SECTION27

The International Trade Union Confederation addresses letter to the Ministry of Labour and Emir of Qatar in regard to severe discrimination on the basis of HIV status

editor — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:07:44 +0000

"Mr", a SECTION27 client, has faced severe discrimination by the State of Qatar and Al Jazeera English on the basis of his HIV status. The International Trade Union Confederation recently came to his support in a letter that begins: "Your Majesty, The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which represents 175 millions workers in 151 countries worldwide, is deeply concerned regarding the recent humiliating detention, dismissal and deportation of Mr, a South African Employee of Al Jazeera English Online (“Al-Jazeera”) on the basis of his HIV status. This violation was recently brought to our attention by SECTION27, a renowned South African human rights organization."

SECTION27 welcomes today’s launch of Corruption Watch. We call for a mass mobilisation to expose and prosecute corruption.

editor — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:25:08 +0000

Today, January 26 2012, SECTION27 welcomes the launch of Corruption Watch, an independent civil society-led organisation committed to strengthening the fight against corruption in South Africa. We offer our support to its Director, Staff and Board in the challenges that lie ahead. Successfully fighting corruption in South Africa will require bravery, vision and an organisation in which millions of people can place confidence. Our country’s future – particularly the fight against poverty and inequality – depends on it. Start today by signing the pledge at www.corruptionwatch.org.za

The newly formed National Health Insurance Coalition (NHIC) gives civil society voice on National Health Insurance

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:14:15 +0000

National Health Insurance holds the potential to drastically improve health care across South Africa; civil society is organising to secure its success.

Key members of civil society recently formed the National Health Insurance Coalition (NHIC) to collectively respond to and help develop National Health Insurance (NHI). The NHIC also intends to jointly endorse key submissions on NHI, encourage civil society participation in the NHI policy process and launch an advocacy campaign, among other things.

This week, the NHIC published a discussion document to facilitate exchange over the Green Paper on NHI. On 7 – 8 December 2011 the Department of Health (DoH) held an international consultation on NHI, during this consultation the NHIC held a successful side meeting to discuss the way forward.

To inquire about the National Health Insurance Coalition or join our efforts email: coordinator@phmsouthafrica.org. We can go far together.

The 7th meeting of the BEMF

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:49:30 +0000

The 7th meeting of the Budget and Expenditure Monitoring Forum was held on 21 and 22 November 2011 in Johannesburg. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a clear picture of where South Africa is at in terms of its financing, budgeting and expenditure for the response to HIV/AIDS. The key points of discussion and findings of the meeting were:

The findings of the National AIDS Spending Assessment (NASA), which amongst other things showed that South Africa spent more than R13 billion on the response to HIV/AIDS and TB in 2009/10. The meeting heard that while expenditure was on the increase this was inequitably spread between provinces with those provinces with the highest incidence rates often spending the least per person living with HIV.
Provincial departments of health have consistently underspent on allocations for HIV/AIDS programmes over the last three years. Poor financial management, which results in unauthorized and irregular expenditure are then compounding this poor spending performance.
Even though the costing of the NSP 2012-2016 has been the most complete to-date, full funding of the response to HIV/AIDS, TB and STIs will require detailed costings of provincial strategic and/or operational plans. These costings must then be integrated into provincial budget processes in order to ensure that allocations are based on achieving the targets outlined in the plans and are not made on an incremental basis.
Funding for all social sector services, including health, are going to be severely constrained over the next three years due to the impact of the global economic crisis. Provision is being made, however, to ensure that sufficient resources are being made available for the response to HIV/AIDS. However, with the Global Fund cancelling round 11 this will not be the case for the rest of the region and many countries face the possibility of having their programmes collapse
Overcoming the funding crisis will require a shift in the way in which we invest in health generally and HIV/AIDS more specifically. One possible mechanism would be to implement the New Investment Framework put forward by UNAIDS. Another would be the implementation of a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) which could raise between 200 and 300 billion US$ for global development
Read more...

