Medical Chronicle November/December 2013 | Page 46

HIV/TB FORUM
New developments in HIV
PROF IAN SANNE ICASA Conference Co-Chair
Healthcare professionals, especially
those dealing with HIV and AIDS, TB
and sexually transmitted infections,
need to be constantly at the forefront
of new developments and approaches.
One of the most effective ways of
learning about developments is at
conferences specially focusing on
these diseases. The 17th International
Conference on AIDS and STIs in

Africa (ICASA) is taking place in Cape
Town from 7-11 December 2013.
“This regional gathering will
explore progress in the sci ence
relating to TB, HIV and AIDS.
During this conference, high quality
science around these issues will
be presented and the outcomes
of the presentations will enhance
patient care while also informing

the strategic decisions required to
continue to secure health financing
to meet the millennium development
goals,” said Prof Ian Sanne, CEO and
director of Right to Care and Co-chair
of ICASA.
The conference has three main
categories: A scientific programme,
a leadership programme and a
community programme.

FDC

Odimune
NONE SHALL BE DENIED

Tenofovir DF 300 mg
Emtricitabine 200 mg
Efavirenz 600 mg

FDA

APPROVED

WHO

PRE-QUALIFIED

3-in-1
ONCE DAILY

R390.00

1

FIXED DOSE
COMBINATION

Recommended as preferred 1st line regimen
by national and international guidelines2, 3

“Simplify, simplify.”
Henry David Thoreau
Philosopher

The scientific programme has
five tracks:
• Basic Science
• Clinical Science, Treatment and
Care
• Epidemiology and Prevention
Science
• Social Science, Human Rights
and Political Science
• Health Systems, Economics and
Implementation Science.
“An indication of the importance
attached to the conference is the
fact that we received 3341 abstract
submissions. Of these, we accepted
1312, which is significant. There will
be three days of presentations with
plenary speakers covering the key
areas of HIV prevention, and treatment
and research at ICASA, making it the
premier HIV and AIDS conference on
the continent and certainly a conference
not to be missed by any healthcare
professional,” said Prof Sanne.
South African President Jacob
Zuma, Dr Joyce Banda, President of the
Republic of Malawi Dr Aaron Motsoaledi,
Minister of Health, are among the highlevel speakers who have confirmed their
attendance to ICASA.
President Zuma will deliver the
opening address at the conference
on 7 December. Dr Motsoaledi will
speak on the leadership needed in the
fight against HIV and AIDS on the
continent at the conference’s closing
ceremony. President Banda will
address the conference on ‘HIV and
Women: From double to zero’, while
Festus Mogae, the Former President
of Botswana, will speak on ‘Shared
responsibility and global solidarity’.
In addition, Dr Christine M KasebaSata, the First Lady of the Republic of
Zambia, will deliver a keynote address
at the opening.
The presence of current and former
African heads of state and ministers is
an indication of the importance African
governments have attached to the
conference. It comes at a time when
these governments are increasingly
under pressure to deliver meaningful
results in the fight against STIs, TB,
HIV and AIDS in their countries.
For more information, go to
www.icasa2013southafrica.org

International
Conference on AIDS and
STIs in Africa (ICASA)

REFERENCE:
1. SEP excl. VAT
2. The use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection (WHO Guidelines-June 2013).
3. The South African Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines 2013.

CTICC, Cape Town
S4 Reg. No. 44/20.2.8/0779

46 MEDICAL CHRONICLE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

7-11 December