Uganda Hosts Africa’s
First AIDS Research Centre
Godfrey Olukya, Kampala.
Uganda
is to host the secretariat of Africa’s first HIV/AIDS vaccine
research centre. Uganda was voted for the position at the 5th
forum of African AIDS Vaccine Programme (AAVP) in Kampala.
The AAVP Co-chair, Dr. Alash’le Abimku said that the idea of
setting up such a research centre in Africa would provide a
solution to the daunting problem of HIV/AIDS, which the
continent has been confronting.
He said that Africa urgently needed to develop the AIDS vaccine
to treat the virus.
The Executive Director, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Dr.
Pontiano Kaleebu warmly welcomed the new initiative, saying it
will speed up the process of developing vaccines to cure the
deadly disease killing Africans in large numbers.
Dr. Kaleebu asked governments and leaders across the continent
to lend a hand to the new initiative for its success.
WHO representative, Dr. Marine Paul Kieny stated that all
centres of excellence would provide enhanced support to research
stakeholders across Africa through capacity building and
networking activities.
The AAVP forum commenced in Year 2000 in Switzerland and has,
for the first time, been hosted by Africa.
Yinka
