The prevalence of HIV/Aids among women and girls involved in commercial sex in Kampala is on the rise.

Global Challenges

Top researchers have called for male circumcision and the reduction of multiple sexual partnerships to become the cornerstone of HIV prevention in Africa if a significant impact is to be made on the HIV epidemic.

Married couples have been asked to embrace the voluntary HIV testing services made available free of charge at their homes in Rukungiri.

Africa should spruce up its e-health services to ensure improved access to health services as a fundamental human right, argued delegates at the IST-Africa Conference in Windhoek, New Era reports.

Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) yesterday came under fire when HIV/AIDS activists accused them of squandering money from donors meant for the fight against the disease on non-core areas that do not directly benefit sufferers.

A two-day conference on Namibian women leaders against HIV/AIDS started in the capital yesterday with First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba urging all women in leadership positions to be pro-active in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Pambazuka News brings you the last part of William Gumede's chapter on Mbeki and the controversies surrounding his AIDS policies. This is from his book 'Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC'.

The exclusive focus on HIV promoted by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is damaging health systems and distorting health financing, and UNAIDS should be closed down immediately, writes an expert in this week's BMJ.

Politics and Policy

A LUSAKA magistrate's court has issued a bench warrant against a Lusaka teacher who is charged with impersonating a medical doctor and allegedly administering fake HIV/AIDS drugs to unsuspecting Lusaka residents at a fee of K5 million.

Kenya has about one billion condoms in the stores, which will last up to 2012.

The fight against HIV/Aids has received a boost after the US Government injected Sh30 billion into the campaign.

As the people of Equatorial Guinea continue to die from AIDS and other diseases, Agustin Velloso highlights the fact that the elite in power receive their medical care abroad. Spain, one of the country's more important trading partners, turns a blind eye to Equatorial Guinea's corrupt health-care industry.

Pambazuka News continues to serialise William Gumede's chapter on Mbeki and the controversies surrounding his AIDS policies. This is from his book 'Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC'. Be sure to look for the last part in the next issue.

THE Ministry of Health and Social Services is holding a nationwide HIV-testing campaign from today until Saturday to encourage people to make use of national testing and counselling services.

Namibia will launch its first ever National HIV Testing Day tomorrow at 10h00 in Zoo Park, it was announced in a press release from the United States of America Embassy, who are partnering with the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Sexual activity among students - both girls and boys - is high and starts early, says a study released on Tuesday.

RURAL communities can reduce poverty if they are empowered with projects such as livestock rearing and farming, first Republican president, Kenneth Kaunda has said.

The signing of agreement between the National Institute of Fight against HIV/AIDS (INLS) and public institutions on Wednesday in Luanda symbolizes the partnership for actions to fight HIV/AIDS, especially in the disease control and access to medicines.

Global Challenges

Plan Cameroon, the community and Child/mother centred Non Governmental Organisation was recently on the field x-raying their activities in the health sector.

CHILDREN in Kayunga district become sexually active as early as eight years of age, the district director of health services has said.

ONLY 6% of the people in Moyo district know their HIVâ-àstatus, according to a health official. The district AIDS focal person, Dr. Franklin Iddi, said out 270,000 people, only 16,200 had tested for the AIDSâ-àvirus since the voluntary counselling and testing services were launched in the area in September 2006.

The National Institute of Fight Against Aids (INLS) and other public institutions are to sign this Wednesday here an accord in the ambit of the Global Fund, ANGOP has learnt.