Early diagnosis needed to fight TB

Tuberculosis kills 1.7 million people every year. In sub-Saharan Africa, the disease is also a major killer of people living with HIV. Stigma, poor adherence to medicines and lack of early diagnosis plagues the management of TB in these states.

Statistics show that more than fifty thousand Zambians die of malaria every year.

Statistics show that more than fifty thousand Zambians die of malaria every year. The National Malaria Control Centre says the disease accounts for more than a third of hospitalisations and outpatient visits in the southern African country.

Cancer has been viewed as a disease of the west, but it is knocking on the door of developing nations with fury.

Cancer has been viewed as a disease of the west, but it is knocking on the door of developing nations with fury. A lack of infrastructure and treatment options is proving to be a major challenge for many African nations.

An estimated 11 million people in the Horn of Africa are affected by the region’s worst drought in 60 years.

An estimated 11 million people in the Horn of Africa are affected by the region’s worst drought in 60 years.

Study shows taking a combination of anti retrovirals while HIV negative can reduce the chance of infection.

Study shows taking a combination of anti retrovirals while HIV negative can reduce the chance of infection.

Poverty and a lack of infrastructure have blamed for rising maternal mortality in Kenya.

Poverty and a lack of infrastructure have blamed for rising maternal mortality in Kenya. For every 100 000 live births, 560 women die. A new programme is showing promise in reducing these numbers.

Study shows women need more prominence in the newsroom.

Study shows women need more prominence in the newsroom.

Gender activists say African organisations should focus more on gender when they gather for talks.

Gender activists say African organisations should focus more on gender when they gather for talks.

If clinical trials are successful, the new tenofovir microbicide gel that protects women against the HIV virus will be manufactured in South Africa.

Dr Henry Gabelnick, of CONRAD, says licensing makes it possible to produce the topical gel to fit in to several price structures. Tinus de Jager asked Gabelnick what rights the South Africans received.

South Africa is going ahead with clinical trials of the tenofovir microbicide gel that has showed a 39% effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission to in women.

South Africa is going ahead with clinical trials of the tenofovir microbicide gel that has showed a 39% effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission to in women.

The latest statistics on HIV and Aids show large numbers of youth in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by the pandemic.

The latest statistics on HIV and Aids show large numbers of youth in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by the pandemic.

Sewing project gives women a chance to empower themselves

Sewing project gives women a chance to empower themselves

South African civil society organisations are calling on the Government, churches and communities to join forces in the fight against corrective rape.

South African civil society organisations are calling on the Government, churches and communities to join forces in the fight against corrective rape. Zukiswa Zimela reports from Johannesburg.

The results of the South African local government elections results have been declared and, while turnout is the highest since democratic elections started in 1994, women are falling way short of 50% representation in local government.

The results of the South African local government elections results have been declared and, while turnout is the highest since democratic elections started in 1994, women are falling way short of 50% representation in local government.

South Africans are voting for new municipal councillors, with more than 200 thousand special ballots expected to be made before Election Day.

South Africans are voting for new municipal councillors, with more than 200 thousand special ballots expected to be made before Election Day. The chief electoral officer, Advocate Pansy Tlakula, is happy with the preparations and progress, but she is concerned about the lack of women candidates.

South Africans go to the polls on Wednesday 18 May to elect new local government representatives.

South Africans go to the polls on Wednesday 18 May to elect new local government representatives. But some gender advocates say more than an election is needed to make women equal to men in South African society.

A lack of funds in Mozambique is hampering access to medicines in the southern African country.

A lack of funds in Mozambique is hampering access to medicines in the southern African country. IPS reporter Johannes Myburgh speaks to Mozambique's health ministry about shortages at public health institutions.

Globally 75 million girls remain out of school and robbed of a fulfilling future.

Globally 75 million girls remain out of school and robbed of a fulfilling future. Poverty and early marriage are some of the contributing factors to early pregnancy.

Activists say governments, and big pharmaceutical companies, can get more essential medicines to the poor.

Isaiah Esipisu reports from Zambia, where campaigners work-shopped ways to make medicines more affordable.

A $45-million infrastructure upgrade could give clean drinking water and provide sanitation to a million people in Namibia and Angola.

A $45-million infrastructure upgrade could give clean drinking water and provide sanitation to a million people in Namibia and Angola.

Nairobi’s slums are not known for positive community inputs, but in Waruku a group of residents have taken steps to improve access to water.

Nairobi’s slums are not known for positive community inputs, but in Waruku a group of residents have taken steps to improve access to water. Mary Itumbi visited the Kenyan informal settlement.