their own dwelling places are compelled to endure constant stigma and discrimination from close relatives and other family members with whom these positive mothers reside. This degree of insecurity ? the threat of homelessness and destitution ? leaves women with few options. An ultimate survival strategy for many HIV positive women, especially younger ones, can be to turn to men for sex in order to buy school clothes or food for their children.**** ** ** Difficulties In Diagnosing Infants for HIV**** Meanwhile, health workers throughout the week reminded the visiting UNITAID delegation of the need to have a Polymers Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic machine in Liberia. The PCR diagnostic machine is used to diagnose infants infected with HIV. Also, Liberian medical practitioners made a call for more easy-to-use Cd4 count machines at different health centers around the country for easy assessment of HIV immunological status to the UNITAID delegation. Cd4 or Viral Load is another machine that looks at the number of virus in the blood, it is a complicated machine that is very expensive to run and is used to see if patients are failing their treatment. Many African patients still need to have access to this, and the test is not covered by the health service (Kenya and Cameroon for example).**** ** ** Detecting HIV in infants remains a major challenge in Liberia. Children born to HIV infected mothers cannot be diagnosed in the same way as older children and adults dues to the mothers' antibodies in the blood. As a result, for early infant diagnosis in this contemporary context, blood samples collected by the various health facilities across the country are shipped through the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), to South Africa for testing. Unfortunately it takes between two to three months for the results to be received. This extensive time lapse places the patients with the disease, especially infants where it is important to start treatment as early as possible, at further risk of a worsened situation or even death. PCR testing requires a good laboratory set up, expensive diagnosis machines and good access to reagents.**** ** ** With funds raised from a small tax on plane tickets in a handful of countries, including France along with regular contributions from other countries, UNITAID has been able to raise 2.5 billion of dollars to finance health commodities for the treatment of HIV TB and malaria. The organization supports public health outcomes in resource-limited settings, post-war settings and emerging economies. Tens of millions more have been spent in other countries with horrible outcomes, especially in terms of governance. Since 2007, UNITAID has operated in Liberia through UNICEF, WHO, the Clinton Foundation and the Global Fund to help improve the health needs of Liberians living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.**** ** ** *In a brief interview with the Daily Observer, UNITAID Chair Douste-Blazy disclosed that the next step for his organization in Liberia would be to invest in projects to improve diagnostics. ?We can better treat a patient if we can know how many viruses there are in the blood,? he said.* ** ** *6* HIV tests not mandatory on entry for any nationality? **** ****Jordan**** Times**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** by Khetam Malkawi**** ** ** AMMAN ? Libyans entering the country will not have to undergo mandatory HIV/AIDS testing as ?we cannot make a distinction between holders of different nationalities in health policies?, a Ministry of Health official said on Wednesday.**** ** ** Mohammad Abdallat, director of the ministry?s communicable diseases control (CDC) department, said citizens of various countries entering the Kingdom are treated in accordance with the same policy and undergo screening for communicable diseases only ?if they need a work permit or plan to undergo a surgical procedure?.**** ** ** Since the beginning of the year, the ministry has registered nine HIV/AIDS cases, 10 hepatitis B and six hepatitis C cases among non-Jordanians, he noted.**** ** ** ?Jordan is a medical hub for the countries of the region, and the number of patients seeking treatment in local hospitals is on the rise due to the unrest in some states,? Abdallat explained.**** ** ** He noted that the number of HIV and hepatitis cases discovered so far is not high compared to the influx of patients into the country.**** ** ** Currently there are more than 15,000 Libyans in the country?s hospitals and any patient diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will be deported, according to the health ministry official.**** ** ** ?We send them back to receive treatment in their country because of the high cost of medication, which amounts to JD400 a month,? he explained.**** ** ** The ministry has sent a circular to all hospitals requesting them to follow infection control measures and to inform the CDC when they discover any HIV or hepatitis case among patients, according to Abdallat.**** ** ** Although he was reluctant to comment on the number of HIV/AIDS cases detected among Libyan patients, a ministry source told The Jordan Times last week that five cases had been discovered among Libyan nationals, who were subsequently deported.**** ** ** Meanwhile, Awni Bashir, president of the Private Hospitals Association said the number of Libyan patients is on the rise and still not regulated.**** ** ** Noting that hundreds of Libyans arrive in Amman on a daily basis, he added that they come to the Kingdom for different medical purposes including plastic surgery and dental procedures.**** ** ** =======================**** ** ** ***ASIA**** AND PACIFIC* ** ** =======================**** ** ** ?We know it?s wrong, but we don?t want to quit?