US Consul-General meets researchers and community leaders in Vulindlela

29 September 2015

Researchers at the CAPRISA Vulindlela research clinic hosted Ms. Frances Chisholm the U.S. Consul General in Durban on the 17th September 2015.  She was accompanied by Dr Mary Mogashoa, the CAPRISA activity manager from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Ms Natacha Collymore, the Community Grants Coordinator at the US consulate.

During her visit Ms Chisholm met with senior researchers at the site and received an overview of the research activities currently underway and planned for the site and the status of the epidemic in Vulindlela. A highlight of the visit was face-to-face interactions with women who participated in the CAPRISA 004, CAPRISA 008, HPTN 077 and a group of young women from the Vulindlela Adolescent Programme. The participants shared their personal experiences and challenges of living in a rural area, rural health care and their experience as study participants.

(L-R): Ms Helen Hingle (Operations Manager), Mr Hilton Humphries (acting Site Director), Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Rev Baba Sithole (Chair of the CAB), Ms Frances Chisholm (US Consul-General, Durban) , Ms Natacha Collymore (Community Grants Coordinator), Dr Mary Mogashoa (CDC) and Ms Gethwana Makhaye (COMOSAT)