Paladin and Langer Heinrich Uranium (Pty) Ltd (LHUPL) are supporting clinical trials in southern Africa of an HIV therapeutic vaccine developed by the Melbourne-based biopharmaceutical research firm, Virax Holdings Limited. The VIR201 vaccine is designed to treat people already infected by HIV and has been tested successfully in two clinical trials in Australia. LHUPL and Paladin have joined a consortium of international mining companies active in Africa by contributing $US150,000 towards the cost of the more extensive follow up trial currently underway at four HIV/AIDS clinics across South Africa. Virax has reported good progress with the clinical trial to-date.
Paladin is working with the Malawi AIDS Counselling and Resource Organization (MACRO) and Malawi’s National AIDS Commission to develop a long-term strategy to address HIV/AIDS issues both in the workplace and the broader community. This action program will supplement the HIV/AIDS education program currently conducted among the Kayelekera construction workforce. The Company also is in discussion with international agencies and Malawian non-government organizations with the objective of coordinating HIV/AIDS initiatives in the Kayelekera-Karonga region.
HIV/AIDS is also a serious issue in Namibia. At LHUPL, five employees volunteered during 2009 to train as peer educators for the Company’s HIV/AIDS awareness programme. Peer educators received initial and advanced training on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in a programme co-ordinated by the Namibian Chamber of Mines, of which LHUPL is an active member.