Participate in clinical trials to help beat HIV

As the world focuses on World Aids Day, the Clinical HIV Research Unit (CHRU) is calling on communities in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Durban to take part in ground breaking clinical trials to help end HIV and associated diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and cervical cancer.

“You could become a participant in a worldwide clinical trial that is seeking new and improved methods of treating, preventing and diagnosing HIV, HIV-associated cancers and TB,” says Nomampondo Barnabas, Community Liaison Manager at CHRU. “There are a number of different trials taking place. When you come to a CHRU research site in Johannesburg, Durban, or Port Elizabeth, you will be evaluated based on your symptoms and health condition, and then recommended for a trial that will benefit you the most. You receive the highest quality care when taking part in a clinical trial, as we must closely monitor the response to treatment.

“Our trials apply the latest scientific and technological advances to achieve better health outcomes for participants, and for the many patients who benefit after them,” says Barnabas. “Trials are conducted according to international best practice standards. Every person that takes part also contributes to benefitting science and society – as well as themselves.”

Community outreach events will be held in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth this week and in Durban next week for people to find out more. The event in Durban is geared towards young people who were born with HIV.

Deputy director at CHRU, Dr Mohammed Rassool, says, “Our unit was involved in studies that helped test the breakthrough antiretroviral (ARV), dolutegravir, that will soon become the first choice ARV in SA. Trials for the new drug were conducted globally and our unit was one of the South African sites that contributed to making the drug available to HIV positive people across the world.”

All clinical trial research sites the world over have a community advisory board (CAB). Says Barnabas, 

“The role of the CAB is to protect participants. We work with international networks and the world’s leading clinicians to improve treatment, shorten treatment time, reduce side-effects, make it easier for patients to take medicine and make it less expensive for all.

“CABs help participants understand how a study works, what is required of them, and how CHRU will support them. Without people volunteering to take part in a study, new trials could not take place, and new and better treatments and even cures could not be found,” she says.

CHRU’s research agenda is aligned with the international health priorities of the World Health Organisation. It partners with public health organisations and its successful research informs national guidelines.

ENDS

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