Integrated programme on HIV/TB in Nepal

CNS image library/2010

Chhatra Karki, CNS Correspondent, Nepal
There was no integrated government programme for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and TB in Nepal until six years ago. Therefore, treatment used to be complex for PLHIV when diagnosed with TB. Pranesh (name changed), an HIV positive person in Kathmandu, says, “At that time, HIV positive people suffering from TB would have to visit different healthcare facilities. Now, the situation has changed.”

HIV has claimed 500,000 lives, government official

Garikai Chaunza, CNS Correspondent, Zimbabwe

(First published in New Zimbabwe) 
At least half a million Zimbabweans have died of HIV/AIDS related illnesses over the past 16 years, a senior government health official has said. The death toll has however ebbed significantly over the years as access to treatment has improved. “We estimate that more than half a million people have died of HIV related infections or conditions,” the head of the HIV and TB  unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Owen Mugurungi, told NewZimbabwe.com

Home demolition victims denied ARVs

Garikai Chaunza, CNS Correspondent, Zimbabwe 

(First published in New Zimbabwe)
Victims of Epworth housing demolitions are being denied HIV/AIDS treatment by local health authorities because they do not have medical records which they claim were destroyed during the forced evictions. Some victims, who are still residing at their dilapidated houses following a High Court injunction banning their eviction, said they have gone for almost a month without accessing anti-retroviral drugs.

When will health-for-all become a reality in UP?

Citizen News Service - CNS
[Hindi] Although health-for-all has been the mission of government of India as well since years, a large part of our population reels under the shadow of life-threatening, preventable diseases and unable to access quality standard care. Even if they manage to get healthcare the expenditure pushes them into poverty.

Stop water privatisation and strengthen public water supply

Dr Sandeep Pandey
Photo credit: Jittima J/CNS

A new report by Corporate Accountability International uncovers how the World Bank uses ponzi-style marketing tactics to sell privatization projects around the globe that it is also positioned to profit from. "Water privatization has been a disaster,” said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Magsaysay Awardee and national vice president of Socialist Party (India). "We must prevent the World Bank and corporations like Veolia from expanding their reach and block any potential project."

Human Rights Day: What is wrong with a rights-based approach to TB care?

Shobha Shukla, Citizen News Service - CNS

panel discussion on TB & Human rights
Photo credit: S Shukla/ CNS

Well nothing! In fact it is the most correct approach to deal with the global TB crisis of epidemic proportions. And yet everything, as we are a long distance away from putting it to good use. In 2013, TB killed 1.5 million people, out of the estimated 9.0 million people who developed it. Many social, economic and structural barriers drive the TB epidemic in high TB burden countries including India, which accounts for 24% of its global incidence.

Thalassaemia on the blind spot? Call to improve prevention, treatment and care

Shobha Shukla, Citizen News Service - CNS

Dr Michael Angastiniotis
(CNS image library)

"It is not only about preventing new births of thalassemic infants; about chelation, about blood transfusion and about availability of services needed; but also about preventing complications related to Thalassaemia. We cannot take half baked measures. Because if the patient dies prematurely, it will be a huge waste of national resources—10-15 years worth of investment just goes down the drain. Inadequate chelation and blood transfusion can result in hospitalization in intensive care and cost a lot. Patients should not only be kept alive but also grow up to be productive members of society. Besides the expertise, we also need experienced and enthusiatic physicians, and cooperative patients who are willing to take treatment as they grow up" said Dr Michael Angastiniotis, Medical Advisor to Thalassaemia International Federation.

Breaking taboos, reaping dividends

Swapna Majumdar, CNS Special Correspondent

Photo credit: CNS Image Library

Consider these statistics: Globally, 370,000 million children are married every day. By 2020, an additional 142 million girls will be married before their 18th  birthday. 6 million adolescent pregnancies occur in South Asia-- 90% of them inside marriage. Further, 34% of all unsafe abortions in the Asia Pacific region happen to women below the age of 25.