Pretoria - Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo has congratulated the CEO of the Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Professor Glenda Gray, on being awarded a silver Order of Mapungubwe.
Gray, who is based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe during the National Orders ceremony held on Freedom Day at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House.
President Jacob Zuma bestowed National Orders on outstanding South African citizens and foreign nationals, who have made a positive and meaningful contribution to the country's social, economic and political advancement.
Gray was honoured for her excellent life-saving research in mother-to-child transmission of HIV that has changed the lives of people for the better in South Africa.
Gray said their unit was strong because of scientists who are passionate about understanding HIV, sharing their findings and making a difference in the world.
“This award is a great honour and I’d like to accept it on behalf of the community of dedicated clinicians, scientists and researchers who work with me, and who share the vision that eliminating paediatric HIV is realisable and achievable,” she said.
Papo said the honour received by “dedicated and hard-working” Gray was proof yet again of the calibre of health professionals and the high level of expertise that they have in the public health sector in Gauteng.
“As the province, we are very proud and will continue supporting such pioneering work towards improving the lives of the people.
“Her knowledge, skills and years of experience have indeed contributed to making Gauteng’s public hospitals centres of excellence,” said Papo.
He noted that through Gray and other health workers’ initiatives in the province, the department has improved services for mothers and children.
These included the opening of an additional Kangaroo Mother Care Unit at Tshwane District Hospital, and ensuring that three out of every four new mothers are visited at home within six days of delivery.
“From [April 2011 to March 2012], approximately eight out of 10 pregnant women (80.5%) who were HIV-positive were placed on long-term anti- retroviral therapy (ART) as they were severely immuno-compromised.
“Although this is primarily intended to treat the mother, it also effectively prevents transmission of HIV to the baby. HIV positive women who do not require long-term ART during pregnancy receive a shorter course of ARVs,” Papo noted.
Gauteng has managed to cover 99% of babies who are born to HIV positive mothers. Only 3.6% of babies born to HIV positive mothers proved to be HIV infected when tested at the age of six weeks, a rate which is below the national target of 5%.
Gray said the next 10 years would see major achievements in the field of HIV research, achievements no one thought would be possible.
“Within the next 10 years, we will have an HIV vaccine and/or a microbicide that women can use,” said an optimistic Gray. – SAnews.gov.za
