JOHANNESBURG, 30 April 2010 (PLUSNEWS) – A new study of adult mortality tells the tale of HIV over decades and across borders and how treatment may have helped to rewrite the ending
GLOBAL: Mortality data reveals HIV treatment progress
April 30, 2010 by IRIN Plusnews Service[PDF][print]
Originally published at www.plusnews.org/report.asp...rtID=88982
ZAMBIA: Poor conditions mean double jeopardy for inmates
April 29, 2010 by IRIN Plusnews Service[PDF][print]
Originally published at www.plusnews.org/report.asp...rtID=88972
JOHANNESBURG, 29 April 2010 (PLUSNEWS) – Doing time in Zambia’s prisons may be a death sentence, regardless of the crime or conviction, as conditions behind bars drive high rates of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) says a new report.
SOUTH AFRICA: Bongi Rubushe, “I think it is good that President Jacob Zuma announced his HIV status”
April 28, 2010 by IRIN Plusnews Service[PDF][print]
Originally published at www.plusnews.org/report.asp...rtID=88956
JOHANNESBURG, 28 April 2010 (PLUSNEWS) – Bongi Rubushe, 24, is a medical student at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is also working as a volunteer in the national HIV counselling and testing campaign, which aims to encourage 15 million people to be tested by June 2011. IRIN/PlusNews spoke to her at Natalspruit Hospital, east of Johannesburg, where the campaign was launched on 25 April 2010.
PCB Bureau Meeting: 24 March 2010
April 28, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]
The UNAIDS PCB Bureau met on 24 March 2010 to discuss the upcoming 26th PCB Meeting including the thematic session “Linking SRH Services to HIV Interventions in Practice”, an update from the PCB Task Force on Second Independent Evaluation (SIE) follow-up related to all aspects of governance and to discuss ideas for the thematic sessions in 2011.
The 26th PCB Meeting will be taking place on June 22-24 in Geneva at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Building. As the Bureau had discussed each of the agenda items of the 26th PCB Meeting in their previous Bureau Meeting, they focused on the sub-items to the agenda item “Follow-up to the SIE” which includes an update on the implementation of the SIE recommendations, a report from the PCB Task Force and a discussion with possible decisions on the Mission Statement of UNAIDS. The Bureau asked that Michél Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS, address UA post 2010 in his report to the board at the 26th PCB Meeting, and asked for a substantive agenda item on UA at the 27th PCB Meeting in December 2010.
The Bureau received an update from the UNAIDS Secretariat on the progress of the Core Working Group (WG) which is tasked to participate in the preparations of the thematic session of the 26th PCB Meeting. The Core WG now consists of Member States, Cosponsors, PCB NGOs, the Global Fund, IPPF and the UNAIDS Secretariat. Read more about the thematic session on “Linking SRH Services to HIV Interventions in Practice” and the Core WG.
The Bureau was also given an update from the Chair of the PCB Task Force on SIE follow-up, Monique Middlehoff, who is also the chair of the Bureau. The PCB Task Force met face to face in Geneva on 22-23 March to continue discussions around the SIE recommendations and the Task Force’s report to the PCB at the 26th Meeting. The Task Force is expected to be proposing decision points to the board around the linkages between governance and other SIE recommendation areas. The minutes of the Task Force Meeting will be posted to the NGO Delegation’s website as soon as they are made available.
Six proposals for possible 2011 thematic session concepts were submitted to the Bureau and will be presented to the PCB for the final decision at the 26th PCB Meeting. The proposals include suggestions around HIV and the Law, and Universal Access.
The meeting closed with the PCB NGOs updating the group on the online survey (over 1000 respondents) which will inform the 2010 NGO Report to the UNAIDS Board at the 26th PCB Meeting. The next Bureau Meeting, originally set to take place on the 21st of April will now be held on the 26th of April.
Read the official UNAIDS PCB Bureau Minutes for a more detailed account of the meeting. Also see the draft agenda of the 26th PCB Meeting here.
Linking SRH Services to HIV Interventions in Practice: Update on 26th PCB Meeting Thematic Session
April 28, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]
The Core Working Group, tasked with preparing the thematic session of the 26th PCB Meeting on “Linking SRH Services to HIV Interventions in Practice” was formed in March and is made up of Member States, Cosponsors, PCB NGOs, representatives from the Global Fund and IPPF and the UNAIDS Secretariat. The Core WG worked on the development of the concept note and gave input into the background document which will be shared with the Board of UNAIDS at its 26th Meeting.
