Historic Congress to save lives
Tuesday, June 25, 2002 HIVAN, TAC, 25 June, 2002.
On Thursday, 27 June 2002, the TAC/COSATU National Treatment Congress begins at the Coastlands Conference Centre in Durban. The aim of the congress is to debate and build a national consensus between civil society and government around a comprehensive, emergency strategy to save lives, by stemming the rise in HIV/AIDS, through campaigns on education, prevention, diet, counselling and treatment.
Another key aim is to unite civil society to implement and move beyond the Cabinet statement of 17 April 2002.
Over 700 delegates, including doctors, nurses, trade unionists, people living with HIV and AIDS, scientists and religious leaders, are coming from every corner of South Africa - from urban and rural areas, from the public and private sectors - to participate.
The Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN) has contributed a sum of R10 000 to assist with providing transport and accommodation to those delegates who cannot afford to bear such costs.
TAC believes the Congress will be the most representative meeting on HIV/AIDS and health in South Africa's history.
Some of the most senior representatives of the Department of Health will join the debates and discussions.
This includes Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba, the Director-General; and Dr Nono Simelela, the Chief Director, HIV/AIDS and STDs Directorate.
Other keynote speakers include Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, Ms Pregs Govender, chairperson of Parliament's committee on the status of women, and Dr. Christina Dalmeida from the Brazilian government's pharmaceutical manufacturer,
FarManguinhos. Dr. Joseph Essombo, a clinician from the Ivory Coast, will also address the conference while delegates from SADC countries will also attend.
Results from the MSF anti-retroviral therapy pilot project at primary health-care level will also be discussed.
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