Page 208 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

THINK

Dr. Kristina Wallengren
www.think.org.za
patients well. Consequently, the staff’s interaction
SAVING THE WORLD
often goes beyond clinical treatment to include
THINK (TB and HIV Investigative Network) is a globally involvement and assistance in social issues that impact
recognised and registered non-profit organisation on their patient’s daily lives.
that conducts clinical research on behalf of providers
of medication to alleviate suffering arising from THINK is collaborating with other South African NPOs
Tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) funded by The Global Fund for the implementation
infection. While its area of influence incorporates the of programmes addressing the HIV and TB epidemic.
African continent, THINK is based in KwaZulu-Natal The focus is primarily in west, central and south sub-
where infection rates are particularly high. districts of eThekwini municipality. In this programme,
THINK is currently providing over 90 000 people with
Swedish born Dr. Kristina Wallengren, PhD, MPH, is treatment adherence counselling and support.
the founder and executive director of THINK. She is
a passionate researcher who has lived and worked To this end, Adherence clubs have been established
in South Africa for the past twelve years. When not for people living with HIV that have been on
working at her office in Winston Park, Kloof, she can anti-retroviral treatment (ART) for at least 12 months.
be found at one of the research sites. These are at Treatment does not cure AIDS. It only helps keep
the King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex in Sydenham, the infection under control and helps strengthen the
Durban, the Doris Goodwin MRD-TB Hospital in immune system to fight against other infections. There
Pietermaritzburg and at the Don McKenzie TB are many factors associated with poor adherence
Hospital in Botha’s Hill which is funded by ‘Doctors such as inadequate home support, inability to take
Without Borders’. time off work to go to the clinics and non-disclosure
of HIV status. The adherence clubs aim to motivate,
THINK is currently conducting clinical trials aimed encourage and help participants stick to their
at improving diagnosis, treatment and care for TB treatment plan by creating a network of support and
and HIV infected individuals. The TB and HIV burden continuous education.
in KwaZulu-Natal is among the highest in the world.
The province also suffers from the highest number of THINK is supported through international research
drug resistant TB cases per population and was the funding as well as government, philanthropy, and
scene for the ‘XDR TB outbreak’ in 2005 leading to the industry, while research is maintained through grants.
uncovering of Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) TB. Dr Wallengren said, “People come to us because they
New treatments under evaluation at THINK include the know that the quality of our research is excellent. We
first new TB drugs to be developed since the 1950s. work collaboratively with a number of institutions.”
These have the possibility of shortening treatment However, THINK also needs to generate income to
for both drug sensitive and drug resistant TB to six remain sustainable. One of the most important aspects
months and to change millions of lives by providing a of the organisation’s work is education and training in
single cure for all strains of TB in the next 10 years. Dr schools and workplaces on healthy living practices.
Wallengren said, “We want to save the world.”
THINK is growing this service to encompass employee
A specific field of interest is TB in children who are wellness programmes, which have become an
chronically under diagnosed. However, they are important part of implementing the South African
vulnerable to infection due to the close contact that Occupational Health and Safety Act. Through on-site
they have with their mothers (who may be infected). employee wellness programmes, employers will be
Due to the duration of the clinical trials, which can able to provide education classes, screenings, and
take place over several years and include frequent facilitating adherence to medical protocols and follow
monitoring visits, the research staff get to know their up assistance to identify and manage health issues and

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