|
INDEPTH
NEWS BULLETIN Vol. 2003, No.3, 2003
|
- INDEPTH expands its membership
- INDEPTH invited to the University of Oslo, Norway
- Executive Director visits Rakai DSS, Uganda
- INDEPTH at WHO in Geneva: Consultative conference on the impact of ARV Therapy on the HIV epidemic
- AGM 2004 (4th AGM)
INDEPTH expands its membership
The INDEPTH Board has approved the application for full membership of INDEPTH of the following DSS sites:
1. VADU DSS, INDIA
Host institution: Vadu Rural Health Project, KEM Hospital, Pune, INDIA
2. UERD, BURKINA FASO
Host institution: Observatoire de Population de Quagadougou (Quagadougou Urban Health and Equity Initiative, Burkina Faso)
INDEPTH at the University of Oslo, Norway, 19-20 February 2003;Developing a new Vaccine for HIV/AIDS
A Scandinavian consortium of researchers is preparing a proposal to the European Union (EU) for an Integrated Project (IP) which seeks to integrate a targeted development of nasal HIV and TB vaccines and detailed study of mucosal immunity, the use of a new inexpensive adjuvant and a new nasal delivery concept optimised for mass vaccination, abbreviated as NASALVAC. Dr. Osman Sankoh attended the first meeting of the consortium on behalf of the INDEPTH Network from 19-20 February 2003 in Oslo. The consortium is seeking the participation of a few INDEPTH sites in the research. The Secretariat has introduced the NASALVAC initiative to sites ready for clinical trials.
Executive Director visits Rakai DSS, Uganda
Continuing his visits to INDEPTH sites, his first one in 2003 took the INDEPTH Executive Director on 27 February 2003 to the Rakia DSS in Uganda. Prof. Binka considers such site visits by the Secretariat as very important since they enable the Secretariat not only to keep abreast of developments in the sites, but that a personal tête-à-tête with site leaders, data managers, field workers and other staff will help to build confidence in both the sites and the Secretariat. Tom Lutalo, data manager, received Prof. Binka on behalf of the Rakai Project team.
Fred Binka’s second site visit took him to Manhica, Mozambique in mid March 2003. Pedro Alonso and Ariel Nhacolo received the Executive Director on behalf of the Manhica DSS team. In a welcoming presentation, Ariel Nhacolo highlighted INDEPTH and the various activities associated with the Network. Fred Binka was happy to see an INDEPTH site promoting the network in reciprocation of the strides of INDEPTH in promoting the sites.
INDEPTH at WHO in Geneva: Consultative conference on the impact of ARV Therapy on the HIV epidemic
Dr. Osman Sankoh took part in a Consultative Meeting organised by WHO on 17-18 March 2003 in Geneva to Review the Impact of Scaling up Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) on the HIV Epidemic – what can longitudinal community studies contribute to the evidence base? The purpose of the meeting was to bring together groups running longitudinal studies, and other interested parties, for discussions on the value of setting up a network of the longitudinal study sites in which the linkages of prevention and ART/care can be explored.
AGM 2004 (4th AGM)
The 2004 INDEPTH Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGM) will be held in Vietnam, and hosted by the Filabavi DSS, headed by Dr. Kim Chuc. The Secretariat has started discussions with Dr. Chuc to ensure that the first AGM in Asia will be a successful one.