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 This week, the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism looks at implants that could potentially prevent HIV infection for up to a year 

We scrutinise one (vaginal) ring to rule them all

Plus, you get to be up close and personal with our engagement officer 
Support quality health journalism by the people, for the people

Two weeks ago, we left the nest after six years of being incubated and discovering who we are.  

Now, we'd like you to meet the people behind the Bhekisisa brand. 

In the first installment of our new #HowWeWork video series, you get to meet our Jill of all trades. 

Roxy de Villiers has the longest title on the team — social media content producer and engagement officer — which means she does a bit of everything.

Get to know her here
 

Like what you're reading? Give it a share on Twitter:
#HowWeWork: Meet @Roxy_d_Villiers, @Bhekisisa_MG's Jill of all trades and master of... quite a few things, actually: http://bit.ly/2XZj0FU #HowWeWork: Meet @Roxy_d_Villiers, @Bhekisisa_MG's Jill of all trades and master of... quite a few things, actually: http://bit.ly/2XZj0FU
Bhekisisa's work 

Bhekisisa specialises in health and social justice journalism. We evaluate responses to problems and find out well they work. Through that, we aim to influence the long process of policy change. 

Last year, our Nelisiwe Msomi reported on medical schemes' lack of support for trans people for gender-affirming care.



Recently, the public advocacy organisation, Amandla Awethu created a petition calling for Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu to make hormone replacement therapy available at King Edward VIII Hospital. Our story was referenced twice in the petition. 

If you'd like to add your signature to the petition, click here.

And, if you want to support quality health and social justice reporting, it's as easy as clicking here. If you invest R300 a month we'll send you a free t-shirt, designed by our reporters.
 
A new wave of under-the-skin implants could change the course of South Africa’s HIV epidemic.
Do you have a five-year plan? By the end of it, the future of HIV prevention could be hitting the shelves.

Scientists abroad and in South Africa are conducting trials on implants that could protect young women against HIV infection for up to a year. 

Our Laura Lopez Gonzalez and Mia Malan take a look at the International AIDS Conference on HIV science crystal ball and see what prevention could look like in less than a decade.

Get the full story
Pinch, prick & go: Why protecting yourself against #HIV could become as simple as a once-a-year clinic visit. @Bhekisisa_MG reports. #IAS2019: http://bit.ly/2JXgypj Pinch, prick & go: Why protecting yourself against #HIV could become as simple as a once-a-year clinic visit. @Bhekisisa_MG reports. #IAS2019: http://bit.ly/2JXgypj
This silicone ring loaded with the antiretroviral drug dapivirine could mean long-lasting protection against HIV for people with vaginas. (International Partnership for Microbicides)
HIV prevention science has come a long way. We now have an HIV prevention pill.

But unlike men who can use the pill on demand, young women have to take the pill daily. 

Soon, however, women will have another choice — a vaginal ring that protects against HIV for a month at a time.

Our Roxy de Villiers looks at the results of the dapivirine band's latest study and explains what needs to happen for the ring to become available for public use.
Preventing #HIV, hassle-free: Taking a pill every day doesn't work for everyone, so science is adapting. @Bhekisisa_MG reports. http://bit.ly/2JTS7ci Preventing #HIV, hassle-free: Taking a pill every day doesn't work for everyone, so science is adapting. @Bhekisisa_MG reports. http://bit.ly/2JTS7ci
What else was Bhekisisa up to?

This week, we looked at how the fight to preserve our dying earth can sometimes pit conservation efforts against indigenous communities.

We also looked at why Big Brother could soon be watching South African doctors.

And, it’s official: The World Health Organisation has recommended a powerful new ARV as part of standard treatment. Find out why women fought so hard to get it — and what it says about medicine and choice.

Then in case you missed it, the world has finally answered a decades' old question about birth control and HIV risk. What happens now? Find out.


Missed our last newsletter? We've got you. You can read it here.


Opportunities from around the web:


Regional stakeholder engagement advisor, AVAC — New York

The advocacy organisation, AVAC, seeks to employ a regional stakeholder engagement advisor. 

The advisor will provide technical, content-focused support to the organisation's research engagement activities, with a focus on activities in East and Southern Africa.

The successful candidate will have a passion for and experience in HIV prevention research advocacy. The candidate will also have a bachelors degree in a relevant field or a master's degree and/or experience in public or global health, development or other relevant fields.

Find out more



Call for proposals, USAID: Tuberculosis South Africa project 

The University Research Co., LLC (URC) is managing the USAID-funded Tuberculosis (TB) South Africa Project. The project has been running since 2016 and will end in 2021.

As part of the project, the URC is implementing a small grants programme to fund innovative community-based interventions, implemented by non-governmental organisations to increase the availability and demand for TB and TB-HIV services.

Research organisations may apply, however, the majority of grants will be designated for local non-profit organisations working at the community level.

Deadline: 15 August
Find out more



Spanish-speaking project manager, SouthSouthNorth (SSN): Gestión CC Phase 2 — Cape Town

SSN supports national and regional responses to climate crisis through policy and knowledge interventions, partnerships and deep collaboration.

The organisation seeks to appoint an experienced Spanish-speaking project manager who will be based in Cape Town to work on the Gestión CC Phase 2 project. The manager will provide quality assurance and reporting, administrative support, take overall responsibility for project delivery and oversight of third party contractors.

The successful candidate will be able to read, write and speak Spanish, be willing to travel to and within South America as well as internationally and must have a minimum of three to five years' experience.

Deadline: 31 July
Find out more



Discussion: Contraception options for women in South Africa post the ECHO trial, 25 July — University of Cape Town

Panelists include Ntombozuko Kraai, a member of the Echo trial community advisory board and founder of African Women Rising as well as Soul City executive director Lebo Ramafoko. Marion Stevens, director of the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition will moderate the discussions that will examine what the recent results of the trial mean for women.

For more information and to RSVP, email imameleng@srjc.org.za.



Call for applications, Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA): Postgraduate research bursary 

Applications are now open for the HWSETA postgraduate research bursary programme.

Registered employed and unemployed South African students are invited to apply. Bursaries are for both part-time and full-time courses. 

HWSETA will consider students pursuing a postgraduate diploma; honours; B-Tech; M-Tech; masters; D-Tech; doctoral and post-doctoral studies at universities and other accredited higher education and training institutions.

Deadline: 31 July
Find out more



Call for female experts in any field, Quote This Woman+ — Various locations

Quote This Woman+ is a project of the non-profit Media Monitoring Africa to establish an online database of women and non-binary experts to improve gender representation in sourcing among the media. 

Keen to be quoted? Submit your details to kathy@augury.co.za

Deadline: N/A
Find out more

Have something to say or an opportunity to share? Let us know. Email tip-offs, comments or story and opinion suggestions to health@bhekisisa.org. 

Follow us on TwitterFacebook or Instagram for daily updates.
 
The Bhekisisa Team
Copyright © 2019 Bhekisisa Development Media NPC. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism, Metal Box
25 Owl Street, 4th Floor, Braamfontein Werf, 2092, Johannesburg, South Africa

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