25 August 2004: No 63/04

PROJECT PHIDISA UPDATE

Project PHIDISA, which is a collaborative programme between the SANDF, the US Department of Defence and the US National Institution of Health (NIH), held its first annual conference in Richards Bay (KZN) during the period 26-30 July 2004.

The aim of this conference was to examine progress achieved with regard to the enrolment and treatment of soldiers and their dependants with ARVs.  Secondly, to share lessons learnt in this regard with colleagues from SADC and other African countries.

So far, 1253 SANDF members and their dependent have enrolled in this project, and of these, 343 patients are already receiving ARVs. The great news is that some of our members who were bed ridden at the start of this project on 19 January 2004 are now feeling better, and as a result, are able to be deployed as part of their normal duties.

The SAMHS multi-disciplinary teams are monitoring these members’ responses to treatment and the adverse side effects, which they might experience very closely. Some of the obser-vations made are that their CD4 are rising and viral loads are decrea-sing.  They are also gaining weight.

It is evident from observations made that Project PHIDISA will contribute invaluable knowledge and under-standing of HIV infection and treatment with ARVs, not only within the South African context, but internatio-nally. Some of the decisions taken at this conference were that 2 Mil Hospital’s clinical site would be opened on 06 September 2004 and the 14 SAI (Umtata) site on 04 October 2004. Challenges experienced with regard to the acquisition of critical health personnel needed to conduct this important work are being raised with higher authority. 

Members of the SANDF are assured that confidentiality would be maintained at all times.  It should also be noted that the use of descriptive statistics in Project PHIDISA is an objective way to support with facts, the qualitative analysis made.

Enquiries: Brig Gen N. Motumi, tel: (012) 671 5537 or 671 5408.