Posts
A mobile clinic called the “Tutu
Tester” is one of many innovations in Africa helping to tackle some of the
continent’s lingering problems, including an epidemic of TB/HIV co-infections.
To help overcome stigma associated with TB and HIV, the Tutu Tester van
incorporates screening for the two infections into a general health check-up.
An estimated 5.7 million people in
South Africa are HIV-infected. Over the last two decades HIV has fueled the
nation’s TB rate to where it now stands, the third highest in the world.
However, communities most affected by HIV still have inadequate access to
voluntary counseling and testing services, according to the Desmond Tutu HIV
Foundation.
The Tutu Tester helps solve that
problem by taking sophisticated testing equipment and trained staff into areas
lacking adequate health facilities. People are encouraged to get tested for TB
and HIV by including the tests within a battery of other routine wellness
checks, such as those for diabetes, hypertension or pregnancy.
Testing data from these screens show
that “the increase in TB has quite clearly tracked the increase in HIV rates,”
said Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker, a leading scientist working with the foundation.
“The outside world does not know
whether someone wants to be screened for HIV or diabetes,” said Liz Thebus, a
Tutu Tester health worker. “They are, in that respect, much more anonymous.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
