JOHANNESBURG – South Africa launched a new HIV/AIDS research initiative Tuesday aimed at stimulating scientific studies into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
South Africa had about 5.2 million people living with HIV last year - the highest number of any country in the world.
The government is under pressure to show its commitment to combat AIDS after years of official denial, neglect and unscientific responses that fueled the world's worst AIDS crisis.
The South Africa HIV/AIDS Research and Innovation Platform (SHARP) aims to back research including studies on new or improved treatments, drug design, gene research and vaccines.
The Department of Science and Technology has pledged 45 million rand ($5.8 million) over the next three years to fund nine research proposals.
South Africa launched an AIDS vaccine created by its own researchers last week, but the proud moment was marred when it emerged that state funding for the trial had been halted.
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