**** Dawn, ****Pakistan******** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Faiza Mirza**** ** ** Raju, a 25-year-old boy from Quetta, migrated to Karachi to look for sustainable livelihood and better income prospects. Just like several other ?immigrants?, he picks garbage from various parts of Karachi. His life, however, took a devastating turn when he realised that the income prospects in Karachi are as bleak as in Quetta. Raju, who thought it wise to seek refuge in drugs, started injecting himself with heroin to drown his sorrows. **** ** ** Raju?s unidentified partner in crime was in another zone whilst injecting himself with a good dose of heroin.**** ** ** ?We know it is wrong but we do not want to quit. We use clean syringes and do not exchange them because we know it can cause Aids,? said Raju, rather incoherently, during one of his lucid moments.**** ** ** With a majority of its population living under the lower-income strata, Pakistan finds itself among the countries with an increasing number of HIV patients. Approximately 70 per cent of the total population resides in the rural areas, since agriculture remains the main source of income for many. Migratory practises and poverty have given rise to a number of diseases including Hepatitis and HIV/Aids.**** ** ** Over the last few years, HIV Aids cases have drastically increased in Pakistan, primarily amongst the injecting drug users (IDUs). Sindh and Punjab are the most affected regions because of their respective over-populated structure.**** ** ** Concentrated epidemic**** According to Dr Asma Nasim of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT) ? an expert in the area of infectious diseases ? Aids has become a ?concentrated epidemic? in Pakistan, with more than five per cent of the most-at-risk population (MARP) being infected. MARP includes all the commercial sex workers, including transvestites, IDUs and people who indulge in sexual activities with commercial sex workers. The spouses of MARPs are also under a massive threat of getting infected.**** ** ** ?Unofficial figures released by various authorities show that HIV/Aids has affected 27 per cent of the IDUS in Pakistan, as opposed to 16 per cent in the last year, which is alarmingly high. Considering the ratio of increase, it will be wise to say that the general population of Pakistan is also at risk of getting infected? Asma told Dawn.com.**** ** ** Lack of awareness, remains one of the most critical issues which, has played a pivotal role in spreading HIV/Aids.**** ** ** ?Most of the drug addicts are not unaware that the syringe being exchanged and used by 10 junkies, can cause HIV/Aids. The rest are not exactly bothered about the repercussions,? she added.**** ** ** Aids control campaigns**** Various not-for-profit and governmental organisations are trying to create awareness and curtail the spread of the disease. UNAids, Sindh Aids Control Programme and National Aids Control Programme are a few names that top the list.**** ** ** The doctors at SIUT pick IDUs and bring them to the hospital where they are tested for HIV/Aids.**** ** ** ?A CB4 cell-count test is conducted on each one of them and if the cut-off is less than 350, the IDUs are provided with a combination of zidovudine, lamivudine and nevaripine, amongst other drugs,? Asma said, adding that ?HIV/Aids patients are required to take these medicines for life?**** ** ** Success of the campaign relies on the detoxification of the addict and his/her conviction to stay away from unsafe practises which might transmit the disease.**** ** ** Rehabilitation and awareness are key to recovery, according to Dr Muhammad Zakria Kandhro ? President of Al-Nijat Welfare society ? an organisation dedicated to creating awareness about the disease. ?It is very important to detoxify the IDUs and get them used to the concept of taking medicines. They are provided with mock drugs and rehabilitated for three to six months.?**** ** ** Keeping the IDUs off the drugs can be very tricky, according to Kathleen Alexander, who is the Project Manager at the House of Hope. This, she said, is due to a low success rate, which can even come down to five per cent. Most of the IDUs relapse due to social alienation, poverty and domestic issues.**** ** ** The stigma **** Female carriers have the capacity to spread the infection at a rapid rate as the ratio of female sex workers is higher than male and transvestite sex workers in Pakistan. Female patients have a low registration rate as they are more stigmatised, due to their gender and societal norms.**** ** ** Female IDUs also live in the oblivion because the society is willing to accept a male addict but females are forbidden to reveal their fondness for ?acquired tastes.?**** ** ** ?The ratio of registered male population is higher than the female population. We have launched various awareness campaigns, which have helped bring the figures down and our Hyderabad centre is housing 250 female patients. Karachi also has a database of 50-55 female patients,? Kandhro said.**** ** ** Moreover, HIV-positive patients are also stigmatised for the ?epidemic? that they carry and are not admitted in the renowned state-owned hospitals.* *** ** ** An IDU perspective**** Ilahi Bux, a rehabilitated drug addict, is a 25-year-old boy who fell into the vicious trap of heroin. According to him poverty, domestic problems and many other economic factors enticed him to become an addict. However, he blatantly claims that back then we were not aware of the hazards of exchanging the same syringe.