SAMRC and HPRU engage at the SAAIDS 2019 Community village

The South African Medical Research Council and its HIV Prevention Research Unit based in Durban ran a Community Village stall to educate and engage community members and stake holders participating in SAAIDS 2019 from 11-14 June.

As well as HPRU staff, two Community Working Group members also joined the team on the stand, introducing the work of SAMRC, HPRU and CRS across eThekwini municipality to SA AIDS delegates.

Over the course of the conference they answered questions and concerns regarding various protocols that are conducted across HPRU, gave overviews of HIV vaccine research and PrEP and why an effective and safe HIV vaccine is needed, and undertook networking with new and existing stake holders to develop and strengthen working partnerships.

The team estimates that over 70 delegates visited the HPRU stand, and each left with a pack which comprised Uhambo, Imbokodo and the PrEPVacc Registration cohort information sheets, Community Campus magazine, Uhambo key holder and promotional pens.

The team also visited other organization’s stands to learn about the work they are doing and to identify Organizations that sites may be able to partner with during community education and outreach campaigns. All organizations that we met (based in KZN) are aware of HPRU and sites that operate in areas they are from.