Health Chat is a live call-in program that addresses health issues of interest to Africa.  The show puts listeners directly in touch with guest medical professionals.  It includes a weekly feature spot, health news and comments from listeners on health issues.  The program is hosted by veteran health reporter Linord Moudou.

Broadcast time: Tuesday 1730-1800 UTC/GMT

Frequencies: 6080, 13635, 15580, 17895

This week's topic:

HIV refers to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. HIV damages a person’s body by destroying specific blood cells, called CD4+T cells, which are crucial to helping the body fight diseases

An estimated 33 million people live with HIV/AIDS around the world. Two-thirds of these are in sub-Saharan Africa. Since its discovery over thirty years ago, the disease has claimed the lives of millions of people around the world.

UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, says there have been progress in the global campaign against AIDS. A recent UNAIDS report indicates a noticeable drop in new HIV infections since the peak of the epidemic. It also notes a dramatic reduction in AIDS-related deaths as more people access treatment in sub-Saharan Africa.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe mentions South Africa as one of the countries that have made significant progress.

“A country like South Africa, after ten years of inertia is one of the countries showing today the leadership in the world,” he says. “They have been able in less than one year to test more than fourteen million people and reduced the price of a drug by 52 percent and increased the number of people on treatment."

In South Africa, awareness efforts are resonating among people like thirty year-old Ntebaleng Nobela.

"I think it’s important that you test to know your status so that you can live a healthier, better life” He says.

But despite the successes, many challenges remain, the most critical of which is the reduction of new infections globally. Experts say for every person put on treatment, two others become newly infected. The majority of the patients include women in developing countries.

UNAIDS head Michel Sidibe says the situation is unacceptable.

“30 years in the epidemic we still have 16 million women infected. And now we have eight hundred and fifty thousand deaths a month of women infected by HIV-AIDS every year which is not acceptable,” he says. “We think the major challenge is positioning of women in the society; the power relation, how to make sure that we can stop violence against women."

Please ask your questions or send your comments to:
HealthChat@voanews.com

Meet the host

Linord Moudou was born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and media productions from George Mason University, and a certificate in television and radio productions from the Columbia School of Broadcasting. The veteran broadcaster is fluent in French, English and conversational in Spanish and Creole.

Before joining VOA, Linord was a talk show host with TELE-SUD, a Paris-based television station.  She started her career at VOA as producer & host of Healthy Living, a weekly health magazine program covering African health issues. She currently serves as health correspondent for VOA’s daily TV show In-Focus.