HEALTH SCIENCES Making a difference in the health of local communities: The work of the HIV/ AIDS Research Group Helen Bunt IV and AIDS have been with us poorest provinces in the country calls for a long time and the idea for work that acknowledges the social Hthat they present a serious and economic conditions in which threat to health may have lessened local communities live. The UFH HIV/ particularly given the prominence AIDS Research Group is committed given to Covid-19 over the past to producing knowledge that few years. Against this background, addresses local challenges through information presented at the recent engagement in research networks, th sharing information and fostering 24 International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Canada (29 July – 2 August, collaboration with others. The newly 2022) makes frightening reading. formed Research group is made up Decreased funding and worsening of a number of representatives from economic conditions have resulted the Department of Health, various in less HIV testing, fewer care and non-governmental organisations (NGO) and staff members who are prevention programmes, more instances of stocks of medication and all involved in some area of HIV other supplies running low or running / AIDS research. The research of out and more failures in following up members of the group located at on cases identified. As a result, more UFH focuses on viral load monitoring patients are now presenting with AIDS by professional nurses as well as and very low counts of the cells that the dynamics involved in disclosure Helen Bunt can move through the body finding of HIV status among adolescents. and destroying bacteria and viruses. The team is also investigating the This then allows for opportunistic experiences of COVID-19 pandemic diseases, such as tuberculosis and on the elderly living with HIV as well as cryptococcal meningitis, both leading the development of a care app for HIV causes of death, to take hold. positive pregnant women. Health care challenges are always The Research Group in the process of more complex in poor, rural areas forming a collaboration with Dr Elona and this makes the work of the HIV/ Tosca of the University of Cape Town. AIDS Research Group in the Faculty Dr Tosca has conducted extensive of Health Sciences at the University research on the devastating effects of Fort Hare all the more critical. The of violence on mental health and on location of the University in one of the adherence to treatment protocols 33 | University of Fort Hare