**** ** ** Nadeem John, another rehabilitated addict, said, ?I stopped taking heroin a year ago however was an addict for over 15 years. I have committed crimes and done every possible thing to satisfy my ?cravings?. We did not really care about HIV/Aids back then but now we do because government and organisations are putting in a lot of effort to highlight the issue.?**** ** ** Bleak future**** Global recessionary pressures and Pakistan?s stance on fight on terrorism, coupled with various other factors, have impacted the amount of donations that the international agencies previously granted Pakistan.**** ** ** ?Previously we were able to accommodate more IDUs, launch massive awareness drives and reach out to the general population because we had abundant funds. However, now we can only manage to induct 15 IDUs and HIV/Aids patients because the funding is almost nonexistent? said Alexander.**** ** ** Alexander is very pessimistic about the future of rehabilitated IDUs in Pakistan as many of the projects are closing down in the country.**** ** ** *2* Phuket to launch anti-AIDS campaign on Valentine's Day **** Phuket News**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Atchaa Khamlo and S. Fein**** ** ** PHUKET: Public health officials will launch a ?Getting to Zero AIDS? campaign on Valentine's Day to combat HIV/AIDS in Phuket, which has the highest incidence of HIV infection in Thailand, according to government statistics.**** ** ** The campaign will kick-off with a festival on February 14 at Phuket Rajabhat University, said Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) chief Sak Tanchaikul.**** ** ** There will be AIDS prevention exhibits, a student stage performance about high-risk behavior, and a debate and lecture by medical experts, said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** To draw in as many people as possible, famous singers Bew Kalayanee and Jeab Benjaporn are slated to perform at the event.**** ** ** ?The fact that Phuket has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS of any province in Thailand is a concern for the tourism industry. The PPHO will begin the ?Getting to Zero AIDS? project as part of the United Nations joint HIV/AIDS program, which aims to achieve three goals: zero new infections, zero deaths and zero stigma and discrimination,? said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** According to PPHO statistics from 1989 to December last year, there have been 7,415 HIV/AIDS patients treated in Phuket. Of these, 1,945 have died.** ** ** ** Last year 99 new cases were identified in Phuket and nine patients died.**** ** ** Phuket's huge migrant population is the reason Phuket gets the dubious distinction of being Thailand's HIV/AIDS leader.**** ** ** This is because infection rates are based on reported cases divided by the official population, as determined by the number of people registered in the province.**** ** ** Phuket's registered population is about 330,000, though official estimates have put the actual population at twice that figure.**** ** ** The PPHO?s plan is to reduce the amount of new HIV infections by about 66 per cent this year. It also hopes to reduce to less than two per cent the number of HIV-infected newborns, he said.**** ** ** The PPHO hopes to achieve its second goal of halving the annual number HIV/AIDS deaths by 2016. Providing equal medical treatment for all HIV/AIDS patients will be the key to reaching this goal, he said.**** ** ** The PPHO also hopes to introduce laws and policies that will stop discrimination against HIV/AIDS infected people in the work place by 2016, said PPHO Chief Sak.**** ** ** *4* One-fifth of gay ****Auckland**** men with HIV unaware they are infected *** * ****New Zealand**** Herald**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** A fifth of gay and bisexual Auckland men with HIV are unaware they are infected, new research has found.**** ** ** The Otago University study is the first community-based biological measure of HIV to estimate of the rate of undiagnosed and overall HIV infection among gay and bisexual Auckland men.**** ** ** The research suggests 6.5 per cent of gay and bisexual Auckland men have HIV, with 21 per cent of those unaware they are infected.**** ** ** The finding comes after the highest number of new HIV diagnoses was recorded among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand in 2010.**** ** ** Lead investigator Peter Saxton, of Otago University's department of preventive and social medicine, said undiagnosed HIV infection rates must be taken seriously if the virus was to be better controlled.**** ** ** "A person with undiagnosed HIV cannot tell someone they're infected and might not initiate safe sex. The practical reality of this is that everyone, especially gay men, needs to become better educated, supported and proficient at safe sex to control HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,"**** ** ** The study, carried out in February last year, recruited 1049 gay and bisexual men from community settings.**** ** ** Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire and provided an anonymous saliva specimen, which could be linked together by a unique code.**** ** ** The researchers compared respondents' self-reported HIV test history with their saliva result to find 1.3 per cent of HIV positive men did not know they were infected.**** ** ** Most believed they did not have HIV, and many had previously tested for HIV. **** ** ** The overall HIV infection rate was the same for European and Maori participants, but non-European respondents were less likely to be aware they had HIV.**** ** ** Younger infected gay men also appeared to be less likely to be aware of their infection.**** ** ** Dr Saxton said while testing was a cornerstone of control and needed to be made more accessible, testing alone was not the answer.