Project PHIDISA
HJF supports this NIH-funded clinical research program in South Africa.
Project PHIDISA is an HIV clinical research program in South Africa funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The program is conducted in collaboration with NIAID, the U.S. Department of Defense and the South African National Defense Force (SANDF).
Developing Clinical Capacity
A major project for program staff is developing an infrastructure in South Africa to support a four-arm clinical trial. The purpose of the study is to analyze antiretroviral drug combinations currently being used throughout the world. Participation in the trial is available to SANDF members and their dependents.
HJF helped to open a new clinical location in Bloemfontein and a satellite site in Durban. This brought the total number of active clinical locations developed by the Foundation to five. In addition, planning is underway for further expansion to a sixth site in Phalaborwa, as well as several other satellite sites. All of the locations are at SANDF military hospitals or sickbay clinics.
Training Staff
HJF also is assisting with capacity building among South African staff members. Doctors and nurses from the Foundation's largest single research program, the U.S. Military HIV Research Program, volunteered to assist and mentor the South African clinical personnel working on the trial.