The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation - the umbrella organisation for the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at UCT - received a R3.3-million boost from the French Development Agency (AFD) this week.

After AFD CEO Jean-Michel Severino (right in picture) visited some of the Foundation's research sites in Cape Town, including the Hannan Crusaid Clinic in nearby Gugulethu, he joined Archbishop Desmond Tutu - and, also in picture, UCT's Dr Linda-Gail Bekker - for a special signing ceremony.

The financial award follows on a state visit by the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, early in 2008.

The money will go towards a research project that will promote HIV testing and investigate models to streamline treatment of HIV and tuberculosis in co-infected patients.