Nurses meet ahead of AIDS conference

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Pretoria - The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) will host a two-day nurses’ meeting in preparation for the 21st International AIDS Conference.

The meeting will be held at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. It will see 200 nurses preparing for the conference and caucusing on relevant nursing matters, with the view to influence treatment policies and guidelines throughout the world.

DENOSA spokesperson Sibongiseni Delihlazo said about 100 nurses will come from abroad and 100 will be local nurses. They will share information on the best practices and lessons.

“With South Africa being at the forefront in the fight against the pandemic, with millions of patients in the country on the anti-retroviral treatment (ART) programme, South African nurses will share their success rate with nurses from the rest of the world,” said Delihlazo.

The International AIDS Conference will be held at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre from 18 – 22 July 2016. Over 12 000 delegates from 180 countries around the world are expected to attend the conference themed “Access Equity Rights – Now”.

The opening of the conference on 18 July 2016 will coincide with International Nelson Mandela Day. The South African government delegation will, in honour of the late former President Mandela, communicate the message that it is in our hands to create an HIV-free generation.

Government, however, recognises that the challenge to create an HIV-free generation will require the commitment and support of the international community, consistent investment in research and development that could lead to new options for vaccine and a functional cure for HIV.

South Africa is expected to utilise the conference to highlight its globally acclaimed national programme and share with the international community lessons and challenges deriving from its efforts aimed at tackling HIV and TB. – SAnews.gov.za