LATIN AMERICA: Prevention Is Weakest Link in AIDS Fight

Daniela Estrada* SANTIAGO, Jul 22 2010 (IPS) – Many Latin American countries have made strides in legislation and policies that promote sex education and health services for young people, which are essential for fighting AIDS. But implementation has been slow…

AFRICA: Maputo Protocol a Work in Progress

NAIROBI, Aug 20 2010 (IPS) – Kenyans are still euphoric over the referendum endorsing a progressive new constitution; but the heat generated by its opponents around their main rallying point abortion rights is a reminder of the wide gap between…

Financing Public Health in Africa

NAIROBI, Sep 14 2010 (IPS) – Campaigners for increased health financing welcome the commitment by African Union member states to direct more resources to health. But the needs of the continent seem to dwarf available budgets. A busy clinic in…

Hope for Expanded Protection Against TB

Aimable Twahirwa interviews ANTHONY HAWKRIDGE, tuberculosis researcher KIGALI, Oct 8 2010 (IPS) – Despite the availability of a vaccine, 1.3 million people worldwide died from tuberculosis (TB) in 2008, according to the World Health Organisation. Most of them lived in…

Cancer Treatment Out of Reach for Ugandan Women

Rosebell Kagumire SOROTI, Uganda, Nov 4 2010 (IPS) – Josephine Adongo s heart leapt when she heard that two doctors from Kampala were offering free medical exams in Soroti. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer at a regional hospital more…

PHILIPPINES: ‘Wanted, Full-Time Mothers’

Kara Santos MANILA, Jan 25 2011 (IPS) – It s definitely not your typical job advertisement. Wanted: Mothers; must be mature, strong and stable, self-confident, humorous and know how to cook; must have a positive and cheerful attitude towards life;…

KENYA: Budget Too Small to Cover Health Needs

Miriam Gathigah NAIROBI, Mar 10 2011 (IPS) – Professor Anyang Nyong o might have guessed that a trip to the United States for treatment for prostate cancer would provoke a furore: he is the Minister for Medical Services. Health activists…

INDIA: Fukushima Revives Debate Over Nuclear Liability

Ranjit Devraj NEW DELHI, Mar 30 2011 (IPS) – The Fukushima disaster has prompted calls to review legislation passed by the Indian parliament in August 2010 that capped compensation payable, in the event of a nuclear accident, at 320 million…