The Durban International Convention Centre hosted the 11th SA Aids Conference, which kicked off on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, and ended on Friday, June 23, 2023. The conference served as a platform for experts to share knowledge, experiences, and research findings on HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Also, to assess the government’s response to HIV/AIDS, other STIs, and tuberculosis (TB) following the COVID Pandemic and identify emerging priorities as the country moves forward with efforts and strategies to end HIV as a public health threat.

Attending the conference were more than 1,000 delegates, which included exhibitors, government representatives, civil society, and the HIV community under the theme “Act, Connect, and End the Epidemic.” The conference featured a variety of sessions and presentations, with topics ranging from the latest scientific research on HIV prevention and treatment to community-based approaches for addressing the epidemic.
The importance of community engagement in ending the epidemic and the focus on the integration of HIV, TB, and STI programmes, PrEP use among key populations, behavioural-changing interventions, and decriminalisation of sex work were emphasised by the keynote speakers. Keynote speakers included leading experts in the field, community members, activists, and government officials.

Among the keynote speakers was our very own Dr. Atom Dilraj (pictured), who presented our findings on key populations on the second day of the conference, during the Approaches to Prevention session, under the title “Event-driven PrEP awareness and acceptability among transgender people and men who have sex with men.” Dr. Ayman Osman also represented us at the conference for business networking purposes with potential collaborators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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