What We’re Reading: Women’s health without women’s rights?

Jun 16th, 2010 10:55 AM UTC
By Robyn Mitchell

Africa fans unite to raise hope of a cohesive continent – The World Cup has been called “a catalyst for change,” giving Africa a new sense of common identity and pride. Marc Gbaffou of the African Diaspora Forum is optimistic the games are going to unite the continent and produce new ideas, saying “In South Africa we’re talking about ubuntu – humanity…Beyond the competition, football is bringing people together. We’re all looking at the legacy of the World Cup. I think this tournament is going to add some flavor of African humanity.” (David Smith, The Guardian)

Nurses as good as doctors in AIDS care monitoring – Nurses are as good as doctors at monitoring treatment for AIDS patients, and shifting this role to them could help ease a critical shortage of health workers, experts said on Wednesday. A study into so-called “task-shifting” in HIV care in South Africa found virtually no difference in outcomes for patients taking AIDS drugs under the care of a nurse or a doctor, prompting the World Health Organization to propose more health-care workers take on the responsibility. (Kate Kelland, Reuters)

Discovering the sociological reasons behind the AIDS epidemic – In her new book, Helen Epstein argues that the main reason for the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS in east and southern Africa is due to long-term concurrent relationships. By studying the behavioral and sociological reasons for this, Epstein hopes to educate both the locals and development agencies across Africa in order to halt the spread of this devastating virus. (Mark King, The Guardian)

UN Plan for women’s health lacks focus on rights, says activist – Health activist Serra Sippel argues that the UN’s new action plan to reduce maternal mortality is missing the one element that will make it work: Human rights. Each one of the medical causes of maternal death can be prevented or treated by respecting women’s human rights in health policies and delivery of services, and addressing systemic gender inequality. “A human rights approach is critical to achieving the MDGs, and to the success of all global health policies,” says Sippel. (Huffington Post)

Global Fund freezes Zambia aid over corruption concern – More than $300 million of health funding to Zambia is being suspended by the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria due to concerns about alleged corruption in connection with one or more grants to the health ministry. The Global Fund said it would continue paying for life-saving treatments, though money will be released direct to suppliers instead of the Ministry. This is not the first time the country has lost aid amid corruption claims. (Daily Nation, Elias Mbao)

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