TAC and SECTION27 release the first issue of our magazine: NSP Review

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:25:44 +0000

On World AIDS Day 2011 TAC and SECTION27 launched the first issue of their joint publication, the NSP Review. In this, and in future issues, we aim to provide quality analysis and monitoring of the implementation of the new NSP. It is our hope that this publication will increase awareness of, and critical engagement with the NSP. We will try to keep it relevant with evidence from new research and feedback from the various district offices of the Treatment Action Campaign as well as organisations with which we work closely. Our vision is a vibrant, evidence-based publication that will help all stake holders drive a more successful response to HIV, STIs and TB. We encourage you to get in touch with us should you want to contribute to future editions of NSP Review. You can e-mail the editor at nsp@tac.org.za nsp@tac/org.za.

Open letter to HIVEX limited from SECTION27 and the Treatment Action Campaign

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:56:41 +0000

Today, World Aids Day 2011, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and SECTION27 submit this open letter and make the following demands to HIVEX Limited (HIVEX). Despite the lack of any scientific evidence that HIVEX treatment is an effective treatment for HIV, HIVEX continues to promote and provide it for this purpose. It is unlawful and deeply unethical to advertise that HIVEX is an effective treatment for HIV in the absence of such evidence. Antiretroviral treatment remains the only treatment that is scientifically proven to be effective against HIV.

Al Jazeera English (“Al Jazeera”) and State Of Qatar (“Qatar”) accused of human rights abuses of people living with HIV

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:24:30 +0000

On the eve of World AIDS Day we are publicising an important case concerning vicious and humiliating human rights abuses on the basis of a person’s HIV status by a respected international media organisation, Al Jazeera. These violations are contrary to key principles of South Africa’s own response to HIV as well as well as the strategy of the leading United Nations body dealing with HIV; the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) aims to achieve zero discrimination by 2015. Enquiries: Contact Nikki Stein on 011 356 4100 or stein@section27.org.za stein@section27.org.za

SECTION27 PRESS ALERT: Al Jazeera English and State of Qatar accused of human rights abuses of people living with HIV

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:50:53 +0000

• Al Jazeera English and State of Qatar accused of violating rights of South African journalist living with HIV • South African delegation to International Labour Organization (ILO) requested to file complaint against State of Qatar On the eve of World AIDS Day 2011, SECTION27 invites you to a media conference that will provide details about how international TV news channel, Al Jazeera English, acted in concert with its owner, the State of Qatar, to violate the rights of a senior South African journalist. Date: Wednesday, 30 November 2011 Time: 14h00 Venue: SECTION27, 6th floor, Braamfontein Centre, 23 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein

High Court rules in favour of the Medicines Control Council

editor — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:11:50 +0000

On 15 November 2011 the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled in favour of the Medicines Control Council (MCC) and others in a matter concerning Adcock Ingram’s resistance to the MCC’s decision to cancel the registration of drugs containing dextropropoxyphene (DPP). The MCC made the decision in April 2011 after coming to the conclusion that the drugs pose a danger to the public. Previously the state attorney, purporting to act on behalf of the MCC and others, entered into a settlement with Adcock Ingram that allowed the company to continue selling the drugs. This settlement was made an order of court. On 15 November 2011 the court set aside the settlement. The case is important because it has resulted in the removal of products from the market that the MCC and other stringent drug regulatory authorities have deemed unsafe. Importantly, it reaffirms the MCC’s statutory and constitutional duties to protect public health by ensuring that medicines are safe and basing its decisions on the available evidence. The judgment rightly places the health and safety of the public over profits of the pharmaceutical company. company.

SECTION27’s analysis of the MTBPS and 2011/12 adjustments budget

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:18:22 +0000

On 25 October 2011 the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, tabled the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) at a sitting of the National Assembly. The MTBPS broadly outlines Government’s proposed spending plans for the next three years. It also provides an opportunity for Government to make adjustments to this year’s budget to cater for changes in expenditure and provide for unanticipated expenses.