South Africa's new health minister called Monday for renewed global efforts to find an AIDS vaccine, signalling a sharp change from her controversial predecessor in a country with
The new health minister in South Africa veered sharply from her predecessor's opinions yesterday calling for urgent measures to try and find an AIDS vaccine.
"It was imperative to get ahead of the curve of this epidemic ten years ago. We all for various reasons have lost ground," Barbara Hogan said at the opening of an international meeting of scientists searching for ways to prevent AIDS.
About Aids
AIDS or HIV is an epidemic disease, a potentially deadly infection that can be prevented with precautions. AIDS/HIV symptoms manifest long after the actual infection occurs.
AIDS or HIV is an epidemic disease, a potentially deadly infection that can be prevented with precautions. AIDS/HIV symptoms manifest long after the actual infection occurs.
Her remarks marked a contrast to those of her predecessor, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who was derided as "Dr Beetroot" for championing use of the vegetable to fight the disease.
Hogan took over the ministry in a political shake-up last month, in a move hailed by activists as an end to Tshabalala-Msimang's policies that for years questioned whether HIV causes AIDS.
Some 5.5 million people in the country of 48 million are living with the disease.
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How to use a condom
This Interactive provides step by step visual aid showing how to correctly use condoms which can prevent transmission of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy
This Interactive provides step by step visual aid showing how to correctly use condoms which can prevent transmission of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy
"This is a country with the greatest number of HIV infections in the world. Nowhere else is the need for a vaccine greater than right here," said conference chair Lynn Morris.
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Scientists Identify In-built Weapon Against HIV
scientists at the University of Southern California claim have moved a step further towards utilising the body’s in-built weapon against HIV by identifying the atomic structure its active portion.
scientists at the University of Southern California claim have moved a step further towards utilising the body’s in-built weapon against HIV by identifying the atomic structure its active portion.
Recent clinical trials, including one launched in South Africa in 2007 and one in America were stopped amid great disappointment after the injections were found ineffective.
Experts believe that a vaccine is the only way to defeat the pandemic, but say that any breakthrough is still years away.
Source-AFP
RAS/SK