**** ** ** "There will always be a lag between infection and diagnosis, and a person is particularly infectious early in the course of HIV infection when partners can be exposed unwittingly. This is why condom use remains key to control of your own and your partner's risk," he said.**** ** ** HIV positive people who remained undiagnosed delayed treatments that could improve their quality of life and life expectancy.**** ** ** "While treatments don't eliminate the HIV virus, they keep it at low levels and also reduce a person's infectiousness to others."**** ** ** The research, carried out by ****Otago** **University****'s AIDS Epidemiology Group, was a collaboration with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.**** ** ** The findings were published in the journal BMC Public Health.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***EUROPE***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** What does the second decade hold for the Global Fund? **** The Guardian**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Annie Kelly**** ** ** At Davos last week, the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria received an unexpected birthday gift from Bill Gates in the form of a $750m "promissory note" to help shore up its faltering finances.**** ** ** In pledging his hefty financial support, Gates effectively rescued the fund's 10-year birthday celebrations. Despite its staggering successes ? including helping put 3.3 million people on Aids treatment, 8.6 million on anti-tuberculosis treatment and providing 230m insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria ? the fund's recent troubles had threatened to overshadow its accomplishments as it prepared to mark a decade as the world's main financier of programmes to fight these three global epidemics.* *** ** ** In recent years the fund has become mired in much-documented struggles with corruption, management breakdowns and a crippling $2bn funding shortfall, all compounded by the swiftness of the global economic downturn and donor fatigue.**** ** ** There are fears that the knock-on decision to suspend the fund's 11th round of funding and not disperse any more money until 2014 will have catastrophic consequences. There are predictions that without continued support countries such as **Zambia** and ****Malawi**** will struggle to keep pace with infection rates and keep people on lifesaving medication, impacting on millions of vulnerable patients.**** ** ** Gate's pledge was a show of faith that provided more than just a much-needed cash boost as he urged donors and the world to keep confidence in the fund's ability to "[get] so much bang for our buck".**** ** ** Restore reputation**** The fund hopes that this, coupled with the departure of its executive director, Michel Kazatchkine, and the commissioning of an independent review that recommended an overhaul of its grant management and financial practices, will help re-establish its reputation as it steps into its second decade.**** ** ** While all of this is clearly good news for the beleaguered fund, some frontline agencies are still reluctant to join in the celebrations.**** ** ** M?decins Sans Fronti?res' (MSF) HIV adviser, Sharonann Lynch, says Gates's cash should be a wake-up call for the fund's new board to "get back to work". "When addressing epidemics, the number one factor is speed ? and this isn't the time to hit the snooze button," she says.**** ** ** "Over the past few years the sense of urgency which once defined the work of the fund has become greatly diminished, and the board basically gave themselves a holiday instead of stepping up and doing their job and ensuring that the funding shortfall was made up. On the one hand, they have a new ambitious strategy for change; and on the other, they have effectively closed for business. And it is this lack of coherence that we find troubling ? and patients will come to find deadly."**** ** ** ** ** On the back of the new injection of funding, MSF is pushing for the fund to hold an emergency donor conference so that affected countries can apply for new grants and expand life-saving treatment this year. It is also urging the fund to become more creative in ensuring that it doesn't get caught on the back foot of funding cuts again.**** ** ** "On top of voluntary funding, we also need predictable mechanisms ? such as the financial transaction tax currently being debated in **Europe** ? with part of funds generated to be dedicated to global health, including the Global Fund," adds Lynch.**** ** ** Sir Richard Feachem, a founding executive of the fund in 2002 and now the director of the Global Health Group at the ****University** of **California* ***, agrees that the fund must become more flexible. "Times have changed since we founded the fund and I think [it] certainly should have been more agile in foreseeing the impact of the global financial crisis on its income and in re-engineering in ways that would allow continued progress in the light of constrained income," he says.**** ** ** Value for money**** Feachem argues that to do this the fund now needs to focus strongly on value for money ? an opportunity he believes has not yet been seized on by the management team as it scrambles to regroup.**** ** ** "Despite the independent review and the raft of recommendations and reforms, there needs to be a very strong move towards a cash on delivery or pay for performance model, which has not happened yet," he says. "Such a model is perfect for the fund, is consistent with its founding principles, would help move the fund away from the problems of corruption, and would improve efficiency enormously by, for example, setting a standard price for each unit of outcome or output."