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HIV/AIDS vaccine drive gets a lift
Di Caelers, 18 May 2004. Cape Argus. Republished courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
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New private sector funding to the tune of R4-million is set to boost the search in South Africa for an HIV/AIDS vaccine.
Announced on Tuesday - Vaccine Awareness Day - the funding goes to the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative, established by the government and Eskom.
The two latest companies to get on board are Transnet, which donated R1,5-million, and Impala Platinum Holdings, which through its Impala Community Development Trust, has committed R2,5-million over five years.
Although the initiative's current budget is about R70-million a year, director Tim Tucker welcomed the new donations as the amount would have to increase substantially - "by many times" - to meet ongoing and future commitments to run clinical trials.
"We look to business in South Africa to support this important initiative in an ongoing and lasting way," Tucker said.
The funding will go to boost a broad range of activities, from basic laboratory research to developing new test vaccines, including running ethically sound clinical trials, research into the epidemiological, actuarial, socio-behavioural, ethical and human rights aspects of vaccine development, and extensive work to prepare communities.
The theme of HIV/AIDS Vaccine Awareness Day this year is "Real People, Real Progress".
Transnet Chairperson Bongani Khumalo said HIV/AIDS management strategies and the development of a preventative vaccine for HIV/AIDS were "business imperatives".
"If we are to successfully tackle this epidemic, we need a concerted, national approach that combines prevention and treatment.
"Vaccines are the cornerstone of effective disease control and eradication, and South African business needs to urgently come forward to invest in a future HIV/AIDS-free South Africa," Khumalo said.
Impala Holdings general manager of medical services, Jon Andrews, said the company recognised the heavy burden that HIV posed to South Africa, and the urgent need for additional effective prevention methods.
"We've had considerable success reducing the rate of new infections among employees through the education and treatment programmes we've run jointly with unions and local communities.
"But it's clear that business in South Africa will also have to invest in initiatives aimed at the development of long-term prevention and control measures such as the vaccine initiative," Andrews said. |
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