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Media Advisory
Embassy of the United States
877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria |
For more information
U.S. Embassy: Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau | trudeauek@state.gov | 012-431-4217 | 079-111-8280
Event: Announcement in Development of Microbicide Follow-On Trial
What: Event: Join Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom and United States Ambassador Donald Gips for an important announcement in the development of a follow-on trial on the microbicide 1% tenofovir gel
Where: Auditorium, Department of Science and Technology Meiring Naude Drive, Brummeria, Pretoria
RSVP: Veronica Mohapeloa, Department of Science and Technology
Tel: (012) 843-6788 / 082 882 3818 / veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za
Details:
South Africa and the United States are proud to announce a historic bilateral partnership to support the development of tenofovir gel to prevent HIV transmission in women. South Africa is leading the charge to provide the world with the first safe and effective microbicide to protect women against HIV.
The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom and US Ambassador Donald Gips will announce the Follow-on African Consortium for Tenofovir Studies (FACTS) to conduct a follow-on Phase III trial to test the safety and effectiveness of 1% tenofovir gel.
Known as FACTS 001, this critical study is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Health and the American government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The study is sponsored by CONRAD, a leading organisation in reproductive health research based in the US.
FACTS 001 follows the positive results of the CAPRISA 004 trial last year, which tested the safety and effectiveness of 1% tenofovir gel among nearly 900 women at two sites in South Africa. The research found that using the gel before and after sex provided moderate protection against sexually transmitted HIV and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2). However, CAPRISA 004 was a relatively small trial (Phase IIb trial) and was not designed for licensure purposes.
FACTS 001 is urgently needed to provide sufficient evidence required to license a new drug. The phase 3 study is a multi-centre, placebo-controlled, randomised trial designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of tenofovir gel used before and after sex to provide protection from sexually transmitted HIV and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 infection (HSV-2).
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Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Press Attaché and Spokesperson, United States Diplomatic Mission to South Africa
Telephone: 27-12-431-4000, ext. 4217 | Cell: 27-79-111-8280
Email: trudeauek@state.gov | Official website: http://southafrica.usembassy.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USinSouthAfrica | Twitter: www.twitter.com/USEmbPretoria
Mobile: http://connectUS.motribe.mobi
Our most recent press release is available here in full. For archived press releases, please see the links below.
MEDIA STATEMENT
Public Private Partnership to boost inner city health precinct
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Tuesday 8 February 2011
For immediate release
Hillbrow, Johannesburg’s inner city residential neighbourhood, received a major boost today with the announcement of a Public Private Partnership to provide the area with maternal and child HIV/Aids and tuberculosis (TB) services.
Thousands of women and children living in this densely populated precinct will benefit from the partnership between Vodacom, Altron, Altech and the Wits Institute for Sexual & Reproductive Health, HIV and Related Diseases (WRHI) to establish the Vodacom Altron Altech Centre for Specialised Services for the Gauteng Department of Health.
The Centre will be a vital component of the Hillbrow Health Precinct, the only one of its kind in the world in which a basket of health services is mobilising inner city renewal. It will be situated in the old operating theatre of the former Johannesburg General Hospital in Hillbrow, and will serve the approximately one million people living in one of the most densely populated areas of southern Africa.
Once renovations to the dilapidated buildings are complete, the Centre will become a hive of excellence for maternal and child health. Apart from HIV/Aids and TB care and services, it will train health care providers, community workers and researchers, and conduct world-class research into HIV prevention and management, infectious diseases, reproductive health and social science.
The renovation costs of R28-million will be contributed by major JSE listed companies Vodacom, Altron and Altech.
The public sector partners of the Hillbrow Health Precinct are WRHI, the Gauteng Department of Health and the City of Johannesburg. The project seeks to create a visionary, world-first health precinct addressing HIV, poverty and urban renewal in Johannesburg’s inner city. It does so by delivering outstanding health services and health care worker training, in addition to developing best practice models and world-class research that is relevant to the African continent.
Commenting on the announcement of the partnership, Mthobi Tyamzashe, Chairman of the Vodacom Foundation said: “The Vodacom Altron Altech Centre for Specialised Services will constitute one of the key health projects supported by the Vodacom Foundation. We are excited at the possibilities created by this Public Private Partnership in enhancing child and maternal health and simultaneously contributing to inner city renewal through the Centre. It is also a demonstration of our commitment to complementing government efforts in the fight against HIV/Aids.”
