Sunday, February 15, 2009

Good news and bad news

South Africa has an estimated 5.7 million people infected with HIV — the most of any country in the world

South Africa's health minister on Tuesday promised a dramatic increase in treatment for AIDS victims to overcome the legacy of a decade of governmental denial of the epidemic.

People in a number of African countries have suffered badly from the health policies of their governments. Hogan's predecessor promoted the use of garlic and lemons rather than conventional AIDS drugs so this change in policy is very good news for the people of South Africa.

In Zimbabwe the situation continues to deteriorate.

Doctors are leaving Zimbabwe, causing clinics to close, as the health system collapses and Africa’s second-worst cholera epidemic spreads in the countryside, aid groups said. The exodus of medical professionals is compounding a “near total devastation” of Zimbabwe’s health-care system.

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