DTHF MOURNS THE LOSS OF COLLEAGUES THIS WEEK

The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation is mourning the loss of several respected and beloved colleagues this week, as we heard with sadness the news of the passing of Dr. Arthi Ramkissoon, Dr. Iqbal Master and HIV advocate and long-time ally of the DTHF, Andrew Mosane. Andrew was one of the Treatment Action Campaign’s early activists…

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Jan112021

“This virus is catchy – we need vaccines urgently”

In an opinion piece originally published in GroundUp, DTHF COO, Linda-Gail Bekker, describes what it has been like contracting Covid-19 despite taking precautions. I heard someone say recently: “this variant is really catchy”. My family can bear testimony to this. We have just had a markedly quiet Christmas and new year, all of us holed…

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Dec112020

DTHF Patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu Receives Human Rights Global Treasure Award

Another recognition of his lifelong dedication to advancing peace and equality, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been awarded the ‘Human Rights Global Treasure’ Award The award was announced during a virtual programme on International Human Rights Day, Thursday 10 December. The event included a conversation with four former UN High Commissioners for Human Rights – Mary…

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Dec82020

DTHF Welcomes Biden’s Pick of Rochelle Walensky to run the U.S. CDC

U.C President elect Joe Biden announced yesterday that he has chosen Dr. Rochelle Walensky, currently chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, to run the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Walensky has conducted pioneering research on HIV/AIDS and has worked closely as a collaborator and much esteemed colleague with the Desmond Tutu…

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Dec22020

Publication: Incentives conditioned on tenofovir levels to support PrEP adherence among young South African women: a randomized trial

The following article was originally published in the Journal of the International AIDS Society on 28 November 2020. DTHF researchers Katherine Gill and Linda-Gail Bekker are co-authors. The full article can be accessed using the link below.   HIV incidence remains high among African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), who would benefit from pre‐exposure…

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Battles won – and lost – against AIDS hold valuable lessons for managing COVID-19

Battles won – and lost – against AIDS hold valuable lessons for managing COVID-19 Sonali Pal Chaudhury/NurPhoto via Getty Images Linda-Gail Bekker, University of Cape Town World AIDS Day this year finds us still deep amid another pandemic – COVID-19. The highly infectious novel coronavirus has swept across the world, devastating health systems and laying…

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Nov102020

DTHC/F CELEBRATES NEWS THAT LONG-ACTING INJECTABLE PrEP IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING HIV INFECTION IN AFRICAN WOMEN

10 November 2020 – The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre and Health Foundation welcome the announcement that another trial of long-acting injectable antiretroviral cabotegravir has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the prevention of HIV in cisgender women in Africa. Study sponsors ViiV, NIAID and the HPTN  announced yesterday that the randomised part of the landmark trial…

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Nov102020

SA’s latest COVID-19 vaccine trial crucial for future access

*The following press release was published by African Alliance on Monday 09 November 2020.   South Africa’s newest COVID-19 vaccine trial is another crucial step in ensuring a future vaccine works for South Africans and should be commended, says advocacy group the African Alliance and partner, the Vaccine Advocacy Resource Group. “Historically, Africa has had…

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