Prof Jerry Coovadia, Chairperson of the 13th International AIDS Conference held in Durban July 2000 announces the launch of the South African AIDS Conference 2003. The Conference will be held at the ICC Durban from 3-6 August 2003.
Now Chairperson of the first South African AIDS Conference 2003, Prof Jerry Coovadia, says, "There is a complaint, probably justifiable, that there are too many meetings and conferences on HIV/Aids. While this may seem to be so, we in South Africa are exposed to a catastrophe of massive proportions. This conference aims at nothing less than providing a comprehensive, holistic and precisely relevant programme for all stakeholders, including community representatives, business and the media. There is no equivalent meeting serving such a purpose. This conference leads directly from the hugely successful and landmark AIDS 2000; and one has the organisers promise of a worthy successor to the 2000 conference."
The South African Aids Conference 2003 is unique in that it combines science and the community to get a broader African perspective. Attendants can expect to hear both sides of the story from those in the know, as well as solutions to this worrying epidemic. Scientists in the research of HIV/Aids, medical professionals, government departments, NGOs, industry specialists, international organisations, businesses and media will all be present for this unique opportunity at sharing ideas.
The South African AIDS Conference 2003 is organised by the same non-profit organization that planned and managed the successful 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban in 2000.
For more information contact Tilda Reyneke at the South African AIDS Conference 2003 office on (012) 4812059 or tildar@samedical.org.
Mosvold Hospital is a 246-bed hospital situated in Ingwavuma- serving a poor indigent population of 110 000. The Friends of Mosvold Trust was started in 1995 to work with the hospital to fundraise to promote health development in Ingwavuma. Funds have been secured for vehicles for their immunization programme, nurses accommodation, vehicles for community health worker facilitations, AIDS education programme, schools AIDS education, and a home-based care programme.
The ultimate goal of the project is to provide high quality health services to the indigent population of Ingwavuma by the identification, training and support of local students who have the potential to become health care providers. However, the scheme is much more than a locally based scholarship scheme - the open days held at the hospital provide career information to local scholars, successful students provide a beacon of hope to others in the area about what is possible with focus and hard work and the current students are peer AIDS educators and role models in the area. Other goals include:
To date this programme has achieved the following:
For more information, please contact Dr. Andrew Ross at (035) 591-0122 or h993393@dohho.kzntl.gov.za
On 28 November 2002 the MRC launched the AfroAidsinfo portal (www.afroaidsinfo.org), an HIV/AIDS information resource for the SADC community. The portal aims to act as a central deposit for information on issues relating to HIV, AIDS and STIs. The portal environment divides the content into 5 categories, namely:
The importance of this information portal will be the ability to add information to it as becomes available. Information/documents for the website can be e-mailed to afroaidsinfo@mrc.ac.za for review and possible inclusion.
In response to escalating HIV infections among women, South Africa's Medical Research Council (MRC) will be launching the country's first microbicide research initiative. Microbicides produce a chemical barrier that could substantially reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other STIs when used in the vagina or rectum. They can come in many forms, including gels, creams, suppositories, films, or in the form of a sponge or vaginal ring.
Although microbicides would probably never be as effective as condoms in preventing infection, women who seldom or never use condoms could lower their overall risk of infection by using a microbicide, Dr Gita Ramjee, director of the HIV Prevention Unit, told PlusNews.
Men, however, also played a crucial role in microbicide research, she added. "We need their commitment and involvement to make this happen." The HIV Prevention Research Unit of the MRC launched the initiative on Wednesday during a two-day workshop on microbicides. The project will create partnerships with other research organisations and the Department of Health, and will focus on women controlled methods of prevention.
"South Africa has done numerous trials on microbicides. In fact we are currently the leading country doing research on microbicides," Ramjee added. But microbicides are not yet available. "Research like this takes time, we are hoping to see them made available in the next 5 or 6 years. But when they become available, our studies show that they will be highly acceptable," Ramjee said. She added that educating "the woman on the street" was an important part of the initiative. "Women need to know that they will soon have the power to negotiate safe sex."
Information obtained from Irin News - www.irinnews.org
On 5 December 2002 the Human Sciences Research Council released a report on the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa, based on a study conducted earlier this year. Approximately 9000 people participated in this study, which included a seroprevalence component.
This study has highlighted some very interesting results, especially as it relates to seroprevalence rates in the provinces. Of particular interest are the findings that relate to impact of prevention programmes. There are good indications of behaviour change (e.g. consistent use of condoms, abstinence, reduction in partner exchange), especially among young people. Another finding that is significant for the Health Department is that the public finds condoms easily accessible, and that treatment for STIs is available and effective.
Several challenges remain, including ensuring access to services, and targeting people over the age of 35 with prevention interventions, where HIV rates remain high. To address this multitude of challenges, the government has increased the budget for dedicated HIV/AIDS interventions to R3.3 billion over the next 3 years. However, more resources are needed, especially at community level, and building the capacity and funding levels of NGOs and CBOs is of primary importance.
The full report is available on the HSRC website, www.hsrc.ac.za
www.health.gov.za
www.aidsinfo.co.za
www.aidsdirectory.co.za
www.dpp.org.za
www.hst.org.za
www.lovelife.org.za
www.childaidsservices.org
www.equityproject.co.za
www.unaids.org
You are also encouraged to share information on other useful websites. Feedback on the Department of Health website would be especially valuable.
Compiled by Celicia M Serenata
Project Manager: HIV/AIDS
Tel: (012) 312-0128
Fax: (012) 326-2891
e-mail: serenc@health.gov.za
For all requests of HIV/AIDS materials (posters etc.), please contact:
Tel: (011) 880-0405
Fax: (011) 880-8552
Fax: (012) 326-2891 or (012) 323-7323
Dr. Nono Simelela
Chief Director: HIV/AIDS and TB
Tel: (012) 312-0121
simeln@health.gov.za
Collen Bonnecwe
Director: HIV/AIDS (NGOs)
Tel: (012) 312-0137
bonnec@health.gov.za
Thami Skenjana
Director: GAAP
Tel: (012) 312-0133
Fax: (012) 325-0165
Dr. Refiloe Matji
Director: TB
Tel: (012) 312-0106
Fax: (012) 326-4365
matjir@health.gov.za
Dr. Rose Mulumba
Director: HIV/AIDS and STIs
mulumr@health.gov.za