South African Company to Make Rings that Protect Against HIV

A South African Company to Produce Vaginal Devices for HIV Prevention

A South African company will manufacture vaginal devices that protect against HIV. This development is expected to make the devices more affordable and easily accessible, according to medical experts.

The HIV Epidemic and the Need for Prevention

HIV is a virus that causes AIDS, a serious disease that weakens the immune system. In Africa, HIV remains the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age, with 60 percent of new infections occurring in women.

The Population Council and Kiara Health Collaboration

The Population Council, an international nonprofit organization focused on medical research, recently announced its collaboration with South African healthcare company Kiara Health. Kiara Health will begin manufacturing these devices, known as rings, using medical-grade silicone in the coming years. It is estimated that up to 1 million rings could be produced annually.

The Function and Approval of the Rings

These vaginal rings release a drug called dapivirine, which helps prevent HIV infections. They have been approved by nearly 12 countries and the World Health Organization (WHO). The rings are currently being produced by a Swedish company, with approximately 500,000 rings available to women in Africa at no cost, thanks to generous donors.

Advantages of the Rings for Women

According to Ben Phillips, a spokesman at the U.N. AIDS agency, these rings provide women with the freedom to protect themselves without the knowledge or agreement of their partners. This is particularly important for women whose partners refuse to use condoms or allow them to take oral preventive HIV medicines.

The Cost and Future Developments

Currently, the rings cost between $12 and $16. However, experts anticipate that the price will decrease once they are widely produced in Africa. Developers are also working on a version of the ring that can last up to three months, which would further reduce the annual cost.

Support and Recommendations from WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of these rings as an additional tool for women at high risk of HIV. More than 12 African countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, have also approved their use. WHO’s approval is based on studies showing that the ring can reduce women’s chances of contracting HIV by about a third, with some research suggesting an even greater risk reduction of over 50 percent.

Words in This Story

1. Vagina – the passage in a woman’s or female animal’s body that leads from the uterus to the outside of the body
2. Allow – to permit (something)
3. Oral – used to describe a medicine that you eat or swallow
4. Substantial – large in amount, size, or number
5. Reproductive – relating to or involved in the production of babies, young animals, or new plants

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
   • Indicator: Number of new HIV infections among women.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
   • Indicator: Percentage of women with access to HIV prevention methods.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Indicator: Number of partnerships formed to improve access to HIV prevention methods.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The article addresses the issue of HIV prevention, which is directly connected to SDG 3. The target under this SDG that can be identified is Target 3.3, which aims to end the epidemics of AIDS. The indicator mentioned in the article is the number of new HIV infections among women, which reflects progress towards this target.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   The article highlights the importance of providing women with access to HIV prevention methods, which is related to SDG 5. The specific target under this SDG is Target 5.6, which focuses on ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health. The indicator mentioned in the article is the percentage of women with access to HIV prevention methods, which can be used to measure progress towards this target.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   The article mentions the involvement of various organizations and countries in the production and approval of the HIV prevention ring, highlighting the importance of partnerships. This is connected to SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships for achieving the goals. The specific target under this SDG is Target 17.17, which encourages the formation of effective partnerships. The indicator mentioned in the article is the number of partnerships formed to improve access to HIV prevention methods, which reflects progress towards this target.

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Source: learningenglish.voanews.com

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