We opened a new research facility in Sunnydale, near Masiphumelele, on Wednesday the 20th of February.
We have partnered with the community of Masiphumelele for many years. In 2004 we opened a small research centre adjacent to the public clinic. The land was acquired later opposite Masiphumelele High School and a Youth Centre was built, followed by a large research centre created from prefab buildings left over from the 2010 World Cup.
The new Aerobiology Centre has been customed built to study the transmission of TB among humans. Although curable and preventable, South Africa still has one of the highest incidences of TB in the world. TB – in association with HIV, is the leading cause of death due to natural causes in our country. TB is caused by bacteria; the disease most often affects the lungs and is spread from person to person through the air.
This great occasion was hosted by Professor Emeritus Robin Wood (Director of DTHF) with Guest of Honour Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, (Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town). Opening speeches were given by Professor Linda-Gail (COO of DTHF) and Val Mizrahi (Director of Institute of Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases that gives DTHC & DTHF a home at UCT)
Note: One of the architects, Ashleigh Killa’s mum, Nicola, our senior pharmacist at J52 (Groote Schuur) for many, many years. She sadly passed away in 2015 but we know she would proud of this building, just like we are!