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The Israeli Who Fights AIDS in Africa

The Israeli Who Fights AIDS in Africa

July 19, 2011

Medical Research

BGU’s Prof. Zvi Bentwich has already received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Israeli government for his work combating AIDS in Israel and Africa. But, he’s not in retirement mode yet.

The 75-year old director of the Center for Emerging Tropical Diseases and AIDS at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) recently returned to Israel from his 16th trip to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is where he’s worked for years to eradicate common parasitic infestations that contribute to Africa’s AIDS and tuberculosis epidemics.

His own research uncovered the strong link between intestinal worms and immune system deficiencies in the 1990s.

You could say that fighting disease is a family business for Bentwich. He is the grandson of Dr. Hillel Yaffe, Israel’s legendary malaria fighter.

“I always said my grandmother probably brainwashed me to be like my grandfather, because she lived with us,” he tells ISRAEL21c with a laugh. “At the age of nine, I already was saying I wanted to be doctor. I am fortunate that I love this profession – I always thought it was made for me.”

Read the full story on ISRAEL21c >>