HIVSA “ACTS AND CONNECTS” AT THE 11TH SA AIDS CONFERENCE 2023 CONT

Neo Mohajane keeps the engagements going …

With commitment and focus, on Thursday (22 June) HIVSA’s HSS Programme Director, Neo Mohajane kept the engagements going by moderating a panel discussion themed “Acting decisively to end the epidemic”. Amongst the panellists was United States ambassador to South Africa, ambassador Reuben Brigety II, who recommitted the US’ support for South Africa’s HIV response, followed by the WHO’s resident representative to South Africa, Dr Norbert Kaluwa, who indicated that South Africa is on track to ensure its preparedness for future and emerging health threats. Another panellist, Prof Norbert Ndjeka who is the Chief Director for TB Control and Management, under the National Department of Health in South Africa, told delegates that although integration of TB and HIV services is working well and the proportion of people with HIV in the TB cohort has decreased, more still needs to be done as 10% of TB patients do not know their status and mortality is still high among TB patients.

Prior to the panel discussions, Dr Thembisile Xulu, CEO of the South Africa National AIDS Council (SANAC) unpacked the new NSP on HIV, TB & STIs (2023- 2028). She observed that the new NSP requires significant financial investment to the tune of an estimated R268m to be fully operationalised. The role of evidenced-based programming was also illustrated by Prof Khangelani Zuma of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) who spoke about the importance of surveillance in informing policy and strategies. “We can only manage what we know”, he says.