ICASA kicks off this Monday
Story by Abigirl Tembo
THE stage is set for the 22nd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) which begins on Monday in Harare.
At least 5 000 delegates from across the world are expected in the country for ICASA which has attracted attention from various parts of the globe.
The biennial international conference is the main and largest African forum bringing together key HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and communicable disease stakeholders.
These include heads of state and government, ministers, national HIV programmes staff, advocates, scientists, policymakers, service providers, donors, civil society representatives, communities and people living with HIV and STIs.
National AIDS Council chief executive officer, Dr Bernard Madzima says the country is ready to host the prestigious event.
“Zimbabwe is now ready to welcome delegates to the main ICASA event which is starting tomorrow and everything is in place the committees that will run ICASA are the leadership committees and we also have the scientific committee and the community village. The community villages are open to everyone who can walk into the HICC and they will be able to come to the community village and be entertained there as well as sessions on HIV AIDS and other diseases. We also have exhibitors both local and international showcasing what they do in terms of HIV response, some of them are companies that manufacture ARVs,” he said.
ICASA 2023 provides an opportunity to highlight the challenges and successes of the HIV, hepatitis and STI responses across the African region while addressing HIV/STI research, and implementation science in the context of wider pandemic preparedness and response.
