Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - July 21, 2009
A lack of quality laboratory services in the world's poorest continent hampers the battle against HIV/AIDS, with the sub-Saharan Africa region hardest hit by the global pandemic which kills millions each year.
"I think its a very exciting concept and I think it is one that can be replicated across Africa," Krista Thompson, general manager for global health at Becton Dickinson & Co <BDX.N>, told Reuters on a site visit to Gugulethu township near Cape Town.
Gugulethu is the site of the first containerised AIDS laboratory from Toga Labs, a private South African molecular diagnostics laboratory. BD supplies equipment to the lab.
With its multitude of tin shacks, poor water supplies and limited electricity access, Gugulethu is typical of poor settlements across Africa.
Established in 2004, the Gugulethu lab provides testing for about 4,500 people on antiretroviral drugs, and is one of 10 operating in South Africa.
Africa's strongest economy has one of the world's highest AIDS burdens with an estimated 1 in 5 infected out of a population of 47 million.
"Its very important for the use of drugs to have good diagnostics and laboratory services to go along with that. First we need to know who to treat and then we need to know whether the treatment was working or not," Thompson said.
Des Martin, a director at Toga, told Reuters: "You can't have antiretroviral programmes without laboratory support, its dangerous. So this provides the means for people who live very far away to have standard of care on their doorstep."
He said diagnostics could be extended to include tests for tuberculosis, diabetes and other diseases.
The United States President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief was supporting another five planned container labs in South Africa, two in Malawi, two in Zambia and one in Liberia, Martin said. Each fully equipped lab costs in the region of $250,000.
The Gugulethu lab, run by a medical technologist and an administrator, processes an estimated 11,000 blood samples a year, Martin said.
"We believe this is a model for the developing world in resource constrained settings," he said. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf)
090721
RE090713
Copyright © 2009 - Reuters, Ltd. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Contact Reuters.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2009. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2009. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .