About a year ago, we reported here on the new long-term study by the Ndlovu Research Consortium. The Ndlovu Research Consortium (NRC) is setting up a research center in the municipality of Elandsdoorn where the long-term effects of HIV infection, its associated chronic diseases and socio-economic problems can be studied in depth. The aim of this study is to identify the follow-up problems of successful HIV therapy and to derive suitable treatment strategies.
The long-term study, which will cover a period of 10 to 15 years, is made up of a group of 1000 HIV-positive and 1000 HIV-negative people. Regular surveys on health status and related social factors will be collected, analyzed and monitored together with blood and urine tests. The focus is on people in rural communities with limited resources, as they are representative of the vast majority of HIV-infected people around the world. Thus, this study has global significance.
The first milestone has now been reached. The 1000th participant has registered. This is a huge success for the NRC team. Convincing people in Elandsdoorn to take part in this study is really hard work. HIV-infected people suffer from stigmatization – especially in rural areas. Facing this requires absolute trust in the staff of the Ndlovu Care Group.
The enrolment of the 1000th participant has now been celebrated with a huge party. Here the staff of the study were introduced to all participants once again and welcomed with enthusiastic cheering and clapping. The purpose and the enormous importance of the participants for the study was explained. The program was accompanied by the Ndlovu Youth Choir with their usual rousing performance. Culinary delights such as njama (meat stew), pap (maize porridge) and marogo (spinach with onions and potatoes) were served from huge pots. It was a great party with a great cause!
