|
Gerry's TB Campaign
|
The South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) is a member of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. As a part of the Movements quest to eradicate TB, SARCS and the Gerry Elsdon Foundation and various Stakeholders and Partners fighting TB in South Africa have recognised that a door-to-door outreach is the key to reducing the spread of TB and to reducing the number of TB deaths.
When asked what the objectives for the WALKATHON was Gerry says "I will hit the road for the many TB patients across the country, who walk long distance even when they are ailing to receive TB treatment. And in commemoration of the caregivers both within the health care system and our volunteers who also travel long distances on foot to bring health care and sustenance to patients within the various TB programmes around the country. To view Gerrys Events Map click here
|
|
Thibela TB main results released at CROI
Seattle, Washington, USA - 8 March 2012
|
The long awaited main results from the Thibela TB study into Isoniazid Preventive Therapy in Gold Miners were publically released at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections on March 8, 2012 in Seattle, Washington, USA.
The study showed a definitive reduction in tuberculosis incidence in individuals who took IPT, albeit that the protective effect seemed to dissipate rapidly after treatment was stopped. Prof Churchyard, principal investigator of Thibela TB said "The Thibela TB study aimed to reduce the burden of TB in the mines using a radical approach of community-wide TB preventive therapy. The Thibela TB study provided clear evidence that community-wide TB preventive therapy did not improve TB control at a population level even though it was effective in reducing the risk of TB among individuals taking TB preventive therapy." This result, whilst disappointing, was nonetheless an important scientific finding in the combat against this ancient and deadly disease.
Reacting to the study results, Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership, said "The study appears to show that, for people who are at a high-risk of developing active TB, taking IPT on a daily basis can have significant benefits. The promise of a cheap, effective and well targeted solution in a sector which is considered the tip of the spear in terms of TB in Africa is very exciting."
More...
|
|
|
Aurum in the news
|
South Africa conducts trials for shorter TB treatment
30 March 2012
South African researchers said Friday they were conducting medical trials to shorten the duration of tuberculosis treatment to make it easier for patients to complete the full regimen.
"Fighting tuberculosis is going to require new strategies. The ongoing trial aimed at reducing the treatment period from six to four months is one of the new strategies of fighting the disease," said Gavin Churchyard, chief executive of Aurum Institute, an independent medical research body.
More...
|
|
|