**** ** ** So how else can the fund ensure it regains momentum and moves forward into it's second decade?**** ** ** According to Alvaro Bermejo, executive director of the International HIV/Aids Alliance and current Global Fund board member, the fund can no longer rely on the discourse of panic and emergency.**** ** ** "It's important to understand the context in which the fund was created in 2002, which was very much as an emergency response, something which people tend to forget now," he says. "In this super rapid scale-up, the discourse at the time was that we were in emergency, so of course there was going to be some corruption and some mismanagement, which was right in the start but, as you develop and begin to know your enemy better, this has become insufficient."**** ** ** Bermejo says this has meant that as infection rates have started dropping, the fund's rhetoric has effectively become counter-productive, feeding the perception among some donors that the emergency is over.**** ** ** "Because the Fund didn't adapt its message it worked against the idea that there was still an urgent need for continued and sustained funding," he says. "And this needs to be urgently addressed."**** ** ** Elimination and eradication**** He argues that now the fund needs to look towards the language coming from the ****US**** ? from donors like Bill Gates and politicians such as Hillary Clinton ? calling for elimination and eradication of malaria and Aids within a generation. This, he says, could provide the fuel needed to keep the engine of the fund running over the next decade.**** ** ** "In Europe we're more scared of failure, so we don't like words like eradication, but there is no standing still when it comes to fighting infectious diseases," he says. "The fund has to find ways of reinjecting that urgency and determination back into its work over the next decade even if infection rates continue to decline."**** ** ** Feachem says a "certain complacency" must now be rectified by creative and positive change. If this happens, he believes the fund can even expand it's work to tackle other global health epidemics.**** ** ** "The fund needs to continue to pioneer a model for development finance that is a 21st-century model, and not a 1960s model, as still practised by most institutions. If continuing innovation can guide the development of the Global Fund, then I can see it eventually taking on additional tasks, such as maternal and neonatal health and becoming a real force for long-term change.**** ** ** "However, in the short-term, the main priority must be ensuring that the extraordinary progress in the fight against Aids, TB and malaria achieved in the past 10 years does not get reversed."**** ** ** *3* GSK's Andrew Witty on the future of pharma collaboration to help poor countries **** The Guardian**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** SarahBoseley?s GlobalHealthBlob**** Posted by Sarah Boseley**** ** ** Just before the all-singing, all-dancing launch of the big initiative to control or eliminate 10 neglected diseases ? starring 13 CEOs from Big Pharma, the WHO's director general, Margaret Chan, and Bill Gates ? I grabbed a few words with Sir Andrew Witty, head of GlaxoSmithKline, who co-chaired the negotiations over the past year with Gates.**** ** ** I was keen to know who was responsible for getting 13 CEOs, or as someone described it to me, 13 huge egos, together round the table. Was it Gates? Was it Chan? Was it Witty? Diplomatically, everybody said it was a combination of all of them. So I asked Witty to expand on this new spirit of collaboration among billion-dollar companies that used to fight tooth and nail.**** ** ** Here, in his own words, without further comment from me, is what he said:*** * ** ** ?We basically decided a little over a year ago that the NTDs [neglected tropical diseases] was an area where we could make some impact, get some traction.**** ** ** The WHO 2020 goals gave us a focus to put some hard expectations in place: which diseasses, by when? How are we going to get this done?**** ** ** I've been delighted at the energy we've found in the other companies. It's great to make individual progress, but if we could just get the broader front to move then something much bigger could be achieved and this is it, I think.**** ** ** The biggest achievement over the last year, I think, has been to get some of the companies to really massively increase their commitments, so that everybody is kind of at this at an industrial level, and I hope that what everybody is going to see today is an industry at its best, actually.**** ** ** We saw with that with the intellectual property ? We've now seen 13 companies signed up to Wipo [World intellectual Property Organisation] with something which has built a model around the GSK patent pool, and we've signed up ourselves to that. So actually here we are, two and a half years later, where pretty much all the IP [intellectual property], all the analagous IP to the kind of things we were offering up a couple of years ago, is now available or will be available through Wipo. So I think you are beginning to see a shift in the industry. I think this won't be the end of it.**** ** ** I think this is reinforcing for all the CEOs that there are sensible areas where we can work together for the public good, for society's good. We can still compete like crazy in other areas, but there are areas where we can work sensibly together and, guess what, there are also changes to the business model which allow us to be succesful in areas which have historically been very difficult. So, for example, you might have opening up IP today ? we and others are opening up more compound libraries for more research into difficult disease areas. We can be more flexible in the business model than the industry has been historically. It doesn't mean the industry can't compete but we can do things a bit differently.