Community advisory Board was established in 2002 in conjunction with the Clinical HIV Research Unit .One of the goals of the research unit was to educate the community about HIV/AIDS. Establish relationships with community leaders and to recruit patients for HIV clinical trials. Prior to commencing trials within a community, it is essential that the community is educated, involved in all processes and informed of all aspects of clinical trials. The Cab compromises of a varied group of volunteers; they provide input in study design and local procedures fulfilling the following roles.
• They serve as a voice for the community and study participants.
• Assist in the planning, developments and implementation of HIV and TB drugs trials.
• Strengthen community mobilization, awareness and involvement in clinical drug research.
• Educate communities about HIV/TB disease and treatment.
• Identify community concerns and perceptions about clinical trials and ensure that they are addressed in the study design. The Clinical HIV Research Unit has expanded its services to Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre. On the 28 of July 2012, a Community Advisory forum was established at Witkoopen clinic, nine community members attended the meeting. Induction training was done for the members to get them to understand the novel ideas of a community scientific research. The community raised concerns about clinical studies on what happens to trial participants at the end of the studies, do they get treatment on compassionate use. How are we going to disseminate results at the end of the study? Will South Africans have access to the medication if they have been proven to be effective? How will CAF best convey scientific terms in the community?
