Conference to discuss HIV/Aids
The Ekurhuleni Aids Council will host the Ekurhuleni HIV and Aids conference at the Springs Civic Centre on Thursday and Friday this week.
According to a statement from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), the conference follows the perception that the rate of HIV infection in Ekurhuleni is ever-increasing, and the conference seeks to find reasons behind such an increase and to arrest the situation.
The conference will bring stakeholders together, from local and provincial government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations for a mid-term review of the EMM’s strategic plan on HIV and Aids, STIs and TB.
The conference is themed Ekurhuleni – Stepping up the pace against HIV and AIDS, and day one of the conference will include presentations by Dr Elizabeth Floyd from the Gauteng Department of Health, Ekurhuleni’s head of department for health, Dr Gilbert Motlatla, as well as a keynote address by the executive mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele.
On Friday, delegates will break into commissions according to the priorities set out in the Strategic Plan of 2012 to 2016.
The priorities are:
- Addressing social and cultural drivers of HIV, STI and TB prevention, care and impact.
- Preventing new HIV, STI and TB infections.
- Sustaining health and wellness.
- Ensuring protection of human rights and improving access to justice.
- Strategic enablers, effective and transparent governance, effective communication, monitoring, evaluation and research.
The outcomes of these commissions will be added to the EMM’s plans for the coming year, in pursuit of the global vision of an ‘AIDS Free Generation’.
The conference starts at 8am and ends at 4pm on both days.