**** ** ** I think today's a big, big step forward. There will always be more we can do. My prediction is the next discussion will be how do we synchronise better on the ground, what are the logistical challenges on the ground to actually get things done efficiently, what about capacity-building, healthcare workers ? as you know, one of the things we've done is to put 20% of our profits back into capacity-building which is going directly to healthcare workers. I think that will be the next step. In terms of what should this industry be doing preferentially, it should be making available the drugs which nobody else has for people in these countries who suffer from these diseases ? we're doing that today ? and we should be committing ourselves to discover more, better drugs for the future, and we're doing that today and we're collaborating with others to maker it happen quicker.?* *** ** ** *4***** ****Ukraine****: Online Interactive Map Helps Fight HIV**** Global Voices**** 01/02/2012**** ** ** Written by**** Maryna Reshetnyak**** ** ** Ukraine has a high number of HIV infected people. To address this problem private Ukrainian Charity Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS foundation in partnership with the Ukrainian office of Google launched the news social service maps.antiaids.org on December 1, 2011, the World Aids Day. The new service will help Ukrainian Internet users easier and faster to find the sites of HIV testing in their region as well as condom vending machines.**** ** ** The web-site of ANTIAIDS foundation reported that in the framework of the project for the fist time in Ukraine a database 927 sites of HIV testing was created.**** ** ** The interactive map shows not only the address of a particular site but also telephone numbers and the information about business hours. It also lists whether the site is unanimous or a person needs to present the ID. The database includes 173 sites of fast testing where a person can get the results in 15-20 minutes.**** ** ** In addition, the HIV Testing Sites map service contains a FAQ section where a user can find all the information necessary for HIV testing such as how long to wait for a test results, is it possible to receive the results via e-mail or telephone, how much it will cots, what is the procedure of the testing and how to interpret the result, what to do if the results are positive or negative.**** ** ** All this information is available not only in Internet but also on HIV/AIDS national hotline.**** ** ** The condoms wending machines map helps people of major Ukrainian cities to find the nearest machine and to receive the instructions on how to use it. The advantages of the machines are speed and simplicity and that people can purchase the condoms anonymously, without attracting attention of other people and without and interaction with shop assistance like in supermarkets or pharmacies, ANTIAIDS web-site reported.**** ** ** According to Google Ukraine blog the future plan of the project includes implementing improved navigation map and preparation of the mobile version of the service.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** *LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN* ** ** ========================**** ** ** Realizan pruebas de sida y s?filis de manera gratuita **** El Imparcial, Mexico**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Por Rub?n A. Ruiz**** raruiz at elimparcial.com**** ** ** Pruebas gratuitas de sida y s?filis, entre otras, se est?n llevando a cabo gratuitamente en las jornadas de Mi?rcoles Ciudadano, anunci? la directora municipal de Salud, Gabriela de Le?n de Quintero.**** ** ** Inform? que se hacen por parte de la Secretar?a de Salud por medio de los centros Capasits, dedicado a prevenci?n y atenci?n a enfermos de sida y otras enfermedades de transmisi?n sexual.**** ** ** ?Estamos en una etapa que preferimos medicina preventiva que curar enfermedades, por eso se est? ofreciendo gratuitamente a la gente que crea necesario y saber cu?l es su estado y si tiene o no sida?, coment?.**** ** ** La funcionaria invit? a la comunidad a aprovechar esta oportunidad, sobre todo aquellos que hayan tenido una conducta de riesgo o que no est?n seguros de su pareja.**** ** ** ?La persona acude aqu?, se hace la prueba, para saber si tiene anticuerpos contra sida, es una gota de sangre, si sale positiva tiene que acudir al Capasits para hacer la prueba siguiente que es Elisa.**** ?Y otra prueba m?s indicativa para empezar su tratamiento, cualquier gente que crea que ha tenido una conducta de riesgo por relaciones sexuales sin cond?n o sea drogadicto o se inyecte con jeringas usadas puede acudir?, explic?.**** ** ** Asimismo, continu?, en el caso de mujeres embarazadas, ya que con un tratamiento a tiempo puede evitar que su hijo nazca con la enfermedad.**** ** ** Es de destacar que tambi?n pueden acudir de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a 13:00 horas al centro Capasits, ubicado por la avenida Jes?s Garc?a, donde en forma gratuita se le hace la prueba.**** ** ** *3* Sida afecta a menores de edad**** Diario del Ot?n, Colombia**** 31/01/2012**** ** ** Pereira, Dosquebradas, Santa Rosa de Cabal y La Virginia, son los cuatro municipios risaraldenses seleccionados para la puesta en marcha de un proyecto de prevenci?n del VIH-Sida.