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Corner is turned on HIV infections

SCIENTISTS asked whether the tide of HIV infections among teenagers was turning when they released the results of the 2008 national HIV household survey last year. Now we have the answer, and it was worth waiting for. New infections among the 15- to 24-year-old age group have more than halved, a new study shows. A group at high risk of infection, teenagers, have embraced protective steps, like using condoms and finding out their HIV status, for several years now. Condom use during their last sexual encounter increased among young men from 57% in 2002 to 87% in 2008, and from 46% to 73% among young women during this interval. In fact, it seems teenagers and young South Africans are leading the way when it comes to HIV prevention, filling the glaring gap in leadership from the older generation. Senior South Africans, from President Jacob Zuma down the hierarchy, have failed to lead by example. In countries like Uganda, sustained and determined political leadership from the '80s contributed to the declining rates of HIV. Messages like "zero grazing", urging people to be faithful to their partners, were promoted from the top down as well as in communities. But in South Africa, prevention efforts like Soul City's One Love campaign and the creative cartoon strip Scrutinise, are struggling to make an impact on risky sexual behaviour across all generations. And, regardless of age, the practice of having many sexual partners - which is one of the major drivers of the HIV epidemic - has risen, not decreased. The latest survey revealed that men from all age groups having more than one sexual partner in the past year increased from 9.4% in 2002 to 19.3% in 2008, and among women from 1.6% to 3.7%. Behavioural change is inevitably difficult and slow, even more so when it comes to private sexual conduct and secret networks. But if prominent South Africans - from soccer stars and singers, to politicians and executives - stand up for safe sex and are open about their status, they could popularise these messages and get public attention. And behind closed doors, each person needs the power and responsibility to take steps to stop HIV. New tools like an antiretroviral microbicide to prevent infection during sex may show positive results soon but, like condoms, they will only work if used consistently. As an increasing proportion of South Africans adhere to antiretroviral treatment, their infectiousness will be reduced, and when coverage is wide and sustained enough, this could also reduce the rate of new infections. The new study shows that access to antiretroviral treatment has soared since 2005, saving the lives of nearly half-a-million people. In the 2008 survey nearly a fifth of respondents were taking the drugs. It is momentous news that we have finally turned the corner on HIV/AIDS infections. We must drive home the message of safe sex more firmly than ever.

Editorial Comment: The Sunday Times, 20 June 2010

Pharmacies stock up on swine flu vaccine

PHARMACIES are now able to stock up with a vaccine against the H1N1 strain of flu, according to the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA). For 2010, the World Health Organisation designated that a vaccine for influenza A H1N1 strain should be included amongst three contained in the seasonal influenza vaccines. The vaccines are usually made available in the public and private sector. However, this year, due to the low yield of one of the strains of virus, manufacturers were unable to supply vaccines in sufficient quantity. This meant that until now the vaccine was not available through the private sector community pharmacies. However, as part of the Department of Health's recent influenza vaccination campaign, it became possible to obtain additional supplies of the relevant vaccine. The PSSA said that community pharmacies would make the vaccine available to high-risk patients at a nominal charge.

SAPA, 29 June 2010

Influenza season has begun

THE National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed flu season has begun in the country. The NICD said the influenza activity was low to moderate but the number of cases was expected to increase during the next two to three weeks. Nombuso Shabalala, NICD spokesman said, through the flu monitoring system of the NICD, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, the flu virus strains identified to date had been the usual seasonal influenza B strain and the influenza A, with a recent isolated case of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) being reported. The confirmed swine flu case was that of a pregnant woman, who was given antivirals and is currently recovering at her home. Fidel Hadebe, National Department of Health spokesman, said this remained an isolated incident, as there were no other reports of swine flu cases. Shabalala said that currently available vaccines included the trivalent vaccine, which covers all three strains circulating and a monovalent vaccine which covers only the H1N1 2009 pandemic strain.

Lauren Petersen: The Citizen, 30 June 2010

Chronic medicine shortage hits Cape

THOUSANDS of patients with diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure in the Western Cape are having to manage without their life-saving treatment because of major supply problems in the public health sector. The provincial department of health confirmed that its Chronic Dispensing Unit (CDU), based at Tygerberg Hospital, had run out of stock of certain cardiovascular treatment, as well as certain asthma, diabetes and hypertension medication. Department spokesperson Faiza Steyn described the stock shortages at the end of the supply chain or clinics as "high". She said the metro region was worst affected. Steyn said the private contractor that supplied the medicine, the Western Cape Medical Supplies Centre, could not keep pace with the demand. The dispensing unit, run by Institutional Pharmacy Management, processes and pre-packs about 150 000 prescriptions a month. These chronic treatment packages are then distributed to 68 provincial clinics and healthcare centres across the Peninsula, and some parts of the West Coast. Damaries Kiewiets, chairwoman of Cape Metro Health Forum, described the situation as "dire and catastrophic". She said the situation could be catastrophic for patients who relied solely on the state health services and had no option of getting the medication privately. Steyn said the shortages were intermittent, but clinics were working together to redistribute medication to replenish stock where there were shortages. She could not reveal the extent of the problem, but she said the Cape Medical Depot was engaging suppliers, adding that the issue was receiving attention at the highest level, and key personnel of the department were meeting weekly to identify solutions and provide a way forward.

Sipokazi Maposa: The Cape Argus, 2 July 2010

Facelift for Addington child hospital

AFTER years of neglect, Durban's historic Addington Children's Hospital will be given a major facelift. The hospital, which has become and eyesore, was situated next to Addington Hospital and has been frequented by vagrants for years as authorities struggled to decide what to do with it. KZN health department spokesman Chris Maxon said it would cost R200 million to revamp and buy new equipment. He said the department was also asking for donations. The hospital, completed in 1931, was constructed after it was discovered there was a lack of specialist facilities for children. The money used to build it came from donations.

SAPA, 15 July 2010