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Dedicated doctor to join HIV/AIDS vaccine trials
Lynne Altenroxel. 20 June 2003. The Star. Republished courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
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For the first time in his life, Dr Reg Broekmann, the head of Soweto's Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, has volunteered for a pharmaceutical trial.
He is HIV-negative, which is a requirement for taking part in the trial. As chief executive of a hospital being stretched to capacity by HIV - the main factor behind the hospital's overspent budget last year - he signed up several months ago for the South Africa's HIV/AIDS vaccine trials.
Since then, he said, he hasn't been thinking about the trials a lot and hasn't told family or friends about his decision.
"I've just been waiting for it to happen," he said yesterday, as news broke that the country's long-awaited first HIV/AIDS vaccine trial had been given permission to go ahead.
The trial will test the first-ever HIV/AIDS vaccine based exclusively on the C-strain of HIV, which occurs predominantly in Southern Africa.
Broekmann could receive the first of three injections as early as August or September, which is when the study, approved by the Medicines Control Council (MCC), is expected to begin.
But he and just over 100 other people who have volunteered have no way of knowing yet whether they will end up in this trial, or two other HIV/AIDS vaccine trials awaiting MCC approval. Those decisions will be made in the weeks ahead.
Like most of his fellow volunteers, Broekmann's motivation for taking part is altruistic. "AIDS is one of the biggest health problems the country is facing and I think we've all got to do what we can to protect the people. So I think that if there's a bit I can do, I'll do it.
"AIDS is in your face, you can't avoid it. Wherever you look, there are people who are facing death or have children facing death."
The selection criteria for trial participants are fairly strict.
Regulatory authorities have stipulated that all of the people enrolled must have at least 12 years of eduction (to ensure nobody is exploited). All must be HIV-negative. All must be healthy and all have to undergo extensive counselling and training before finally being enrolled in the trial.
People have given many different reasons for joining, said Dr Glenda Gray, the principal investigator of the upcoming HIV/AIDS vaccine trial.
One man told her he wanted to show his grandmother that he was worth something and that he could contribute to society.
Many decided to join after a close friend or relative had died of an HIV/AIDS-related illness, Gray said.
But for some, like 24-year-old Jabulani Maluleke, of Tshiawelo in Soweto, the realisation of the number of people dying around them - 600 a day in South Africa - is motivation enough.
"Our brothers and sisters are dying on a daily basis. We have to do something," Maluleke said.
Some volunteers have persuaded family members to join, while others join in couples.
To ensure safety, scientists have designed the vaccine using only small portions of HIV, instead of the whole virus.
For Michelle Mabunda, an HIV/AIDS counsellor involved in recruiting participants, the trials are a source of hope. She is HIV-positive, and the idea that an HIV/AIDS vaccine could also be used to treat HIV patients could lead to the realisation of her dreams.
"If we can find something that can stop us dying of AIDS," says Mabunda, "that's every HIV-positive person's prayer."
To volunteer for the HIV/AIDS vaccine trials, call 011-989-9703.
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