Located
in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township, Baragwanath Hospital is the largest
hospital on the African continent, with 3250 beds. The hospital’s HIV/AIDS
Research Unit is a joint initiative of the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology and the Department of Pediatrics of the University of the
Witwatersand and undertakes research on mother-to-child transmission of HIV,
obstetrical and gynaecological aspects of HIV infection, medical problems of HIV
infected children, and trials of drug therapy for both women and children. Every
year, more than 17 000 women are attended in the maternity ward, which also
serves as a referral centre for 11 midwifery delivery units in Soweto. Over 30%
of pediatric admissions are HIV-related, and the unit works to promote and
assist research in the field of HIV.
USAID/South Africa cooperates with the Perinatal HIV/AIDS Research Unit of Baragwanath Hospital and with other partners, such as Hope Worldwide, to address community involvement and response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This program allows for a first-time linkage between the clinical mother-to-child transmission services with community care and support groups.
Through this project, the Perinatal HIV Research Unit provides antenatal and post-natal care for women, follow up for gynaecological problems, family planning advice and provision, counselling at all stages of the disease, peer group counselling andaccess to community organizations and support groups. The Unit has also been central to the development of provincial policy for the care of HIV infected children. It is also involved in provincial, national, and international policy development in HIV issues and in the training of doctors, medical students and nurses in HIV management.
Since project inception, USAID support the Perinatal Research HIV/AIDS Unit has helped to:
For more information about the Perinatal Research HIV/AIDS Unit at Baragwanath Hospital, please visit/contact: Helen Struthers, (011) 989 9724