Also in Global Health News: Generic HIV Drugs, MSM in Philippines, Botswana Circumcision Efforts

African Union Commissioner Calls For Africa to Manufacture Own Generic Drugs

The manufacturing of generic drugs in Africa would not only help to support Africans living with HIV/AIDS during the current economic crisis, but also benefit local African economies, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs Bience Gawanas said on Thursday. According to Reuters, South Africa is the only country on the continent that produces its own HIV/AIDS drugs (Malone, Reuters, 5/7).

HIV/AIDS Cases Among MSM in Philippines Increases Significantly, UNDP Says

As of March 2009, there were 215 recorded cases of HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men, representing a significant rise from the 2006 total of 81 cases recorded amongst that demographic, Renaud Meyer, UNDP country director, said, the Business Mirror reports. Meyer said the situation is "hidden and alarming." Cases amongst heterosexuals decreased to 160 cases in 2008 from 193 cases in 2006 (Torres, Business Mirror, 5/7).

Bostwana's Government Launches Male Circumcision Campaign

The health ministry of Botswana on Thursday announced that the government plans to circumcise nearly a half million men over the next five years to help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, the Telegraph reports (Telegraph, 5/8). Men living in Botswana are being encouraged to go to clinics, where healthcare providers have been trained to perform circumcisions (AFP/Yahoo! News, 5/7).