Blood donation drives have been held in Kenya to meet the demand that has been caused due to the continuing post-election violence. In wake of the high demand the shortage of regular blood donors has only become more apparent. Donations must be screened for HIV to ensure they are safe for transfusion, and thus many do not donate as they fear learning of their HIV status. Campaingners are encouraging people to check their status and working to disolve myths and fears about the virus. “…about 10 percent of the 80 pints of blood collected during an average one-day blood drive usually had to be incinerated because of the presence of HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B or C.” (IRIN).
Infectious diseases kill a surprisingly large number of women during pregnancy, according to a study published Feb. 19 that suggests many maternal deaths in the developing world are preventable. The study in the journal PLoS Medicine showed that many more women in a large Mozambique hospital died from four infectious diseases – AIDS, malaria, bronchial pneumonia and meningitis – than from conditions directly linked to pregnancy. The diseases appear to play a similar role across sub-Saharan Africa, a region that accounts for a lion's share of the estimated 500,000 maternal deaths worldwide each year, the researchers said. (Reuters)
GlaxoSmithKline cut the prices on its range of HIV drugs offered to developing countries, marking the fifth such discount since 1997. The most significant reduction was an almost 40% reduction of Ziagen, the drug recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a first- and second-line treatment particularly for children. The average discount across its 14 not-for-profit HIV medicines was 21%. (Reuters)
The International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies announced during the Eastern Africa Partnership Meeting in Entebbe, Uganda, an appeal for USD 65 million to support Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Eastern Africa in fighting HIV over the next three years. The program aims to reach 17 million people with information on prevention over the three years, provide care and support to nearly 30,000 people living with HIV and 130,000 orphans and vulnerable children.
President George W Bush says the US will help provide 5.2 million mosquito nets as part of a broader campaign to tackle malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. He said it would provide free nets for every Tanzanian child aged one to five. Malaria is the main cause of death for children in Africa, killing a child every 30 seconds, the United Nations says. The US, Tanzania and the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria will distribute the nets. (BBC)
