The battle against AIDS

On world AIDS day 56 countries are recognised as having stabilised or reduced new HIV infections. That is according to UN figures which also point out that global funding and political will to continue the fight is starting to dwindle.

In this weeks show HEALTH travels to South Africa to meet with Promise Mthembu who has taken set up a foundation to battle for the rights of women with HIV how want to become mothers. Promise, along with thousands of other women say they were sterilised against their will by doctors. ''When I was forcibly sterilised myself I was just 22 years old.
I needed treatement and the doctor was very clear and adamant
that you would only receive treatment on the basis that you consent to sterilisation,'' she says. The subject is still taboo but since 2007 Promise has been travelling the country and gathering witness accounts in order to take the South African state to court. Yong Chim reports.

Less than half of the HIV positive pregnant women in Africa recieve proper treatment but when the right care is available the risk of transmitting AIDS from mother to child is minimal. In Kenya Rebecca Awiti had triplets despite her illness. They are all HIV negative and Rebecca is now working so that other women can benefit from the treatment she recieved.