The 26th PCB Meeting thematic includes a plenary session with high level speakers and four breakout sessions (two sessions will run consecutively). Each breakout session has been designated to one or two UN Agencies, which along with interested members of the Core WG, will be tasked with the development of the concept notes per session and the selection of the speakers of that particular session. The four breakout sessions are: Empowering young people through comprehensive sexual reproductive education (UNESCO), Sexual and Reproductive Health services for key audiences and how to generate demand for these services (UNFPA), Funding opportunities for integrating SRH and HIV-services (The Global Fund and WHO) and Sexual and Gender based violence (UNAIDS and UNDP).
Join Effort to Rebuild World Commitment to Global AIDS Fight
April 27, 2010 by Science Speaks: HIV & TB News[PDF][print]
Originally published at sciencespeaks.wordpress.com/2010/04/28...ids-fight/
With an eye toward rebuilding international commitment to combating global AIDS, the International AIDS Society (IAS) has created a new online tool to help scientists and other HIV advocates pressure their leaders to live up to Universal Access goals at upcoming G8 & G20 meetings.
With this e-advocacy campaign, individuals can click here to send a letter to any world leader (it’s available in six languages), urging top government officials to maintain leadership on global AIDS. In the U.S., for example, the letter would go to the White House, as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and officials at the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator.
The letter—which can be customized—reads, in part:
“Despite impressive advances, however, political and financial support for universal access is waning, and important gains against the epidemic may now be lost. In some high-burden countries, patients are being turned away from clinics, and clinicians are being forced to decide who will receive lifesaving treatment – and who will not. Reducing access to ART could lead to increased HIV drug resistance and would mean millions in need will die premature, avoidable deaths.”
It urges leaders to fully fund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well as to work with G8 and G20 leaders to make sure that AIDS is high on their summit agendas.
Write now!
Filed under: Uncategorized 
Common Ground Meeting Postponed
April 27, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]
The Common Ground Meeting set to take place on May 1 and 2 in Bangkok has been postponed due to the security risk in Thailand. The new meeting date will be announced as soon as possible.
The small meeting, which is being convened by the UNAIDS PCB NGO Delegation, brings together HIV, women’s rights and gay rights activists to develop a strategy for joint advocacy around upcoming key events.
Read more about the Common Ground Meeting here.
For more information, please contact Felicita Hikuam at felicita@arasa.org.na or Vince Crisostomo at vince@7sisters.org.
EU committed to Aids fight – by Irene !Hoaës – New Era
April 27, 2010 by "Action Against AIDS" - Google News[PDF][print]
Originally published at news.google.com/news/url?f...yBc2lfXT_g
 New Era |
EU committed to Aids fight – by Irene !Hoaës
New Era WINDHOEK – A network of 10 European Union (EU) delegations in southern Africa, labelled “Action Against Aids”, met in Windhoek last week. … |
Multi-stakeholder consultation on the Implementation of the Second Independent Evaluation of UNAIDS
April 26, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]
Bangkok, March 27-29 2010
On March 27-29, UNAIDS convened a multi-stakeholder meeting bringing together a group of 60 diverse stakeholders ranging from UN agencies, governments, PLHIV, the Global Fund, PEPFAR and civil society. They met for three days to follow up on decisions made at the 25th Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) Meeting in relation to the Second Independent Evaluation(SIE) of UNAIDS and specifically discussed the UNAIDS vision, mission, goals and strategic plan, partnerships and division of labour within the UN. Rathi Ramanathan, Asia Pacific UNAIDS PCB NGO Delegate attended the meeting and submitted a letter to Michel Sidibe before his closing address to the participants urging UNAIDS’ leadership in extending the universal access commitments.
The vision and mission discussion touched upon the importance of selecting the appropriate language for these statements, and the need to consider the possibility of added stigma with certain phrasing, such as the use of an ‘AIDS Free World’ within the vision statement. The vision statement is expected to include a focus on zero new infections, universal access with specific mention of Key populations and the realization of human rights. The mission statement will keep the focus on meeting the MDGs and on having equitable universal access, along with the need for mutual accountability. It was recommended that a multi-stakeholder reference group be set up to work on the wording for the final draft document which will be presented at the 26th PCB Meeting in June 2010. The draft of the strategic plan is expected in May and will be finalized at the 27th PCB Meeting in December 2010.
