Also in Global Health News: U.S. aid to Somalia; Nigerian health workers strike; male circumcision in Swaziland; PEPFAR in Uganda

Oct 7 2009

1. U.S. Government Adjusts Aid Terms To Groups Seeking Humanitarian Grants In Somalia

The U.S. State and Treasury departments together with USAID have reached an agreement that will allow several aid agencies in Somalia to receive humanitarian grants upon meeting several conditions, "unlock[ing] millions of dollars in relief resources that had been on hold due to US anti-terrorism rules," IRIN reports. According to the U.N., Somalia is currently "facing its worst humanitarian crisis in 18 years," with "an estimated 3.8 million," or nearly half the total population, in need of aid (10/6).

Nigerian Government Tries To Negotiate Health Workers Away From Strike

The Nigerian government continues to "mak[e] frantic efforts" to avoid a health workers strike, scheduled to being Tuesday, which they say could endanger the lives of Nigerians caught in the crossfire, the Daily Trust reports. Health Minister Professor Babatunde Osotimehin on Tuesday expressed optimism that through ongoing negotiations between the government and union health worker, the strike would be avoided (Rabiu, 10/6).

PlusNews/IRIN Examines Swaziland's Plan To Increase Services For Male Circumcision

PlusNews/IRIN examines an effort currently under way in Swaziland "to provide circumcision to 80 percent of men aged 15 to 24 in the next five years" in an attempt to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. Through a project supported by PEPFAR and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, health officials from Swaziland's Ministry of Health and Human Services are working to educate the public about circumcision and making services for the procedure more readily available (10/5).

PEPFAR Commits $285M To Uganda

Amid recent concerns that drug shortages in Uganda were leaving HIV-positive patients without treatments, the Daily Monitor reports PEPFAR has committed $285 million to help support HIV/AIDS patients in need of care. "PEPFAR currently serves at least 150,000 people with antiretroviral care," according to the newspaper (Ngatya/Kemigisha, 10/6).