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Starting antiretroviral therapy earlier, before the development of symptoms, is the most likely way to reduce the high death rates after treatment initiation seen in people with HIV in resource-limited settings, two large cohort analyses show. The studies also show that the major disadvantage of starting treatment late an increased risk of death may persist for some years, burdening already overstretched health systems with illness that could be avoided by earlier treatment.

Two years ago Mopeli Mofoka, 39, left his wife and child in Maseru, Lesotho's capital, and joined the more than 50,000 men pushed by poverty and unemployment in their home country to seek work on mines in neighbouring South Africa. It was his second stint as a miner the first had been 15 years earlier. This time he was hired as a sub-contractor, which meant that despite testing positive for HIV during his preliminary health screening he did not have access to the on-site health services available to mine employees. When his health began deteriorating 18 months later, he went to a local public hospital but was turned away because he lacked a South African identity document. His only option was to return home, where he is receiving treatment for tuberculosis (TB) at a government clinic run in partnership with international medical aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontires (MSF) in Morija, about 50km south of Maseru, the capital.

You can eat the healthiest, freshest, most nutrient-rich diet possible, but still wind up chronically ill from diseases related to malnutrition. Why? Your digestive system may be functioning less than optimally an increasingly common occurrence as you age. The experts say health complaints that plague ageing adults from impaired immunity to digestive distress and nutritional deficiencies can be traced to a key underlying factor: poor digestive health. They also say digestive health is important no matter what your age. There is even a website devoted to theissue, (www.digestivehealth.org). It says most people experience digestive health problems at one time or another, and usually consider their symptoms merely an inconvenience. But the digestive system is extremely important as it functions to support the rest of the body and deliver nutrients throughout the body. When it malfunctions, the entire body is at risk.

Application period: Friday 20th February - Friday 27th February (applications close 12:00pm)
Short listing Session: Thursday 5th March
Short listed candidates to be informed: Thursday 12th March
Interview dates: Monday 16th/Tuesday 17th/Wednesday 18th March
Unsuccessful Applicants Informed: Wednesday 25th March
Anticipated Start date: 1st April or as soon as possible thereafter

Candidate microbicide PRO 2000 cuts HIV transmission by 30 percent, falling just short of the one-third required to be deemed a success. But scientists say this trial offers proof that the concept of a vaginal gel to block HIV is possible. For the first time in over a decade of research, a vaginal gel called PRO 2000 has been show to cut HIV transmission by 30 percent. Principal investigator Professor Gita Ramjee described this as extremely hopeful at the simultaneous launch of the results in Durban and Montreal, Canada, yesterday (9 Feb). This is the first microbicide study in over a decade that shows promise. It suggests that we are on the right track and we will be able to develop a women-controlled product to prevent HIV in the future, said Ramjee, who heads HIV research at the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Countries in Africa should promote maternal, infant and child health and report on progress, in order to curb high death rates on the continent, according to the African Union. There are continents where women give birth and it is a pleasant experience because they are bringing life, said AU Commissioner for Social Affairs Bience Gawana. In our continent, unfortunately, that is not always the case. Women also bring death to themselves and their children. Progress on the promotion of maternal, infant and child health featured during the 12th African Union Heads of State and Government Summit, which ended on Wednesday. Ms Gawana said the AU had agreed to launch a continent-wide campaign to address the issue.

Many factors can cause headaches and the pulsing pain they bring is no respecter of age. It is essential to find the cause to ensure proper treatment, writes Ilse Ferreira.

Closing date: IGLHRC will begin reviewing applicants on February 20, 2009 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is committed to working with local, regional and international partners to fight human rights abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide. In mid-2007, IGLHRC opened a regional office for Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, to more effectively manage its operations on the continent and to build partnerships with African LGBT and human rights organizations. The Africa Program Coordinator will manage this office and IGLHRC's Africa program.

For many women, pregnancy is a time of anticipation and celebration, but for those living positively it can be frustrating when their status and not their pregnancy takes centre stage. Being pregnant and positive often comes with its own brand of stigma. In a study among HIV-positive women in the United States, released at the international AIDS conference in Mexico in 2008, about half the respondents thought HIV-positive women could have children if they received appropriate care. But roughly the same number said they felt society strongly discouraged them from doing so, revealing what researchers said was a dichotomy between the women's views about their bodies and society's.

Health Minister, Barbara Hogan and the Pharmacy Stakeholders Forum (PSF) have agreed to settle their dispensing fees issue amicably, the organisation announced on Tuesday. According to a statement issued by PSF, Hogan met PSF representatives on Monday. It was decided it was in the interests all concerned to solve the matter amicably. All parties agreed that medicines must be affordable and accessible to consumers, the PSF said.