Scientists widen hunt for elusive Aids cure

• Scholars now target popular CBD spots in the continuing search for solution

Efforts to establish why the famous Majengo prostitutes continue to defy the Aids causing virus have now been intensified to include women operating in the central business district.

For almost two decades, some of the best scientists in the world, using state of the art facilities, have been trying to find out why these women are not infected with HIV despite constant exposure.

While the first attempt to design a candidate vaccine around this theory failed three years ago, scientists at the universities of Nairobi and Manitoba, Canada have mounted a new and more comprehensive assault on the problem using the same women.

Bars and brothels

Previous efforts were manly restricted to Majengo areas of Nairobi, but now the researchers have cast their net much wider with their teams recruiting volunteers right inside the City in such popular drinking places like Good Hope, Modern Green, Karumaido (Sabina Joy), Three Aden and Simmers.

The move to include prostitutes working in the CBD started 12 months ago, according to Dr Joshua Kimani, the programme’s clinical director. The first phase involved mobilising these women from their working stations -- bars and brothels and educating them on safe sex, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Those willing to be tested for HIV, or treated for other venereal diseases, were referred to a clinic in Majengo.

“However, this did not work well because only about a quarter of those mobilised went for services at the Majengo clinic with the rest citing distance, lack of bus fare and time as some of the obstacles. Consequently there was need to bring the services closer to the clients,” Dr Kimani said in Nairobi last week.

So in August, a classy and chic clinic was opened at the AJS building along Keekorok Road, opposite the famous strip joint called Liddos.

“It was important to open a facility with an attractive face because most of our clients are young, flashy and fashionable,” says Dr Kimani.

So far the facility has screened and treated some 500 prostitutes and reached another 1,500 with safe sex education.

Another similar facility; Family Care Centre, operates at Ribeiro House, next to Ramogi Studio on Luthuli Avenue, Nairobi.

However, this facility is run by an NGO called Family Health Options Kenya and also caters for other publics.

Free condoms

Dr Kimani was categorical that no research is carried out at the Keekrok Road clinic called Sex Workers Outreach Programme or SWOP.

“This clinic acts as a drop-in centre where this marginalised group can access free condoms, quality health information and care in a safe haven,” says Dr Kimani.

However, those prostitutes who volunteer to participate in research are referred to the Majengo clinic.

Other areas in Nairobi where various Aids research related vaccine activities are going on include Kangemi, Korogocho, Pumwani, Kibera and Majengo.