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Events - The Aurum Institute and DCS Herisha Rifuba Launch
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The Aurum Institute and the Department of Correctional Services TB Awareness Campaign "Herisa Rifuba"
The Aurum Institute is a public-benefit, scientific South African organization, that is committed to improving health programs and services; conducting both operational and innovative research; and building capacity and skills within South Africa. Our main areas of interest and work are in the fields of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. Through our team of dedicated scientists and professionals, we endeavour to advance health research and undertake the provision of treatment, for these epidemic diseases in our country.
We improve health by;
- Providing support and advice to public and private sector health care programs
- Conducting research that influences and transforms public health policy
- Developing treatment and health management systems that utilizes the research conducted to meet stakeholders requirements
Our patients are our priority. We therefore ensure that their needs guide our research and treatment at all times.
Our Current work includes:
- Strengthening HIV and TB services in the public sector and correctional facilities
- Provision of HIV and TB services through private practitioners
- Conducting operational research on HIV services and TB-HIV integration services
- Thibela TB (research study to investigate the effectiveness of community wide isoniazid preventive therapy)
- Investigation of new TB Drugs/diagnostics/vaccines
- HIV prevention research including behavioural and basic science research
We are privileged to work in partnership with and receive support from various International and National Organizations.
Our donor, funders and research partners include:
- President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
- Consortium to Respond Effectively to the AIDS and TB Epidemic (CREATE) – funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)
- The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)
- Johns Hopkins University, U.S.A.
- Columbia University, U.S.A.
- Anglo American South Africa and group companies
- Anglo American Chairman's Fund
- AngloGold Ashanti Fund
- Anglo Platinum Limited
- Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC)
- HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN)
- Centre for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI)
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
- European Developing Country Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
- South African AIDS Vaccines Initiative (SAAVI)
- GlaxoSmithKline
The Correctional Services Program
The Aurum Institute has been working in collaboration with and supporting the Department of Correctional Services health program since 2006. To date we have Memoranda Of Understanding with the Johannesburg, Pretoria, Krugersdorp and Boksburg management areas. Our primary role is to support and strengthen the Comprehensive Care Management and Treatment - CCMT clinics (Anti-retroviral therapy clinics) within these correctional facilities, which we achieve through a wide range of activities.
Accreditation of CCMT clinics
We have assisted in the accreditation of CCMT clinics at Johannesburg, Pretoria and Krugersdorp correctional facilities. We are currently working towards the accreditation of the Boksburg clinic.
Clinical support
The Aurum Institutes clinical support department has been involved in providing mentorship to site clinicians (both doctors and nurses) through advise on clinical cases and the distribution of up to date treatment guidelines and protocols; quality assurance of HIV/TB care prescriptions; and the implementation of CCMT clinic data collection forms to ensure the acquisition of relevant health related information. These activities have been primarily conducted at the Johannesburg and Pretoria correctional facility, but are currently being extended to the Krugersdorp facility.
Training
The Aurum Institutes training department has provided training to staff at the Department of Correctional Services in all aspects of HIV/AIDS and TB, including voluntary counselling and testing, antiretroviral treatment, running support groups, peer education on HIV/AIDS, and TB diagnosis and treatment. Training has been provided on site to DCS facilities in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Krugersdorp. To date, 204 DCS staff members and 71 offenders have received training.
TB/HIV integration
The Aurum Institute has been involved in strengthening TB/HIV collaborative activities within the Department of Correctional Services health care facilities in Gauteng. We are currently piloting a model for TB/HIV integration at the Pretoria correctional facility, with the aim of extending this model to other correctional facility health care sites.
Human resources
We have assisted in the appointment of health care and support staff to the correctional facilities, through involvement in the appointment process and by the provision and supplementation of salaries.
Data management and monitoring and evaluation
The Aurum Institute's personnel have been involved in ensuring the implementation and training of correctional services staff on the use of the CCMT clinic data collection forms. A database is installed and functioning at the Pretoria correctional facility and is currently being implemented at the Johannesburg correctional facility. The databases will ensure the recording of individual patient data and will facilitate the monitoring and reporting of the HIV programme.
Research
The Aurum Institute in collaboration with the Department of Correctional Services, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the National Health Laboratory Services and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine are conducting a research study titled "A preliminary study of screening for tuberculosis in a South African correctional facility", within the Johannesburg correctional facility. Through this study we aim to determine the burden of tuberculosis among offenders and correctional facility staff members and to evaluate the best tool or combination of tools to screen for tuberculosis, thereby informing and guiding the Department of Correctional Services policy on screening for tuberculosis within correctional facilities. Prior to the start of the study, we will be conducting a TB awareness month at the Johannesburg correctional facility. Activities conducted will include the provision of information and education material, TB training academies for peer educators and TB talks to offenders within the facility. This awareness month will culminate in the Aurum Institutes and Department of Correctional Services TB awareness campaign: "Herisa Rifuba", on the 9th of July 2009.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) without whose support and active engagement the Correctional Services Program and all related activities would not be possible
The Future
We aim to, in collaboration with the Department of Correctional Services, extend our Correctional Services Programme, to correctional facilities in all provinces in South Africa. Our vision is to assist in the provision of evidence based, quality health care and services to the correctional facility population and staff alike;
DCS: we care.
Launch documents:
View photo gallery
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