Launching the ARV roll-out debate into the public arena.

Towards universal ARV access: achievements and challenges in Free State Province, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE To study the progress and challenges with regard to universal antiretroviral (ARV) access in Free State Province, South Africa. METHODS Data from the first 4 years of the public sector ARV roll-out and selected health system indicators were used. Data were collected from the public sector ARV database in Free State Province for new patients on ARVs, average waiting times and median ...

SAMA leads the way with ARV roll-out.

The ARV roll out and the disability grant: a South African dilemma?

BACKGROUND Prior to the antiretroviral (ARV) drug roll out in 2004, people living with HIV (PLHIV) in South Africa received disability grants when they were defined as "AIDS-sick". In the absence of available and effective medication, a diagnosis of AIDS portended disability. The disability grant is a critical component of South Africa's social security system, and plays an important role in ad...

Government 'encouraging snake-oil salesman' Rath.

IZINDABA Bowing to legal pressure, the Medicines Control Council (MCC) has ordered a probe into 'clinical trials' by controversial entrepreneur Matthias Rath of his widely touted 'wonder vitamins' that allegedly outperform antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. However, it has baulked at publicly endorsing antiretroviral therapy (ART) as 'best practice'. Nor is it likely to unless ordered by a court of la...

Calls for Stricter Legislation and Fear in the European Immigrant Community: Reflections of the Public Charge Debate Ongoing in the United States; Comment on “A Crisis of Humanitarianism: Refugees at the Gates of Europe”

In the editorial, “A Crisis of Humanitarianism: Refugees at the Gates of Europe,” Marianna Fotaki elegantly highlights the changing dynamics of governmental policy toward refugees, forced migrants into Europe and the move away from the principles of humanitarianism.1 The perceived threats to economy, securi...