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THINK
(TB AND HIV INVESTIGATIVE NETWORK)

Dr Kristina Wallengren
www.think.org.za

ALLEVIATING SUFFERING all strains of TB in the next 10 years. Dr Wallengren
said, “We want to save the world.”
THINK (TB and HIV Investigative Network) is a globally
recognised, non-profit organisation that conducts A specific field of interest is TB in children who are
chronically under-diagnosed and treated as mini-
clinical research and health care improvement to adults due to lack of paediatric formulations of drugs.
alleviate suffering arising from Tuberculosis and Ground breaking work conducted by THINK aims to
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. improve treatment for children by making the latest
While its area of influence incorporates the African drugs available for children.
continent, THINK is based in KwaZulu-Natal where
infection rates are particularly high. One of the greatest satisfactions for clinical staff
working at THINK is the enhanced clinical care they are
Swedish born Dr Kristina Wallengren, PhD, MPH, is able to provide to their patients. Long lasting bonds
the founder and executive director of THINK. She is are formed between patient and their care provider
a passionate researcher who has lived and worked due to the duration of the clinical trials that extend
in South Africa for the past fourteen years. When several years beyond treatment and include frequent
not working at her office in Hillcrest, she can be monitoring visits. Consequently, the staff’s interaction
found at one of the programme offices or research often goes beyond clinical treatment to include
sites. These are at the Howard College Campus of involvement and assistance in social issues that impact
University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban; the King on their patient’s daily lives.
Dinuzulu Hospital in Sydenham, Durban, the Doris
Goodwin MDR-TB Hospital in Pietermaritzburg and THINK is collaborating with other South African
at the Don McKenzie TB Hospital in Botha’s Hill, NPOs funded by The Global Fund and USAID for
which is funded by ‘Doctors Without Borders’. the implementation of programmes addressing
the HIV and TB epidemic. The focus in the past few
THINK is currently conducting clinical trials aimed at years has been eThekwini municipality, where THINK
improving diagnosis, treatment and care for TB and has provided over 130 000 people with treatment
HIV infected individuals. The TB and HIV burden in adherence counselling and support in line with
KwaZulu-Natal is among the highest in the world. National Guidelines. Going forward, THINK has
The province also suffers from the highest number been entrusted with providing capacity building
of drug resistant TB cases per population and was and guidance to community based organisations to
the scene for the ‘XDR TB outbreak’ in 2005 leading further expand and implement improved care for TB
to the uncovering of Extensively Drug Resistant and HIV patients locally.
(XDR) TB.
To this end, adherence clubs have been established for
New treatments under evaluation at THINK include people living with HIV that have been on anti-retroviral
the first new TB drugs to be developed since the treatment (ART) for at least 12 months. Treatment
1950s. Current research at THINK has the possibility does not cure AIDS but helps keep the infection under
of shortening treatment for both drug sensitive control by strengthening the immune system to fight
and drug resistant TB to six months or less and to against other infections. There are many factors
change millions of lives by providing a single cure for associated with poor adherence such as inadequate

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