Page 80 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

international webinars and provided a community
perspective to the PrEPVacc trial update.

Science for creating a
healthier society

As part of the HIDRU communication and results
dissemination plan, participants, stakeholders,
and community working groups received updates
on key results of HIV, TB, and COVID-19 research
Community training by Dr Logashvari Naidoo, quarterly, with the resumption of face-to-face
Principal Investigator at Chatsworth Site. meetings at the site level and jointly for the annual
Community Working Group event. Participant
events were held per site for study updates and
result dissemination. In addition, dissemination
of research to collaborating stakeholders was also
conducted, including the South African Department
of Health (district, provincial, and national levels),
regulatory bodies, research organisations, and trial
participants. Senior unit personnel are also active on
various advisory committees and working groups at
provincial, national, and international levels.
Chatsworth Community Advisory
Board meeting. The annual update and Memorandum of Agreement
meeting with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Department of Health continued online, and the
need for mentoring capacity development alongside eThekwini Health Unit was engaged and updated
the Individual Development Plan. A mentorship on HIDRU studies and upcoming studies. HIDRU
programme was established with two arms: one to also hosted symposia on the following topics: i)
assist with short-term goals (such as preparing a Interactions between COVID-19, HIV, and TB; and ii)
conference poster), and one to assist with long-term Children living with or exposed to HIV. The unit also
goals, such as gaining experience for a new position participated in webinars, press releases, and policy
within the unit. briefs. Finally, multiple scientific presentations were
conducted by scientists and non-scientists during
Currently, 46 staff members have made use of
the short-term programme and 56 of the long- the reporting period.
term programme. In the first 18 months of the
programme, 15 staff were successful in interviews for In celebration of 30 years of
new positions, and eight were successful in career democracy in South Africa
progression and advancement. Thirty years into democracy in South Africa, the

The unit's contribution towards democratising landscape of the HIV epidemic has undergone a
health and building community partnerships in the profound transformation. HIDRU has been at the
country is showcased in our Community Working forefront of adapting to these changes, implementing
Groups (CWGs). Its members are community a multi-faceted approach to prevention. From
volunteers elected from their communities at pioneering microbicides to advocating for pre-
exposure prophylaxis, developing vaccines, and
the clinical research sites, and they support our refining treatment methods, HIDRU has remained
research in several ways. They provide input on new dedicated to mitigating the spread of HIV in
protocols and study material and advocate for the South Africa.
uptake of health interventions in the community.
HIDRU coordinates their training in communication, Central to HIDRU's ethos is its unwavering
understanding science, and the efficacy of commitment to exploring and implementing effective
biomedical interventions. These trainings have prevention and treatment strategies. By engaging,
resulted in growth for many members, with some educating, and enrolling thousands of women, men,
now serving as chairs within local, national, and and adolescents in groundbreaking studies and trials,
international groups. Their capacity development is HIDRU has played a pivotal role in advancing global
also evidenced in a member who participated in two understanding of HIV prevention and treatment.

78 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24