Supporting the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation and it’s research.
Background
South Africa is one of the countries in the world most affected by HIV: an estimated 1 in every 6 adults is infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. South Africa has made it a public health priority in recent years to scale up antiretroviral therapy. There is a large back log of patients who face AIDS and death if this does not occur urgently and effectively.
The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF), whose patron is the Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, is based in Cape Town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. In the early 90’s this Foundation started the first public sector patients on life saving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Subsequently, a centre for academic research, the "Desmond Tutu HIV Centre", was created within the University of Cape Town (Faculty of Science). The Foundation is developing community based sites in the outlying suburban areas of Cape Town- areas hardest hit by HIV and tuberculosis. These community sites provide a number of public health programs and research activities, including large ART programs (the Hanan-Crusaid ART clinic) with community based adherence support strategies, educational programmes about HIV prevention for adults and adolescents and health personnel training to name a few. In addition to its field activities, research activities focus on investigating the interaction between HIV infection and tuberculosis and research of the treatment strategies most suited to the country's resources. Also on their agenda are clinical trials (vaccines, microbicides, and ART) and sociobehavioural research programmes (profile of adolescents at risk, effectiveness of educational programmes).
France's activity in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has been coordinated since its inception in 2002 by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to which France allocated about € 300 million in 2008 alone. To date, the Global Fund has financed approximately € 150 million towards programmes against HIV / AIDS and TB in South Africa, reflecting the promise made by President Sarkozy during his state visit to the Hanan-Crusaid ART clinic in Gugulethu, Cape Town, in February 2008. Through targeted support to the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, the AFD has attempted to support the strategic priority of France that advocates increased efforts in the fight against AIDS and communicable diseases.
Objectives
This research project, considered "operational", centres has two main objectives:
- Earlier identification of HIV infection in people in the Western Cape, with improved linkage to HIV care and thus improved health outcomes.
- Improved management of HIV and TB co-infected patients in health care facilities and community with subsequent improved adherence and better health outcomes.
Project description
The funding aims to support the implementation of an operational research project to promote HIV and TB screening through improved and innovative testing strategies (the Tutu mobile testing unit), linkage to care and subsequent treatment of both infections co-infected individuals. Up to 60% of all Tb patients are also HIV infected in these communities. They often are disadvantaged by health programs that are not integrated.
These activities aim to overcome the barrier of voluntary testing as currently practiced and propose a model for wider screening. HIV testing is offered along with other promotive health measures such as testing for hypertension, diabetes, Tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases. This “normalises” HIV and reduces stigma.
Impacts
Operational research activities to improve accessibility, efficiency and acceptability of HIV testing and strategies to enhance and streamline concurrent management of HIV and TB will improve outcomes in general for HIV infected populations in South and Southern Africa.
The populations most likely to benefit from this work often live in the poorest neighbourhoods and include migrant populations.
Date and amount
Grant date: December 20, 2008
Project loan amount: ZAR 3,300,000 (approximately € 300 000)