**** ** ** Menores de 12, 15 y 17 a?os de edad hacen parte de la lista de los 234 casos nuevos registrados de VIH en Risaralda en el a?o 2011, de los cuales 150 se presentaron en Pereira, 47 en Dosquebradas, 8 en Santa Rosa de Cabal y 7 en La Virginia, municipios que hacen parte de los 75 seleccionados en Colombia para comenzar a ejecutarse un proyecto internacional de lucha contra el Sida.**** ** ** Aunque la incidencia de Sida en menores de edad es baja en el departamento, seg?n la Secretar?a de Salud de Risaralda se registraron al menos cinco casos de adolescentes contagiados el a?o pasado y a?n no se ha determinado el mecanismo de transmisi?n.**** ** ** La presencia de casos de la enfermedad en menores de edad tiene en alerta a las autoridades de salud que este a?o acompa?ar? la ejecuci?n de un proyecto en construcci?n de capacidad comunitaria e institucional para la oferta de servicios preventivos de salud y reducci?n de la morbimortalidad y vulnerabilidad asociada al VIH-Sida en grupos claves afectados.**** ** ** Campa?as de entrega de condones, promoci?n de pruebas de tamizaje para diagnosticar la enfermedad, capacitaciones a personal m?dico, charlas a la comunidad y trabajo articulado con fundaciones que trabajan con personas con VIH-Sida, har?n parte de las acciones que ser?n implementadas este a?o en los cuatro municipios risaraldenses con mayor incidencia de la enfermedad.**** ** ** De lo 234 casos que se presentaron en el 2011, 158 fueron hombres y 75 mujeres, los cuales en su mayor?a son heterosexuales.**** ** ** El proyecto que actualmente es implementado en cuatro municipios de Risaralda fue impulsado por la Novena Ronda del Fondo Mundial de Lucha Contra el Sida, en la que particip? Colombia, y donde se asignaron unos recursos importantes para la ejecuci?n del programa de prevenci?n durante cinco a?os.**** ** ** El coordinador del programa en Colombia es una ONG denominada CMF, quien se encarg? de la selecci?n de 75 municipios del pa?s, con base a las cifras de incidencia de la enfermedad.**** ** ** La poblaci?n que ha contra?do en el ?ltimo a?o VIH en el departamento, en su gran mayor?a, tiene edades comprendidas entre 20 y 39 a?os, seguida por los mayores de 50, lo que representa que los riesgos de contagio en j?venes son m?s elevados que en otras edades. Usar preservativo es la ?nica manera de prevenir esta enfermedad que desde su inicio en Colombia en 1983 hasta el pasado julio, han padecido 83.467 personas aproximadamente.**** ** ** Es de resaltar que las cifras de incidencia en la regi?n pueden ser mayores, muchos ciudadanos pueden ser portadores y no saberlo, pues el VIH es asintom?tico y hasta que no se realicen los ex?menes correspondientes no se dar?n cuenta.**** ** ** Es importante aclarar que el VIH no es lo mismo que el Sida, mientras el primero se trata de la existencia del Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana en la persona es asintom?tico. El segundo, el Sida, es una etapa avanzada de la infecci?n por VIH con presencia de s?ntomas.**** ** ** *4***** Importancia de los controles prenatales **** ABC Digital, Paraguay**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** Difunden la importancia del control prenatal con el lema ?Mam? sana, beb? sano?, desde el Ministerio de Salud P?blica.**** ** ** * Es importante que las embarazadas asistan a los controles prenatales, cuiden su salud y alimentaci?n para asegurar su bienestar y el de su beb?. Este control debe ser peri?dico y precoz, antes del cuarto mes de embarazo, recomienda la cartera sanitaria. Advierte que si no se llevan a cabo los controles pertinentes, en caso de padecer alguna patolog?a, el cuadro podr?a agravarse.**** ** ** Control precoz**** ** ** * Es necesario el monitoreo permanente de ambas personas. Este control debe ser precoz, antes del cuarto mes de embarazo, y abarca no solo los an?lisis laboratoriales, sino tambi?n inspecciones f?sicas peri?dicas a cargo de profesionales m?dicos y de la propia madre sobre su cuerpo.**** ** ** * Recu?rdese que tanto las consultas m?dicas como los an?lisis laboratoriales y las ecograf?as son brindados gratuitamente en cualquiera de los servicios dependientes del Ministerio de Salud. Los ex?menes incluyen pruebas de hemograma, glicemia, tipificaci?n, VIH y VDRL.**** ** ** An?lisis necesarios**** * Una madre puede estar aparentemente sana, sin embargo, puede tener alguna de estas infecciones (VIH, s?filis), que se adquieren por v?a sexual y pueden pasar muchos a?os sin presentar ning?n s?ntoma.**** * Si el resultado del an?lisis es positivo, se deben iniciar cuanto antes las medidas para reducir la posibilidad de que el ni?o nazca con VIH, se infecte con s?filis o muera.**** ** ** * Estos an?lisis se realizan en la mayor?a de los hospitales dependientes del Ministerio de Salud P?blica, son sencillos y se necesita una sola muestra de sangre para ambos.**** *Si la prueba de VIH o s?filis da positiva, la criatura est? en peligro si no se toman las medidas pertinentes de protecci?n. El virus del VIH se puede transmitir durante el embarazo, durante el parto o a trav?s de la leche materna. Sin tratamiento, entre el 25 al 40% de los nacidos de madres con VIH contraen el virus, y el 70% de los nacidos de madres con s?filis mueren al poco tiempo de nacer o sufren ceguera, retardo mental, deformaci?n facial u otros s?ntomas.**** *?Se puede hacer algo para que el beb? no nazca con este virus? La criatura puede nacer sana. Apenas se recibe el resultado positivo del an?lisis, se debe iniciar el tratamiento con medicamentos espec?ficos, los medicamentos contra el virus del VIH son gratuitos. Adem?s el m?dico debe programar el parto por ces?rea, antes de que inicien las contracciones de la madre, quien tampoco deber? amamantar al reci?n nacido, pues la leche materna contiene el virus; por su parte, la criatura recibir? un medicamento por 42 d?as para reducir la posibilidad de contraer el virus.