Durban - Hundreds of delegates from around the world are gathering at Durban’s International Convention Centre this morning for the International Aids Conference, with many here hoping the gathering will usher in a fresh approach in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Over 12 000 delegates from 180 countries across the globe are expected to attend the conference organised by the International Aids society. The theme of this year’s gathering is “access, equity, rights now”.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who heads the government’s HIV/AIDS programme, has said the return of the conference to South Africa was a sign of how far South Africa had come in the 16 years since the event was last held in the country.
Security is tight in and around the Durban ICC, ahead of the official programme, which is set to begin at midday on Monday.
South Africa is expected to use the gathering to showcase it’s intervention in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The country has made inroads against the disease and the number of new HIV infections in South Africa has dropped from more than 500 000 in 2004 to an estimated 330 000 in 2013.
The rate of babies being born with HIV has decreased significantly from 8% in 2008 to 2.6% in 2013. The number of children 0‒14 years living with HIV and on antiretroviral treatment has increased from only 42 000 in 2009 to 166 000 in 2014. Over three million of the six million estimated people who are living with HIV is in South Africa and are receiving treatment.
Delegates at the Durban conference are expected to call for a renewed commitment to invest in research and development that could lead to new options for a vaccine and functional cure for HIV.
The conference coincides with Nelson Mandela International Day and South Africa’s message is expected to be premised on the late former President's call that the fight against HIV “is in our hands”.
In his message, President Jacob Zuma has said that South Africa is pleased to host the conference and has committed government to further its fight against HIV.
“We stand ready to extend a warm welcome to thousands of international delegates. Our country has made great progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS as well as TB in the past few years. The quality of life for people living with HIV has improved dramatically since our policy turnaround in 2009,” President Zuma said.
He added that HIV positive people are living longer and lead healthier lives thanks to wider access to treatment. More people are taking the HIV test due to improved awareness programme and access to treatment.
The conference ends on Friday. - SAnews.gov.za