High Level Meeting on AIDS hosted by DFID
April 26, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]
March 9, 2010
A High Level Meeting on AIDS was hosted by DFID on Tuesday 9th March with attendees from East and Southern Africa and beyond, including Ministers, academics, activists, pharmaceutical industry and the donor community. Participants renewed a shared, and urgent, commitment to meet the goal of Universal Access to comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care and support – championed by the UK in 2005; they also agreed that AIDS must remain high on the international agenda, as we head towards the MDG summit and G8 and G20 meetings of 2010 – the year the goal set by the G8 falls due.
The meeting highlighted the need to accelerate action to achieve Universal Access, to meet the needs of the 10 million people waiting for HIV treatment, and “turn off the tap” of new HIV infections through evidence and rights-based interventions as well as expanding access to treatment. Transforming harmful gender norms and stopping violence against women is central to achieving Universal Access.
The group recognised the need for health systems that effectively deliver both MNCH services and services for women, men and children who are vulnerable to and living with HIV: we need to integrate efforts to achieve MDGs 4, 5 and 6. To achieve this we need financing for scale-up, through the Global Fund and other mechanisms. But equally we need leadership – political and at all levels of society.
Continue reading the “Record of High Level Meeting on Universal Access in East and Southern Africa” or click below to read other documents related to the meeting.
Declaration of shared principles: A commitment by all meeting participants
Access to antiretroviral therapy: The road ahead
Prevention revolution: Zero new infections and treatment for everyone who needs it
Voices from the High Level Meeting on Universal Access: Selected quotes from speakers at the meeting
Accounting for Universal Access: The 2010 Reviews
April 26, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]
In February 2010, UNAIDS called for an international effort to renew commitment for countries to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
“Countries are urged to undertake an open and inclusive consultation process—bringing together governments, development partners, civil society organizations, networks of people living with HIV and community groups to review the progress made in reaching country targets for Universal Access.” - Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, UNAIDS
UNAIDS has produced the first information note outlining the process and a time-line for the implementation of the UNAIDS UA reviews at the country and regional levels. The review aims to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to take stock of “steps towards national targets, identify current obstacles and decide together about what needs to be done now in order to achieve universal access and ultimately the MDGs.”
Read Accounting for Universal Access: The 2010 Reviews, Information note #1 on the process
All questions on this can be directed to Richard Burzynski, Senior Advisor, Universal Access Partnerships – burzynskir@unaids.org
ETHIOPIA: Feeding family unity
April 24, 2010 by IRIN Plusnews Service[PDF][print]
Originally published at www.plusnews.org/report.asp...rtID=88904
ADDIS ABABA, 23 April 2010 (PLUSNEWS) – Grandmother Anchilalo Ejigu was distraught when her daughter died two years ago, leaving behind two children under five; the family’s other relatives refused to take in the children, so at the age of 50, Anchilalo became a parent all over again.
SOUTH AFRICA: Less sex, more violence for teens
April 23, 2010 by IRIN Plusnews Service[PDF][print]
Originally published at www.plusnews.org/report.asp...rtID=88913
JOHANNESBURG, 23 April 2010 (PLUSNEWS) – Schoolchildren in South Africa are having less sex, and those that are, are doing it more safely, the second National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey by the Medical Research Council (MRC) has found.
ZIMBABWE: “I shout; I speak out on issues concerning women living with HIV”
April 22, 2010 by IRIN Plusnews Service[PDF][print]
Originally published at www.plusnews.org/report.asp...rtID=88893
HARARE, 22 April 2010 (PLUSNEWS) – Evelyn Mashamba is one of Zimbabwe’s most outspoken gender and AIDS activists and has being living with HIV for the past 10 years. She told IRIN/PlusNews how being HIV-positive propelled her into the movement to fight for the rights of women living with the virus.
COTE D’IVOIRE: A dollar or less per trick
April 21, 2010 by IRIN Plusnews Service[PDF][print]
Originally published at www.plusnews.org/report.asp...rtID=88880
ABIDJAN, 21 April 2010 (PLUSNEWS) – A small group of nervous looking girls hang about in the bustling bus station in Adjamé, a working-class neighbourhood of Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire’s commercial hub, carefully watched by their ‘vieux pères’ their protectors or pimps who hold machetes or knives. A trick is often negotiated for barely a dollar, and generally without a condom.
