February 12, 2024

A group discreetly enhances the well-being of individuals in the Eastern Cape

Operating quietly under the radar of mainstream media, the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), led by clinical researcher Remco Peters in the Eastern Cape, is steadily and significantly improving local healthcare systems.
Adapting national policies to suit local conditions and ensuring relevance and local ownership, the FPD research unit prioritizes enhancing patient outcomes and bolstering the quality of healthcare delivery. This mission is accomplished through robust partnerships with the local department of health, non-governmental organizations, community-based groups, and other stakeholders.
A community advisory board, representing relevant structures, ensures the projects' local relevance and cultural appropriateness.
Remco Peters' FPD clinical research team, consisting of approximately 60 staff members including nurses, field and trial site workers, doctors, and lab technicians, operates from an administrative office in East London, with a clinical trial site at Ndevana near Qonce and sexually transmitted infections research infrastructure at five facilities in the Buffalo City region.
The team primarily focuses on sexual health, exemplified by projects such as rapid diagnostic testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnancy. The goal is to effectively implement these initiatives by screening women for STIs and providing same-day treatment, thereby improving patient outcomes. For instance, if a pregnant woman tests positive for syphilis, a major cause of stillbirth, the team ensures she receives timely access to the necessary drugs by addressing stock shortages and facilitating their delivery to her clinic.
Additionally, the FPD's holistic approach extends to mental health programs, which have influenced the formulation of specific mental health objectives in the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs, 2023-28.
Remco Peters, a Dutch-born researcher with over 15 years of experience in South Africa, actively participates in various national and international technical working groups, including those at the World Health Organization.
Over the past four years, Peters has established the Ndevana clinical trial site to ensure the Eastern Cape population's inclusion in groundbreaking research and early access to potential new products. He has also spearheaded projects aimed at optimizing antiretroviral treatment adherence in key populations and addressing antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea.
However, Peters voices concerns about foreign entities conducting research in impoverished rural communities without ethical considerations, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and involving local capacity building and benefit in research grants.
The FPD's efforts, though modest, play a significant role in leveraging knowledge to strengthen healthcare delivery in the Eastern Cape. By bridging the gap between community development, service delivery, and systems strengthening, the FPD aims to make a lasting impact on the struggling healthcare sector in the region.