The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief South Africa

World TB Day

Focus on epidemic that kills millions

Washington -- The pace of progress in the intense battle between global public health officials and Mycobacterium tuberculosis -- the cause of an airborne infectious disease epidemic that killed 1.7 million people in 2006 -- slowed during that year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Global Tuberculosis Control 2008, released March 17, describes a decline in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis, a slight rise in global cases since 2005, the highest levels ever recorded for multidrug-resistant TB and a lethal combination of TB and HIV/AIDS that is fueling the TB epidemic in parts of the world, especially Africa.

The 12th annual WHO report on global TB control was released in advance of World TB Day, observed March 24, and is based on data from 202 countries and territories.

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2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting to Highlight Progress and Lesssons Learned in HIV Programming

Washington, DC – HIV/AIDS implementers from around the world will gather in Kampala, Uganda from June 3-7 for the 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting.  Recognizing the rapid expansion of HIV/AIDS programs worldwide, the focus of this year’s meeting is building the capacity of local prevention, treatment, and care programs; enhancing quality; and promoting coordination among partners. 

The meeting’s theme is “Scaling Up Through Partnerships: Overcoming Obstacles to Implementation.” A total of 1,700 attendees are expected, representing governments, non­governmental organizations including faith- and community-based groups, multilateral organizations, the private sector, and groups of people living with HIV/AIDS. Through presentations, dialogue and networking, participants will identify critical barriers and share information that will directly impact HIV/AIDS program implementation in the coming years.  

“The experience in Uganda in fighting HIV/AIDS is a true reflection of the meeting’s theme,” said Dr Kihumuro Apuuli, Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission.  “Uganda's achievements in fighting the epidemic cannot be attributed to a single stakeholder or even a cluster of stakeholders, but the collective efforts of all.”

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Free HIV and Health Services for Soweto Youth at New Adolescent Centre

“Youth will gain the knowledge and tools to think ahead, weigh consequences and make responsible decisions”, says USAID Director

Teenagers can now access free HIV and health services at Soweto’s Kganya Motsha Adolescent Centre opened today by the Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), associated with the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and sponsors, USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).  The Centre offers medical and health services for youth between the ages of 14 and 19 years old.  Appointments aren’t necessary, confidentiality is guaranteed and the professional, friendly staff of six will give medical treatment, counseling and care resources tailored to meet adolescent needs.

Unhealthy lifestyles among South Africa’s youth increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections, fuel the spread of HIV and contribute to numerous health and social problems.  Kganya Motsha Manager, Atholl Kleinhans, a social scientist specializing in adolescents, says, “Teens are increasingly sexually active at younger ages now than in the past and indulging in high risk behavior such as early sexual initiation, multiple partners, unprotected sex, gender-based violence and alcohol and drug use.”

Program Director, Dr. Rikash Jokhan, and Professor Glenda Gray motivated this pilot clinic “because teens and their behavior in this country are under-researched, lack services and lack mobilization”.  The Kganya Motsha Centre addresses health needs relevant to adolescents that include sexuality; HIV counseling and testing; pregnancy; drug and alcohol abuse; gender and mental health issues and abuse.  Teens are free to talk about everything in the youth-friendly environment at Kganya Motsha.

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More than a Job

HIV Counselor Finds New Hope in ARV Medications

You need only spend a few moments with Justice Shabalala to know that he is a man who has found his calling. In a wood-walled room used as a counseling center for those living with HIV, he banters easily with the patients, his voice rings alternately with the energy and compassion of a man skilled at listening.

As Senior Counselor for the Inkanyezi Treatment Center, Shabalala deals with patients whose stories could break the hearts of the uninitiated. In the tiny confines of this counseling room, Shabalala thinks back on his beginnings with Inkanyezi. He shakes his head at how casually he approached the work that now defines him.

“I was unemployed and I just wanted something to keep me busy,” Shabalala said. “But after two months I fell in love with the job.”

Since 2004, Inkanyezi has been receiving antiretroviral drugs from Catholic Relief Services – provided through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Shabalala can distinctly remember the years before the availability of ARV medications. “It was very traumatizing. We would take care of people for two or three months, and then they would die.”

With the availability of ARVs, the changes have been dramatic.

“Many people came here in a wheelbarrow,” Shabalala said, a common method of delivering those too sick to walk in such impoverished areas. “But after two or three months you wouldn’t even recognize them. We have seen miracles.”

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Walking Away From Death’s Door

Hospice Restores Life to Those Destined to Die

The young man lay on what everybody thought would be his deathbed. “Tshepo” (not his real name) was molested and contracted AIDS while serving a jail sentence for a minor offense. When he was released, the 28-year-old did not know how he would survive. He went to the Soweto Hospice, well-known for providing good care for those at death’s door.

Hospice staff gave him medicine for his acute symptoms and helped him to access antiretroviral treatment. They offered him a bed, healthy meals, continuing care and counseling. That was three years ago. Tshepo is alive and well today, thanks to Hospice’s efforts and his own determination.

Ella Danilowitz of the Hospice Association reports: “Tshepo is okay now, showing no symptoms of HIV. We got a disability grant for him. He was a Hospice resident, but we’ve discharged him. He is now in a home care program….healthy, chirpy and looking for work.”

Hospice cares for the terminally ill, but has evolved into a life-saving program. Ella says, “We try to get patients to a healthier physical state so they can return to be homemakers and parents of their families.” USAID and PEPFAR support is allowing Hospice to expand the care available for patients at home.

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