“The Altron Group believes in the value of public and private partnerships as it provides a platform for meaningful intervention by the various partners to uplift and enhance the quality of life of all South Africans. We are proud to be playing a part in the renewal of the inner city of Johannesburg through the offering of vital health services,” said Seara Macheli-Mkhabela, Altron Group Executive: Corporate Affairs.
“Altech’s involvement is an indication of our commitment to the widespread development of disadvantaged communities by focusing on areas with the maximum long-term benefits. This project will go a long way to reducing maternal and child HIV/Aids and TB infection rates in the province and uplifting the community in general,” said Johan Klein, Altech Group Executive: Human Resources and Industrial Relations.
Eugene Sickle, Head of Strategy and Development at the WRHI said: “The establishment of this Centre within the Hillbrow Health Precinct represents a ‘tipping point’ for this project and creates a crucial focal point around which further development will take place. The public and private sector partners are to be congratulated for their extraordinary commitment to this endeavour. The WRHI has a long-standing commitment to work with the inner-city community around the provision of health services and issues of transformation. We recognise that partnerships of this nature are crucial to addressing the long-term challenges we face as a country.”
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ENDS
About Wits Reproductive Health Institute:
The Wits Institute for Sexual & Reproductive Health, HIV and Related Diseases (WRHI) was established, initially as RHRU, in 1994 by Professor Helen Rees. This was a joint initiative between various departments at Wits University and the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council. In the last 16 years, the RHRU earned an international reputation in the field of reproductive health, HIV and other related infectious diseases. Having started with a focus on reproductive health, the unit expanded its portfolio into HIV research and health service interventions. In 2010, in recognition of its work, RHRU was awarded Institute status by Wits University. In October 2010, RHRU merged with ECHO, another Wits University research unit specialising in HIV in the paediatric population, to form the Wits Institute for Sexual & Reproductive Health, HIV and Related Diseases (WRHI).
About Vodacom Foundation:
In South Africa, the Vodacom Foundation was established in 1999 as the primary vehicle for Vodacom to implement its Corporate Social Investment initiatives. With its primary focus on education and health, and its secondary focus on security, the Vodacom Foundation supports sustainable projects that help counter social deprivation. These projects provide a channel through which the company shares the profits with the communities in which it operates. In 2009, the Vodacom Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary and its contribution of more than half a billion rands to community projects in Africa.
About Altech’s Corporate Social Investments:
Altech invests in a number of projects aimed at making a difference in ordinary people’s lives. The company invests in projects in the fields of education, community development and support and training. Health projects include support of community clinics, community health programmes, and HIV/Aids awareness. Altech believes that people are its prime asset and is committed to continuing sustainable investments in their wellbeing.
About Altron’s Corporate Social Investments:
Altron’s Corporate Social Investments form an integral part of its commitment to Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment. The Vodacom Altron Altech Centre for Specialised Services is the first Group-wide flagship project involving all 150 underlying operations in the Group. It falls within the Altron CSI focus areas for the support of communities, including health-related programmes with a focus on HIV/Aids. Altron’s approach to CSI also involves non-monetary assistance such as organisational and administrative support. Altron believes in the value of Public Private Partnerships of which this project is an example.
Media contacts and enquiries:
WRHI:
Eugene Sickle
Director: Strategy and Development
WRHI
Tel: +27 11 358 5308
Cell: +79 503 8218
Vodacom:
Suraya Hamdulay
Executive Head of Division: Corporate Citizenship
Vodacom Group
Tel: +27 11 653 5879
Cell: +27 82 991 0905
E-mail: Suraya.Hamdulay@vodacom.co.za |
Ruth Coggin
Quo Vadis Communications
Tel: + 27 11 487 0026
Cell: + 27 82 903 581
E-mail: ruth@quo-vadis.co.za
QUO VADIS MAY NOT BE QUOTED ON BEHALF OF VODACOM
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Altron:
Seara Macheli-Mkhabela
Altron Group Executive: Corporate Affairs
Tel: + 27 11 645 3600 |
Janica Nhlapo
Altron Communications Manager
Tel: +27 11 645 3633
E-mail: jnhlapo@altron.com
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Altech:
Shenanda Janse van Rensburg
Group Executive: Marketing, PR & Communications – Altech Head Office
Tel: +27 11 75 9031
Mobile: +27 84 777 1977
E-mail: sjvrensburg@altech.co.za |
Chris van Zyl
Group Manager: Corporate Communications – Altech Head Office
Tel: +27 11 715-9037
Mobile: +27 82 335 3740
E-mail: cvanzyl@altech.co.za |
Archived press releases:
8 May 2009: Partners in Prevention Study Results
14 December 2009 Microbicide Gel Safe But Not Effective in Preventing HIV Infection