Mineseeker to Supply New Cost Effective AIDS Tests to Africa.LONDON -- "Fear is a terrible affliction, whether it is the fear of treading on a land mine or the fear of not knowing if you are HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. positive." - Nelson Mandela Noun 1. Nelson Mandela - South African statesman who was released from prison to become the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 (born in 1918)Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela , Johannesburg The Mineseeker Foundation has reached an agreement with Calypte, a US pharmaceutical company, to purchase a new AIDS test AIDS test Lab medicine Any test performed on a standard venipuncture blood specimen which detects HIV antibodies–ELISA, or antigens–eg, Western blot, or viral nucleic acid–eg, viral load by RNA. See Western blot. product called Aware(TM), that is based on a saliva swab that can be used in the field by non-medical personnel. The Foundation will fund the purchase of 1 million swabs, with an option on a further 4 million units. The swabs, now approved by the South African Health Authorities, has been trialled in Kenya and has proved to be as effective as leading blood test products - but without the necessity of a costly, medically supervised support structure. The new self-test HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome kit manufactured by Calypte is a world's first in the field of low-cost self-diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. Nelson Mandela said, "As a patron of Mineseeker, I totally support the AIDS test initiative. The tests will remove the fear of many people who believe they may be infected and who are nervous about blood testing. Fear is a terrible affliction, whether it is the fear of treading on a mine or the fear not knowing if you are HIV positive." Mike Kendrick, Founder of Mineseeker, said today, "While the primary objective of Mineseeker is the eradication of land mines, we are also committed to the regeneration of the local communities. Without that the clearance of mines is only part of the answer. Land will be returned to the people to grow food and a foster management programme installed to help re-establish themselves. This will mean growing good quality crops that will lift the natural immunity natural immunity n. See innate immunity. system - particularly helping AIDS sufferers. The introduction of the Aware product will help re-build the confidence of these communities." The Mineseeker Foundation Patrons include Nelson Mandela, Sir Richard Branson, Queen Noor of Jordan Queen Noor (Arabic: الملكة نور) (born August 23, 1951 in Washington, D.C.) is the fourth wife and widow of the late King Hussein of Jordan. She was born an American of Syrian, Swedish, Scottish, and English descent. , Graca Machel, international businessman John Paul DeJoria John Paul DeJoria (born in 1944 in Los Angeles) is famous as a former homeless man who went on to form two billion dollar businesses. Mr DeJoria graduated high school in 1962 and joined the Navy, which assigned him to the USS Hornet. and the actor Brad Pitt. The Foundation is supported by other leading NGOs including Feed the Children, The International Youth Foundation and The Salvation Army. The test packs will be donated to NGOs for distribution in the field or sold at cost. John Paul DeJoria, founder of Paul Mitchell hair care products and international philanthropist, added, "As a Patron of Mineseeker, it is my honor to be able to thank all the people and companies that are coming together in this initiative to help conquer AIDS in Africa. "It's vital to be able to accurately assess the scale of HIV/AIDS in Africa The HIV/AIDS epidemics spreading through the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa are highly varied. Although it is not correct to speak of a single African epidemic, Africa is without doubt the region most affected by the virus. in order that the precious resources available to fight this scourge are accurately targeted - and that's exactly what this new swab kit will enable us to do." |
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