The Infectious Diseases Unit’s (IDU) activities between October 2007 and September 2008 included the National HIV Health Care Worker Hotline Call Centre; the International Centre for Equal Healthcare Access (ICEHA) Mentorship Programme; and the Advanced HIV Training Programme (Fast Track).

Microbial threats continue to emerge and re-emerge.

 Every eight months a new disease unknown to the world is diagnosed somewhere in the world.  In other cases, microbes are previously known pathogens that are infecting new or larger population groups, spreading into new geographic areas, or becoming resistant to drugs. 

 The FPD established its IDU, under Professor Anton Stoltz in 2004, in anticipation of the challenges associated with infectious threats in South Africa. The unit is a public-private-partnership with the University of Pretoria, AMPATH and the Foundation for Professional Development. AMPATH, as the pathology partner, complements and strengthens the unit by bringing a financial component, a national network of laboratories, and microbiological experts. 

The University of Pretoria registered the IDU as a new unit to comprise internal medicine, paediatrics, virology and microbiology.  The IDU is also registered with the HPCSA.

Read more about the Infections Diseases Unit 

that’sit Programme (Tuberculosis, HIV, Aids, Treatment Support and Integrated Therapy) 

This project, in collaboration with the MRC, aims to expand the delivery of ART to TB patients in South Africa and promote TB screening in HIV-positive patients, using lessons learnt from the best practice models developed by other MRC partners. 

TB, although curable, is one of the most common causes of HIV-related morbidity and mortality in South Africa and in other African countries. Owing to a lack of awareness and education patients often present very late for help at healthcare facilities. What is more, the diagnosis of TB in association with HIV infection is not always straightforward. The project aims, therefore, to intensify TB screening in all HIV-positive patients.

South Africa has TB incidence rates ranging from 400 to 1500/100,000 compared to the USA, which has incidence rates of <16/100,000. In view of international interest following the Tugela Ferry outbreak of XDR TB in 2006 in KwaZulu-Natal this programme is well placed and focuses on TB patients as an entry point to access ART. At the same time the programme targets HIV-infected patients to heighten the awareness of TB signs and symptoms so that they can present in time to the relevant health authorities for TB diagnosis, treatment, and clinical interventions.

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Information regarding HIV prevalence, distribution and HIV service delivery for municipal areas is scarce. The Compass Project has been initiated on the basis of the philosophy that an effective response to the HIV epidemic requires a coordinated mobilisation of all resources within a specific community.

To better address the HIV/AIDS response within municipal communities, it is integral to have a coordinated approach that includes accurate mapping of all service providers, annual epidemiological quantification of the HIV service-delivery need, and accurate HIV service-provision information.

This information is critical for a better understanding of the actual service need and enables a service gap analysis. Using this information, organisations, service providers, government and the private sector can plan and strategise effectively to address HIV/AIDS issues within their respective communities.

The Compass Project is funded through the Royal Netherlands Embassy. The primary goals of this project are to ascertain:

•  The epidemiological situation of HIV/AIDS in municipalities and communities at this time

• The HIV service needs of the HIV/AIDS community
• The current level of community HIV services being provided by any service provider active in the community

  The key elements of the project are:

• Creation of an HIV/AIDS Mapping and Research Centre, in partnership with the University of Pretoria, School of Health Systems and Public Health, to achieve accurate epidemiological data and gap analyses for communities.

• Information and resource provision/collaboration to streamline and prevent duplication of information for HIV/AIDS service providers.

An organisational development programme to implement organisational needs assessments, benchmarking and skills building for community-based organisations providing HIV services.

Click HERE to find your local HCT Testing Station

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Research Focus Area

FPD as a registered institution of higher education is expected to contribute to the generation of new knowledge through research and academic activities. During 2010 FPD staff were involved in various research and academic activities.

Conference participation:

FPD at Vienna…