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Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
The epidemiology and pathophysiology of HIV--as seen by a South African
1Infectious Disease Clinical Research Unit, UCT Lung Institute, Mowbray, South Africa. lgbekker@cormack.uct.ac.za
Abstract:
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is probably the greatest calamity to befall South Africa. Millions of South Africans and possibly a whole generation will be lost as a result. The health, socioeconomic and personal loss is difficult to quantify. In an attempt to bring this world-wide problem to a level that can be understood and assimilated, an imaginary town, Kalamatiefontein, has been created. The effects of HIV/AIDS as modelled for South Africa are extrapolated to this town. To illustrate the devastation that a diagnosis of HIV positivity brings to an individual, a young woman from this town is introduced and her story related. Her options in South Africa today are discussed and a general plea is made across the nation for solidarity on this issue.
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