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Microbicide clinical trial victims probed |
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Friday, 05 February 2010 |
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has started investigating circumstances that led to 46 women contracting HIV and AIDs virus during the failed microbicide clinical trials in Mazabuka.
Mazabuka, January 5 -- The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has started investigating circumstances that led to 46 women contracting HIV and AIDs virus during the failed microbicide clinical trials in Mazabuka.
HRC Investigations Officer Peter Kanunka who is the leading the team of investigators told ZANIS in Mazabuka, today, that the investigations are progressing well with a number of key stakeholders holders having been interviewed so far.
Mr Kanunka said outspoken Chief Mwanachingwala was yesterday interviewed and a number of participants who took part in the failed trials.
He also commended management at the embattled Microbicide Development Programmme (MDP) for cooperating with the investigations.
The commission is also expected to pay a courtesy call on Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba this afternoon.
And Chief Mwanachingwala has revealed that a team of foreign Journalists from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is expected to interview him on the failed clinical trials.
He said BBC news crew has already made an appointment to conduct the interview.
MDP was administering a drug called PRO 2000, to determine the efficacy of the drug in blocking the transmission of HIV and AIDs on HIV negative women.
However the drug failed its effectiveness as it resulted in some women on the study contracting the virus.
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