The Guardian: Mozambique leads from the front in battle against Aids — Innovative technologies to quickly and accurately diagnose and monitor HIV are being rolled out in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo. New technology will enable health workers to monitor levels of the virus in the blood, and can determine when a patient needs to switch from first-line to second-line antiretrovirals. The equipment is adapted for low-tech settings, and patients will be able to be tested and treated nearer their homes. New machines that will speed up the diagnosis and results process are also necessary to accurately test children, which remains a challenge in much of the country. (Lucy Lamble)
Devex: World Water Day, I love you, now change – World Water Day, on March 22, is a time to reflect on how the water sector is doing and what changes are needed. The water and sanitation crisis is still vast and much work is needed with as many as four billion people affected by poor sanitation conditions and as many as 1.8 billion people without reliable water services. Efforts to ensure lasting and affordable water and sanitation service delivery must evolve and innovate to meet the immensity of this challenge. Making sure safe drinking water is reaching everyone and effectively monitoring impact should be top priorities to reach broad and bold results. (John Sauer)
BBC: Kenya condom advert pulled after religious complaints – A TV advertisement promoting condom use in Kenya has been withdrawn after an outcry by religious leaders. Christian and Muslim clerics said the advert encouraged infidelity, rather that safe sex to curb HIV/Aids. The advert was part of a series of anti-HIV campaigns that health officials have been running in Kenya for years. Around 1.6 million people out of Kenya’s population of 41.6 million are living with HIV and up to 30% of married couples had other partners, making it essential for people to use condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids.
AllAFrica: Scaling Up Community Health Efforts in Nigeria – The Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Mr. Bekele Geleta, today praised the Government of Nigeria and its partners for the progress being made in polio eradication. Mr. Geleta called for increased investment in community based health approaches to provide the most vulnerable population with equitable access to quality healthcare, information and services. Earlier this month, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan reiterated his government’s commitment to eradicating polio from the country by 2015. He promised continued collaboration with its development partners to overcome the challenges that currently prevent immunizations from taking place in some parts of the country.
