Free Investigative Databases Searches - Search for Anyone, Find Anyone, Investigate Anyone
[
Find Social Security Number] [
Verify Social Security Number] [
People Search By Social Security Number] [
Social Security Number Verification] [
Check Social Security Number] [
Social Security Number Lookup] [
Social Security Number Look Up] [
Find People By Social Security Number] [
People Search Social Security Number] [
Finding a Social Security Number]
In the NEWS: Embassy of the United States of America in South Africa. Public Affairs Office
April 26, 2005. Media Advisory. Ambassador Frazer and Minister Lekota Sign Agreement to Help Build "World-class Medical Research Capability" in the South African Military Health Service
U.S. Ambassador, Jendayi Frazer and the South African Minister of Defense, Mosiuoa Lekota, today signed a Joint Research Arrangement at 1 Military Hospital to further advance Project Phidisa, a U.S.-South Africa collaboration that is helping to develop biomedical research capacity in the South Africa Military Health Service (SAMHS).
Ambassador Frazer and Minister Lekota signing the Agreement
In signing this document, Ambassador Frazer noted: “This program is an outstanding example of the close relationship that exists between the governments of South African and the United States, and the shared vision of our people. Faced, here in South Africa, with an unprecedented HIV/AIDS challenge, we are giving hope. Faced with stigma that limits the seeking of medical care, we are demonstrating that AIDS is just an illness that can be treated. And, faced with a need for more research progress to stop this disease globally, South Africa is becoming a leader as we seek effective vaccines and new therapies against this disease.”
Ambassador Frazer and Minister Lekota shake hands after signing the Agreement
Over a five-year period that started in 2004, Project Phidisa will utilize over $50 million from U.S. Government partners and considerable support from the South African National Defense Force. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services, will provide most of the U.S. funding. The U.S. Department of Defense and The President’s Emergency Plan also provide significant support for AIDS Relief.
“Phidisa” is the Sesotho word meaning, “prolong life.” In its initial scope of work, Project Phidisa is undertaking research and health care programs that will help prolong the lives of HIV-infected soldiers and their families. The program is focused on improved clinical management, psychosocial support, and the development of effective family-oriented care for HIV-affected military families. Over a five-year period, Project Phidisa plans to enroll 50,000 soldiers in research of particular importance to South Africans. The project is open to all military personnel, regardless of HIV status, and their dependents. Those who are HIV positive and develop AIDS, may choose to receive ARV therapy either through a research study or without participating in research. Those who are treated outside the research study for AIDS are treated with anti-retroviral drugs provided through the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, a U.S. program that works with the South Africa Government to support AIDS prevention, treatment and care within the context of the Comprehensive Plan.
Under Phidisa a large team of clinical researchers, nurses, pharmacists, data managers and other health professionals have been recruited or assigned, and trained to provide high quality HIV care and to undertake research in urban and rural SAMHS medical institutions. The strength of Project Phidisa is that it combines the HIV and AIDS management concerns of the SAMHS with the capacity building interests of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) and with the long-term international research interests of NIH.
Phidisa’s initial research will help assess the impact and viability of anti-retroviral (ARV) drug provision in the military. There are fundamental global questions regarding the management of patients with HIV infection that Phidisa will help answer - to the benefit of the South African military and civilian sectors. Among these are: when should one initiate therapy; what is the optimal initial regimen; and when is the best time to switch drugs. These questions are as relevant to the United States as they are to the Republic of South Africa and Phidisa is uniquely poised to help provide answers.
Under Phidisa, effective HIV/AIDS treatment is currently provided at four Military sites: 1 Military Hospital, 2 Military Hospital, Umtata Sick Bay, and Mtubatuba Sick Bay. Plans are underway to open Bloemfontein in late May 2005 and a sixth site soon thereafter.
