In CUBA, Condoms at Rock Concerts

CUBA: /RIGHTS/HEALTH/ /2/12/02 IPS

HAVANA – In CUBA, free condoms are handed out at rock concerts, says a report from Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency.

In BRAZIL, during the Carnival season in February, 28 million free condoms were distributed.

The use of condoms is key to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) provided a total of 109 million condoms to 18 Latin American countries, including CUBA and BRAZIL, in 2001.

UNFPA also included female condoms in the shipments of condoms.

In 1992, the World Bank had predicted that by 2002 some 1.2 million people would be living with HIV in BRAZIL..

But thanks to the public health measures adopted in BRAZIL, the number stands at just 215,000 today. And BRAZIL, a country of 170 million, has cut AIDS-related mortality in half. /IPS/an

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Politicians Urged to Put AIDS Orphans on Poll Agenda in KENYA

KENYA: /RIGHTS/HEALTH/ /2/12/02 IPS

NAIROBI – Politicians are being told to put KENYA’s 1.2 million AIDS orphans at the centre of the 2002 election agenda.

At the forefront of the campaign is the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, says Inter Press Service (IPS) in a report. Rival political groups are being urged to deal with the issue of AIDS orphans through a nation-wide TV, radio and poster campaign.

Each candidate is also being presented with a “Call to Action” brochure by UNICEF. It asks candidates to declare up front if the issue of AIDS orphans is part of their political agenda.

Almost every Kenyan either cares for an AIDS orphan or knows someone who does. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has devastated KENYA.

UNICEF believes politicians in KENYA must deal with the issue, says the IPS report.

UNICEF wants free education for AIDS orphans in KENYA. And funding to support those caring for them. Also, new laws to outlaw discrimination and exploitation of orphans. There is mounting evidence of Kenyan orphans being denied the right to their family property. /IPS/an

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Rapid HIV Testing Hailed as Boon for Pregnant Women

UNITED STATES: /RIGHTS/HEALTH/ /2/12/02 IPS

NEW YORK - Women's advocates are cheering a new HIV test that gives results in minutes.

The test, called OraQuick, is available for sale in the UNITED STATES. It will be available in the nearly 40,000 locations certified to perform moderately complex diagnostic tests, says a report from Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency.

Health providers will now be able to tell quickly whether to initiate anti-HIV drugs to prevent HIV transmission from a mother to her baby.

Lori Heise of the Seattle-based Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health says the tests will be particularly beneficial for marginalised women.

Traditional HIV tests take about a week to be processed at a laboratory in the UNITED STATES. The new test will take only 20 minutes.

According to the IPS report, a rapid test is considered a major breakthrough in efforts to contain the disease and get immediate treatment for those who need it. /IPS/an

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Famine Worsens Health of People Living with AIDS in ZIMBABWE

ZIMBABWE: /RIGHTS/HEALTH/ /02/12/02 IPS

HARARE - An acute food shortage is worsening the health of people living with HIV/AIDS in ZIMBABWE.

Health officials warn that not having the right nutrition could be a recipe to a fast death for a person living with HIV/AIDS.

About half of ZIMBABWE's 14.5 million people need urgent food aid between now and March 2003, says an Inter Press Service (IPS) news report.

Levels of malnutrition are worsening, while cases of hunger-related diseases are becoming more frequent.

UNAIDS says it is working to increase the amount and quality of food distributed to people living with HIV/AIDS.

According to IPS, one in four, sexually active adults in ZIMBABWE is living with HIV/AIDS. /IPS/an

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