AIDS research in SA

The last couple of weeks have been busy but amazing. I spent my fourth week in South Africa at a government-run health clinic called Kwadabeka. The six female doctors there see 80-100 patients every single day. They have "little to no job satisfaction," but they couldn't imagine leaving South Africa or doing anything besides medicine. Because of the continuing strike, the clinic wasn't that busy, and we got to spend a lot of time talking to the young doctors. Last weekend all the other American CFHI students returned to the US because they are only doing the four week program instead of the 8 week program. Fortunately, another batch of 20 students arrived yesterday. I also have a new roommate who arrived last week. She is very nice, and I am thankful that she came a week early for her July program.

I spent last week at a privately funded research clinic called CAPRISA (Center for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa). It is almost entirely funded by US sources, including the NIH and PEFAR (The Presidential Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief). It is by far the nicest health facility that I have seen here. It is extremely well staffed, and unlike the burned out doctors that I see in the public sector, the doctors at Caprisa are excited about their work. They are doing several clinical trials at the clinic, including a HIV vaccine, a microbicide, and a study of acute HIV infection. We spent most of our time with doctors who are involved in a study aimed at determining the best time to start ARVs (antiretrovirals) in patients who are coinfected with tuberculosis and HIV. It was extremely interesting, and it was encouraging to know that there are people who are diligently working to find solutions to the AIDS pandemic. The CAPRISA center has received international attention, and representatives from the US government may be coming to visit the research clinic.



Thankfully, the strike officially ended on Friday after 28 days. Unfortunately it will take time for the health care system to get back to normal, and many of the city's biggest hospitals are struggling to provide adequate care to patients. This week I am rotating at a home-based care center that provides health care for patients who cannot travel to clinics. The site is in a large black township called Kwamashu. It has been really interesting to see where the patients live.



On Saturday I had the amazing opportunity to go to a membeso, which is a traditional ceremony for a couple that is getting married soon. The groom's family gives gifts to the each member of the bride's family. It was absolutely fascinating, and I am very thankful that I was able to experience traditional Zulu culture.

I can't believe that I will only be here for two and a half more weeks. The last five weeks have gone by so quickly, and it will definitely be hard to leave.