Newsletter from the national HIV/AIDS and TB Programme, Pretoria
Number 34, 10 April 2003
2003 South African AIDS Conference
South Africa is scheduled to host its’ own AIDS Conference at Durban’s International Convention Centre (ICC) from 3 to 6 August this year, creating a platform for all who are infected and affected by the disease to come together in taking action. The first South African AIDS Conference is being planned and organised by the same members of the organising committee that brought to South African shores the XIII International AIDS Conference held in July 2000, and is chaired by Prof. Jerry Coovadia. The conference secretariat, in keeping with the theme of the conference has been aptly named Dira Sengwe Conferences (a non-profit organisation registered in terms of Section 21 of the Companies Act). Dira Sengwe when translated means to "Take Action". The organizers of the SA AIDS Conference 2003 are committed to providing a program of high quality, embodying the rigors of science and one that is firmly focused on the major advances in the prevention and treatment of this epidemic. It will further look into the socio-economic realities of this epidemic. The program will comprise of various formats including plenaries, parallel sessions, and symposiums.
The SA AIDS Conference aims at achieving a minimum of three thousand registrations and the organisers are confident that this will be one of the largest and most inclusive local AIDS conferences yet.
Delegates who wish to attend the 4-day SA AIDS Conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Durban, South Africa from the 3rd to the 6th of August 2003 are requested to visit the official SA AIDS Conference website at http://www.sa-aidsconference.com/ where one is able to submit a registration form online, download scholarship application forms as well as complete and submit abstract submissions for review.
Abstracts can be submitted for the following 5 tracks:
| Track 1: | Basic and Clinical Sciences |
| Track 2: | Social and Economic Sciences |
| Track 3: | Epidemiology, Prevention and Public Health |
| Track 4: | Startling Successes and Spectacular Failures |
| Track 5: | Human Rights, Ethics, Commitment and Action |
Reserve your space while taking advantage of the early registration fee, which closes on 1 May 2003. The fees are as follows:
| Before 1 May | R1 995 |
| Before 21 July | R2 223 |
| After 21 July | R2 565 |
| Accompanying person | R 114 |
DIRA SENGWE - Take Action
For more information, please contact the Conference Secretariat at (012) 481-2074 or aidsconference@samedical.org.
Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria
Prof. Richard Feachem, Director of the Global Fund, arrived in South Africa on Sunday 6 April for a one-week visit. The purpose of his visit is to finalise the funding South Africa received in the first round approved in April 2002. These funds are for Soul City, loveLife, as well as the Enhancing Care Initiative in KwaZulu-Natal.
Prof. Feachem also participated in other activities such as the celebration of World Health Day on 7 April in the Eastern Cape.
Reporting Guidance on HIV/AIDS: A GRI Resource Document
This is part of the wider reporting guidelines produced by the GRI to assist companies in reporting on issues of accountability and to become more transparent. The document offers a practical reporting framework for:
The document describes the need for HIV reporting. It states that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is threatening productivity and stability in economies and organisations worldwide. In many cases, however, management, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders are not cognisant of the full impact of the disease. Many are unaware of the programmes and policies available to assist a response, the effectiveness of various interventions, or the availability of reporting indicators to monitor the progress of organisations in management and prevention. Current information regarding corporate action on HIV/AIDS is inconsistent and incomplete. Case studies profile various interventions by the business community, yet information is not yet comprehensive. Consequently, it is difficult to compare and benchmark corporate performance on HIV/AIDS and to verify the accuracy of reported information.
This document therefore offers a set of HIV/AIDS reporting indicators as a practical contribution toward a detailed globally accepted standard for reporting. It was developed for South Africa so has a focus on that country, but GRI plan to test the guidelines for applicability elsewhere. The document outlines South African and international initiatives to improve HIV company reporting.
Indicators to be used in reporting are arranged under the following headings:
Indicators are presented for incremental use, with basic level and progressively more demanding indicators being provided.
Available online at:
http://www.globalreporting.org/guidelines/HIV/HIV-AIDSResourceDocument8.pdf
Important Dates and Meetings
24 March: World TB Day
Useful Websites
www.health.gov.za
www.aidsinfo.co.za
www.aidsdirectory.co.za
www.dpp.org.za
www.hst.org.za
www.global-campaign.org (for news on microbicides)
www.who.int/hiv
www.saavi.org.za
www.afroaidsinfo.org
www.lovelife.org.za
www.childaidsservices.org
www.equityproject.co.za
www.learnscapes.co.za
www.hivan.org.za
www.unaids.org
www.caprisa.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) 312-3122
e-mail: serenc@health.gov.za
Red Ribbon Resource Centre
For all requests of HIV/AIDS materials (posters etc.), please contact:
Tel: (011) 880-0405
Fax: (011) 880-8552
Address List for Chief Directorate
Fax: (012) 312-3122
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
Ms. Celicia Serenata
Project Manager: HIV/AIDS
serenc@health.gov.za