As the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto came to an end, Amnesty International issued an urgent call to governments and to the international community to place human rights at the centre of responses to HIV/AIDS.
Equity and HIV/AIDS
XVI International AIDS Conference: Time to deliver on human rights and HIV/AIDS
Amnesty International Canada, 18 August 2006
Young Malawians on the interaction between mental health and HIV/AIDS
Wright J, Lubben F, Mkandawire M: African Journal of AIDS Research 6(3): 297–304
Previous research has identified high levels of mental health problems among people affected by HIV. This study surveys specifically adolescents in southern Malawi on their experience of the impacts of living with HIV or AIDS on one's mental health. At the same time, the study explores the link between mental health problems and subsequent HIV-risk behaviour. Short texts relating everyday scenarios that depicted symptoms of three mental health problems (i.e. depression, anxiety and HIV-related brain impairment) formed the basis of in-depth discussions in 12 existing groups of secondary school students, orphans and vulnerable children, teenage mothers, and out-of-school youths, in both rural and urban settings. The responses show that these young people recognised the mental health sequelae of HIV/AIDS as impacting upon many aspects of one's life. The young people traced these ‘interruptions' and ‘disruptions' through deteriorating psychological and socio-economic conditions. They showed awareness of a two-way interaction between HIV/AIDS and mental illness, indicating that the latter can increase thoughts of suicide and HIV risk-taking behaviour. More importantly, they identified a number of locally derived community interventions, which if supported by statutory health and education services, can significantly ameliorate their situations. The findings provide avenues for practical integration of mental health provision within HIV prevention, education and care initiatives.
Zambia looks to SA for cheap AIDS drugs
Zambian Health Minister Brian Chituwo has lamented India's decision to stop manufacturing cheap anti-AIDS drugs, noting that the medicines were his country's "lifeline" against the HI virus. However, in an interview with the local 'Post' newspaper, Chituwo said Zambia was busy exploring ways of procuring affordable antiretrovirals from South Africa.
Zambia: HIV/AIDS service provision assessment survey 2005
Ministry of Health (Zambia), Central Statistical Office (Zambia), ORC Macro: 2006
This report summarises the findings of the 2005 Zambia HIV/AIDS Service Provision Assessment (Zambia HIV/AIDS SPA) Survey carried out by the Zambia Ministry of Health and the Zambia Central Statistical Office. ORC Macro provided technical assistance and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided funding.
Zambia: More than 10 girls raped every week
IRIN News, 27 November 2006
A Zambian nongovernmental organisation (NGO) revealed this week that it records eight cases of rape of young girls every week at its centre in the capital, Lusaka. The statistics were released by the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Zambia to mark the start of the global campaign, '16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence', which runs from 25 November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - until International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
Zambia: Shielding children from their HIV status does more harm than good
Integrated Regional Information Network, 25 January 2007
Zambia's attempts to promote paediatric antiretroviral (ARV) drug adherence are being undermined by families and communities who shield children in their care from knowing their HIV/AIDS status, health experts say. "Disclosing their status to an HIV-positive child is a difficult process and it requires specialised skills in paediatric counselling but, unfortunately, many affected communities and families are lacking such counsellors and skills," Canisius Banda, a spokesperson in the Zambian Ministry of Health told IRIN.
Zambian civic groups call on MPs to be more proactive in HIV/AIDS fight
Zambia's civil society groups are targeting parliamentarians, urging them to step up efforts to curb the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Advocacy groups point out that members of parliament (MPs) are in an ideal position to help eradicate stigma and discrimination, as they could influence their constituents.
Zambians urged to use free AIDS drugs
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has urged people living with HIV/AIDS to make use of anti-AIDS drugs, which are freely available at healthcare sites throughout the country. Mwanawasa was quoted by a local newspaper, The Times of Zambia, as saying: "The answer does not lie in sitting back with your disease but in presenting your case to authorities ... so that you can get treatment." He noted that antiretroviral treatment would improve their health.
Zeroing in on AIDS and global health Post-2015
Buse K, Blackshaw R, Harakeye and Ndayisaba M: Globalization and Health 8(42), 30 November 2012
In light of the emerging debate on what a post-2015 development agenda and accountability framework should look like, the authors of this paper call on policy makers and other stakeholders to look at the AIDS response for lessons in global health responses, where the most marginalised are at the centre of the debate, human rights are protected under the rule of law, strong accountability is in place for results for people, and community and participatory processes are the norm. These hard-won principles of the AIDS response should be incorporated into the post-2015 global health agenda, while at the same time acknowledging that a rapidly changing world, including a shifting geopolitical and economic landscape, requires policy responses that are context sensitive. Three years ago, UNAIDS articulated what was then considered to be an ambitious vision: zero new HIV infections and zero-AIDS related deaths by 2015, underpinned by zero discrimination. The authors argue that the post-2015 development agenda calls for the reconceptualision of this vision as a set of concrete goals. They discuss the Shared Responsibility-Global Solidarity agenda, as pioneered by the African Union in its recent Roadmap on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, to illustrate ways in which global health can be re-thought to tackle twenty-first century challenges.
Zima Resolves to Lobby HIV/Aids Global Fund
Doctors have resolved to lobby the Global Fund to give Zimbabwe funds for use in HIV/Aids initiatives. At the Zimbabwe Medical Association congress, which took place in Victoria Falls from August 19 to 22 under the theme "New Horizons in the Health Sector", the doctors said it was grossly irresponsible and a violation of human rights for Zimbabwe to be denied money from the fund. Zima secretary-general Dr Paul Chimedza said doctors suspected that the reason the country was denied the money was political.