On World AIDS Day on December 1, the Federal Center for Health Education reminds us of the dramatic figures for the global disease AIDS. Around 36.7 million people worldwide are living with HIV. According to the latest figures from the Ndlovu Care Group, 7.1 million of these live in South Africa alone. The sub-Saharan countries are still the sad leaders with around 43% of new infections every year. Yet only 57% of all those affected worldwide have access to vital medication. In figures, that is 3.9 million people in South Africa. Here alone, there is a supply gap of more than 3.1 million people affected. This is the reason why the infection often still amounts to a death sentence. These people leave behind families – often children, who are then left all alone without family support. There are still 2 million AIDS orphans in South Africa. NGOs such as the Ndlovu Care Group, which provide medical care – regardless of the health insurance, social status or financial means of those infected – are vital for those affected in rural areas.
In addition, research work is an indispensable milestone in the fight against AIDS. All the measures that Hugo Tempelman and his Ndlovu Care Group have taken in the past are aimed at this. A research center was built in Elandsdoorn. Many new research projects are being installed here and their sustainability is being investigated. For example, the HIV rapid test has been available since last year – a saliva test that can confirm within minutes whether or not you are carrying the virus. Another important research project is the ring study, which is investigating whether the contraceptive ring can also be used to administer HIV-preventative medication at the same time. The Ndlovu Care Group is also involved in research into a vaccine against HIV.
You can find the complete overview at: https://hugo-tempelman-stiftung.de/projekte/forschungsprojekte/
