News

In the wake of local actress Lesego Motsepe’s astonishing public announcement, a column in Tuesday’s (14 February 2012) The Times questions the value of using celeb power as a driver of causes and campaigns.

Human papillomavirus (also known as HPV or simply genital / anal warts) is the diarrhoea of sexually transmitted infections. It’s the most common of all STIs, yet gets the least press. Nobody wears coloured ribbons in aid of it or makes Oscar-winning movies about its victims. In fact, nobody even likes to talk about it, as I recently discovered at a dinner party when I mentioned that I was being treated for the virus. The conversation spluttered and jerked, then ground to a complete halt. I reckon I would have received a warmer response if I’d admitted that I shagged goats or was converting to Mormonism. 

The Constitution of South Africa protects the rights of people living with HIV. It doesn’t allow discrimination and protects people’s right to privacy and confidentiality. In South Africa, there aren’t any laws that force people to tell others about their HIV status. People who do test positive should tell their partner, so that they can be protected and also have an HIV test. People with HIV/AIDS in South Africa are protected by the Bill of Rights and have the same rights which protect all citizens.

Health4Men had a very busy and successful 2011. With the new year already on the move, we highlight a few key accomplishments during 2011.

Take a peek at what Health4Men has lined up for February!
•Latest developments include two new clinical sites for gay and bisexual men, in central Johannesburg and Soweto, supported by PEPFAR through USAID. 
•A naughty surprise for the ‘Get REDi for love’ Valentine’s Day campaign.
•Health4Men in Cape Town is initiating a recreational drug-related harm reduction campaign.