Frequently asked questions
- What do the abbreviations PHRU and HIVSA stand for?
- What is the difference between HIVSA and the PHRU? What's their relationship?
- Where are HIVSA and the PHRU based?
- Who funds the PHRU?
- What sort of research does the PHRU conduct?
- What's the easiest way to get in touch?
- How do I get to HIVSA and the PHRU?
- How can I help these organisations fight HIV/AIDS?
- Where can I find out more about HIV/AIDS?
- What if I have a question that isn't answered here?
What do the abbreviations PHRU and HIVSA stand for?
PHRU stands for the Perinatal HIV Research Unit. The word HIVSA is simply made up of "HIV", as in "Human Immunodeficiency Virus", and "SA", for South Africa.What is the difference between HIVSA and the PHRU? What's their relationship?
HIVSA and the PHRU have an extremely close relationship and are both based at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa.The PHRU conducts research into the continuum of HIV/AIDS from prevention through treatment to palliative care.
HIVSA, which was formed a few years after the PHRU, supplements these research programmes with psycho-social support programmes including food garden training, HIV education and support programmes.
For more see the PHRU "About us" section.
Where are HIVSA and the PHRU based?
Both are based at one of the world's largest hospitals, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital - an academic hospital with close ties to the University of the Witwatersrand.For detailed directions to the hospital (as well as to the HIVSA and PHRU premises) see the visitors' guide.
Who funds the PHRU?
As a result of the unit's excellent research, the PHRU has been very effective in developing proposals and receiving grants for them.Funding has grown dramatically in the past three years: more than 50 studies have been funded by domestic and international partners.
Funders range from major pharmaceutical companies - such as Boehringer Ingelheim and GlaxoSmithKline - to foreign universities, international foundations and the South African department of health.
For a list of all funders see PHRU funding.
What sort of research does the PHRU conduct?
In recent years the work of the PHRU has extended beyond research into the prevention of mother-to-child transmission to include treatment trials in adults and children, treatment research, prevention research and psychosocial research.The unit has also received funding from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative to develop capacity for HIV vaccine clinical trials.
For more see an overview of the PHRU's research or the list of all research projects in detail.
What's the easiest way to get in touch?
You can phone, email or fax us. See contact the PHRU.How do I get to HIVSA and the PHRU?
There are detailed directions to the hospital (as well as to the HIVSA and PHRU premises) at the HIVSA visitors' page and at the PHRU visitors' page.How can I help these organisations fight HIV/AIDS?
HIVSA welcomes donations that will allow it to continue its invaluable work with South Africans who are living with HIV/AIDS. If you are appropriately qualified you are also welcome to apply for an internship at the PHRU.Where can I find out more about HIV/AIDS?
You could consult some of these websites:- the Health Department's AIDS information website at www.aidsinfo.co.za
- the Aids portal www.redribbon.co.za, or
- the AIDS Law Project's site at www.alp.org.za.
What if I have a question that isn't answered here?
- Contact the PHRU on +27 11 989-9700 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- You can get in touch with HIVSA on +27 11 989-9700 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it