What We’re Reading 11/24/09

Nov 24th, 2009 11:55 AM UTC
By Robyn Mitchell

The New York Times: AIDS: Study in Rural Uganda Finds Benefits in Treating AIDS Patients at Home
A new study this week found that treating AIDS patients at home is less expensive and equally effective as having them come into a clinic. The study, which was conducted in rural Uganda, is significant as five million Africans are expected to need AIDS drugs in the next few years, with most living in rural areas far from clinics and medical staff. In an accompanying editorial, two authors from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria praised the study, saying evaluations of cost-effectiveness were “more important than ever” since the need for AIDS treatment far outstrips the money to pay for it.

BBC News: HIV infections and deaths fall as drugs have impact
A new report by the World Health Organization and the Joint UN Program on HIV/Aids (UNAids) shows that there has been a significant drop in the number of new HIV infections since 2007 due to better access to powerful drug treatments, including Anti-retroviral therapy. The report estimates that since the availability of effective treatment in 1996, some 2.9 million lives have been saved. While the total number of people worldwide infected by HIV has risen from 33 million in 2007 to 33.4 million, the report maintains that this figure has increased due to the fact that fewer are dying annually with HIV.

Business Daily: Don’t limit women to gender debate (Op-Ed, Frattini)
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini argues that the promotion of women’s rights at the global level should not be limited to treating the female population as a gender that is discriminated against and must be protected. Rather, writes Frattini, “It should focus above all on the value of women as pro-active subjects, irreplaceable and effective vectors of development and peace.” The Minister calls upon the power of the media to contribute to the elimination of social stereotypes and promote a greater understanding of the role played by women around the world.

Daily Nation: Ethiopia: Britain and U.S. Urge Probe on Aid Abuse
The Daily Nation reports that the U.S. and Britain have expressed concern over the alleged politicization of humanitarian aid in Ethiopia ahead of elections and called for immediate investigation. Ethiopia’s main opposition group accused the government of using its access to foreign-funded, anti-poverty programs to gain support for the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. According to the Nation, Ethiopian authorities denied the allegation, calling them ‘baseless.’ Remarked one government official, “We are always doing our humanitarian work regardless of any discrimination.”

Times of Zambia: Zambia: Let US Fight Poverty, Says Kanganja
A Zambian official argued Monday that there is need to fight poverty and improve social protection if human development is to be achieved in Africa. Kanganja made these remarks at the official opening of the Southern Africa regional policy round table, where he called on African leaders to realize that “no sustainable economic growth could be achieved in the absence of good social policies.” Said Kanganja, “Social policies provide vital life support mechanisms for sustained economic growth…In Africa, the biggest challenge is to fight poverty.”

IPS: “Water Gap” to Widen Dramatically by 2030
A new report from the 2030 Water Resource Group found that a balanced approach of demand- and supply-side measures are needed to meet a growing “water gap” in which global water demand will be 40 percent more than supply by 2030. The group projects that population growth and economic development will lead to one-third of the world’s population having half the water they need. According to the report, “There is no single water crisis. Different countries, even in the same region, face very different problems, and generalizations are of little help.”

Business Day: Africa: Continent ‘Must Develop a Common Growth Strategy’
Egyptian ambassador to South Africa, Mohamed Zayed said that African states are not devising a clear developmental strategy for regional economic communities, leading to international partners thinking the continent does not have a common approach and a vision for growth. Zayed further “bemoaned the continent’s inability to agree on a common developmental strategy that could direct and build on China’s partnership.” Said Zayed, “While there are opportunities for growth between China and Africa, the creation of better trading environment between and within African states was even more essential for growth.”

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