Also in Global Health news: PEPFAR in Swaziland; GSK HIV patent pool; Pediatric ARVs in Uganda; PNG declares health emergency; Israeli, ECOWAS agreement; Somali children

Sep 10 2009

PEPFAR Donates Computers To Swaziland's Ministry of Health

PEPFAR on Wednesday donated eight computers to Swaziland's Ministry of Health to aid in the country's ability to track the progress of the nation's HIV/AIDS programs, the Swazi Observer reports. According to the newspaper, the computers will be distributed to regional clinics across the country (Masilela, 9/10).

GlaxoSmithKline Spokesman Defends Company's Position On Patent Pools For HIV In Guardian Letter-To-The-Editor

In a Guardian letter-to-the editor, Chris Strutt of GlaxoSmithKline responds to the newspaper's recent coverage of the GSK's position on a patent pool for HIV medicines. "Contrary to the impression given in your report … GSK has been in discussions with UNITAID to better understand their objectives regarding an HIV patent pool," Strutt writes, adding, "We are in no way complacent about HIV … Fighting this disease requires a multilateral approach and we are fully committed to playing our part" (Strutt, 9/10).

IRIN Examines Why Child ARVs In Uganda Could Go To Waste

IRIN examines why a "large supply" of pediatric antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in Uganda might expire and go unused. "Fewer than a quarter of the 125,000 Ugandan children who need life-prolonging [ARVs] have access to it, mainly because of stigma and inadequate education of parents, say specialists," IRIN reports (9/10).

PNG Declares Health Emergency As Triple Disease Outbreak Claims Lives Of 100

Agence France-Presse/AsiaOne reports that health officials in Papua New Guinea are "rac[ing] to contain a triple outbreak of cholera, flu and dysentery which has claimed at least 100 lives and prompted [health officials to declare] a health emergency" on Wednesday. "Health inspectors were ordered to close schools and markets, dig toilets and restrict people's movements in remote parts of three provinces, The National newspaper said, as the WHO and Australia provided help," the news service reports (9/10).

Israel Signs Food Security, Water Agreement With ECOWAS

"Israel on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement on food security and water resources with the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States," Agence France-Presse reports. During the Nigeria leg of his week-long African tour, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the agreement focuses on food insecurity, desertification, poverty, hunger and water resource improvement (9/9).

Los Angeles Times Examines Impact Of Somali Situation On Children

The Los Angeles Times examines how the situation in Somalia is affecting children in the country. "Children have long been the greatest casualty of Somalia's 18-year civil war. One in five is acutely malnourished. Few attend school. Most spend their lives running from violence, drought and poverty. Boys often become child soldiers, and girls have babies as soon as they reach puberty," writes the newspaper (Sanders, 9/9).