HIV infections

One person dies from AIDS-related illness every minute

UNAIDS says the AIDS pandemic can be ended by 2030 if more is done to fund initiatives and protect human rights. In a new report released this week, the organisation says if world leaders stick to their commitments the public health threat can be ended. Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York. Meanwhile, new HIV infections are rising in three regions, namely the Middle East and […]

24 July, 2024 51

World

HIV breakthrough: drug trial shows injection twice a year is 100% effective against infection

By Linda-Gail Bekker, University of Cape Town A large clinical trial in South Africa and Uganda has shown that a twice-yearly injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection. The trial tested whether the six-month injection of lenacapavir would provide better protection against HIV infection than two other drugs, both daily pills. All three medications are pre-exposure prophylaxis (or […]

3 July, 2024 50

Africa

Africa inches closer to manufacturing anti-HIV rings

By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency After approval for the use of vaginal rings by nearly a dozen countries, Africa is inching closer to local manufacturing of the world’s first fully woman-controlled HIV prevention device. South Africa will be the first country on the continent to make and distribute the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR) following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between South Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturer and medtech company, Kiara Health, […]

4 December, 2023 26