AS part of efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, the Heineken Africa Foundation, HAF, has launched PharmAccess Africa Studies to Evaluate Resistance, PASER.

PASER, managed by PharmAccess Foundation, is the largest coordinated effort in sub-Saharan Africa to monitor HIV drug resistance.

Six African countries, hosting 15 clinics, laboratories and research institutions, are joined in a collaborative network to collect data on emerging HIV drug resistance, while more than 3,000 adults, who receive anti-retroviral treatment, are currently being monitored.

Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO of Heineken N.V., Mr. Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, who spoke on the development, said: “The three new HIV/AIDS projects supported by Heineken Africa Foundation will play a small but meaningful role in helping to continue the fight against the disease in subSaharan Africa. They will help address the ongoing challenge of HIV/AIDS by increasing knowledge, extending preventive support and providing treatment to those who are suffering.”

The other two HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment projects supported by HAF are the Democratic Republic of Congo which will support two existing road wellness clinics in Lukala and Bukavu, as well South Africa, which is expected to improve accessibility of healthcare to HIV patients in the area of Olievenhoutbosch in the Gauteng province.