**** ** ** ========================**** ** ** ***NORTH AMERICA***** ** ** ========================**** ** ** Why the Global Fund Matters (OpEd) **** New York Times**** 02/02/2012**** ** ** By PAUL FARMER**** ** ** Ten years ago, the heads of the G-8 countries met in Genoa, Italy, to back the establishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ? a new funding mechanism that dramatically increased resources available to fight preventable, treatable diseases stalking the poor and depleting developing economies around the globe**** ** ** In 2001, very few people ? almost none, really ? living with H.I.V. in Africa had access to antiretroviral medicines. Today, more than 3.3 million people ? more than half of those on treatment worldwide ? are on treatment supported by the Global Fund: A true victory for the global community. The fund and the U.S. international AIDS program, Pepfar (the President?s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program), are the most ambitious global health endeavors in generations. **** ** ** Now, 10 years since its founding, the Global Fund is facing a serious financial shortfall, and the fund?s board voted recently not to accept new grant requests until at least 2014. Bill Gates? announcement of a $750 million contribution to the fund in Davos last week was welcome news ? the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been among the greatest supporters of the Global Fund since its inception ? but will not change the board?s decision. They knew of Gates? donation before they canceled the current round of grant-making. **** ** ** This funding deficit hit right when the end of AIDS became plausible: Last year, scientific breakthroughs provided conclusive evidence that putting more people on treatment earlier can significantly reduce incidence of H.I.V. Treatment is prevention. **** ** ** Beyond AIDS, the Global Fund is currently the largest donor in the world for tuberculosis and malaria programs. Operating in 150 countries, it has treated more than 8 million cases of tuberculosis and distributed 230 million insecticide-treated nets. Deaths from malaria are down nearly 40 percent in most of Africa. The question is not whether the Global Fund works, but how to ensure it keeps working for years to come. **** ** ** In my mind, there are four reasons this is imperative: **** ** ** First, the world needs to expand, not contract, access to health care because of the sheer burden of disease. It is unconscionable that, in 2012, we are still living in a world where millions of poor people die of preventable and treatable diseases. **** ** ** Second, the Fund doesn?t simply give handouts; it takes the longer road of investing in and working with health ministries. In doing so, it seeks to build (or rebuild) local health systems, develop platforms for transparency and accountability, boost local procurement and improve supply chains, and help train civil servants and health professionals. **** ** ** This approach has had profound spillover effects on other health and development priorities. In central Haiti, for example, establishing effective treatment programs for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has raised the standard of care for chronic conditions like major mental illness, heart failure and several forms of cancer. **** ** ** Third, the Global Fund proves how much multilateral organizations can accomplish. While the usual players ? the G-8, say ? bear the greatest financial burden, I would urge some of the recipient countries to consider themselves partners of and contributors to the fund. In today?s global economy, countries like India, Russia and China play meaningful roles as donors and as recipients of grants. Gabriel Jaramillo, a Brazilian banker who last week was named the fund?s general manager, will surely strengthen these links and reinvigorate its leadership. The Global Fund is a truly multilateral organization, and stronger for it. **** ** ** Fourth, a recession is a lousy excuse to starve one of the best (and only) instruments we have for helping people who live on a few dollars a day. Most marginalized populations around the globe have always faced economic contraction; ?financial crisis? has been ongoing for them since the day they were born. It would be a great mistake to allow one of the world?s most effective global health institutions to fail because we need to get our own fiscal house in order. **** ** ** Along with Pepfar, the Global Fund has, without question, helped turn the corner on AIDS. It has also helped realize substantial gains against TB and malaria that must be maintained. We need to summon the funding and political will, now, to protect the hard-fought progress of the past decade. **** ** ** Simply put, if we allow the fund to fail, many people will die, and we will forfeit the chance at the ?AIDS-free generation? that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for in November. This is no time to step back. **** ** ** *Paul Farmer is chairman of the department of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School and a cofounder of Partners in Health, which has received support from the Global Fund in Haiti, Lesotho and Russia. * *A version of this op-ed appeared in print on February 2, 2012, in The International Herald Tribune*. **** ** ** -- HIV TWG Listserv Address to post message: hivaids-twg at ngocentre.org.vn Subscribe to the listserv: http://mailman.ngocentre.org.vn/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hivaids-twg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://ngocentre.org.vn/pipermail/hivaids-twg/attachments/20120203/e3c31eef/attachment-0004.html