The enormity of the devastation in Sub-Sahara Africa caused by HIV/AIDS can best be measured in the most dire of human terms - in the drastically reduced life expectancy, in the steadily decreasing workforce, and in the virtually unchecked proliferation of abject, unspeakable poverty. If one must quantify such human suffering, the most recent figures provide only a surface glimpse of the tragedy. For example, by the end of 2002, Sub-Sahara Africa represented 29.4 million of the estimated 42 million HIV/AIDS cases globally. And the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malawi is one of the most severe in Sub-Saharan Africa; approximately 850,000 among many nations' populations are living with HIV/AIDS.

Recently, Dr. Peggy Valentine, professor in the Division of Allied Health Sciences, discussed her research and efforts to address the problem in Malawi.

"As HIV/AIDS treatment becomes available, a strong laboratory infrastructure will be crucial to support HIV diagnosis, monitoring of treatment effectiveness and surveillance. The current laboratory infrastructure faces several challenges. Much of the equipment is outdated, supplies and reagents are in short supply, and there is a great need to upgrade the knowledge and skills of laboratory personnel. When these factors are combined with the loss of personnel to the private sector and early death, laboratories in Malawi are further challenged to support public health needs," Dr. Valentine explains.

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