This week, at the 21st International AIDS Conference, taking place July 18—22 in Durban, South Africa, PATH experts will showcase our work mobilizing local communities, public and private partners, governments, and leaders to tackle HIV head on.
PATH's efforts to develop, introduce, and evaluate technology and service delivery innovations that expand access to affordable HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care services, fit squarely in the "Access Equity Rights Now," theme for this year's conference. Reaching individuals who are not currently being reached with HIV services and linking them to the prevention to treatment cascade now is critical to controlling the epidemic. Dr. Johannes van Dam, Director of HIV/TB & Health Systems Innovation and Delivery, notes "the challenge facing the global community is how to implement test-and-treat in a way that is equitable, not just economical, and that reaches the numbers of people required to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets."
At the AIDS 2016 conference, PATH experts will present our organization's work and insights on our technology, systems strengthening, and use of data for prevention, care, and treatment, and bring back ideas and opportunities for collaboration and how we can further contribute to ending the epidemic.
Please join us at our booth (Stand 305) in the North Plaza of the Exhibition Marquee and follow us on Twitter (@PATHTweets) to learn more about our innovations and current programming in HIV and the activities detailed below:
Tuesday, July 19
Are HIV-affected populations willing and able to pay for HIV prevention goods and services?
Tuesday; 12:30-14:30; Poster Exhibition Area
Bao Vu, Deputy Chief of Party, Healthy Markets will present results from a cross-sectional study in Vietnam.
The "Drug Stock-outs Kills! Stop it" Campaign:Coalition, Data and Diplomacy drive Results in Uganda.
Tuesday; 12:30-14:30; Poster Exhibition Area
Poster presentation by Moses Dombo, Chief of Party, Advocacy for Better Health Project.
Wednesday, July 20
WACI health/international AIDS vaccine initiative HIV R&D investment report launch
Wednesday; 17:30-21:00; Durban Manor Hotel
WACI (World Aids Campaign International) Health and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative will be launching and disseminating an HIV research and development (R&D) investment report. The South Africa Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition (SAHTAC) will present on membership terms, advocacy strategies and plans, as well as provide an update on general progress achieved to date. PATH's Simba Onyancha will facilitate the session and Yolanda Moyo will present on SAHTAC.
Integrating community health services and health facility Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV program
Wednesday; 12:30-14:30; Poster Exhibition Area
Senior HIV Officer, Sophy Mabasa, to share lessons from the Feeding Buddies Window of Opportunity Project, KwaZulu-Natal.
Is HIV self-testing acceptable to key populations in Vietnam?
Wednesday; 12:30-14:30; Poster Exhibition Area
Results from a cross-sectional study of men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers, and people who inject drugs to be presented Chief of Party for PATH's Healthy Markets project in Vietnam, Kim Green.
Lay provider HIV testing services for key populations
Wednesday; 12:30-14:30; Poster Exhibition Area
Preliminary results from a new strategy to accelerate UNAIDS 90-90-90 in Vietnam to be presented by Bao Vu.
Thursday, July 21
Research literacy zone
Thursday; 11:00-12:30; Global Village, Durban International Convention Centre
PATH Research and Advocacy Officer, Yolanda Moyo, will speak at this event emphasizing the importance of increasing support for HIV research and implementation science; expand the network of advocates to engage communities, researchers, and other key stakeholders; increase the ability of advocates and community educators to translate and disseminate information; and to articulate feedback into research programs.
(Hyper)linkages: Showcasing and discussing online MSM community-based approaches for PrEP, HIV self-testing, and treatment adherence
Thursday; 16:15-17:15; Session Room 1, Durban International Convention Centre
Kim Green will be facilitating and speaking at this session focused on highlighting examples of innovative information communication technologies (ICTs) used for HIV programming among MSM by global, national, and community-based organizations. Offering lessons learned from ICT models used to address "leaks" in the HIV cascade–through prevention (including PrEP), testing, linkage to care and treatment, adherence, and viral suppression. The benefits of partnerships between community-based, government, and private-sector partners are a major part of this discussion. This talk-show style format increases visibility of MSM use of ICTs in a community-based response to HIV, understanding of innovative and effective community-based communication ICT programming among MSM, and opportunities for collaboration between CBOs, government, and the private sector.
What it takes to make HIV self-testing a global reality: Evidence, quality-assured products, and country uptake
Thursday; 18:30-20:30; Session Room 6, Durban International Convention Centre
This satellite session, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), PATH, LINKAGES/FHI 360, PSI, and the Asian Pacific Coalition of Male Sexual Health (APCOM), will present the WHO's latest guidance on HIV self-testing (HIVST), WHO prequalification processes for HIVST, and country experiences with implementing HIVST in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The session will include a panel of donors that will address current priorities and perspectives on what needs to happen to make HIVST a global reality. PATH Research Scientist Roger Peck will serve as a moderator for this session and Kim Green will present on PATH's experience with HIV self-testing in Vietnam.
Factors that influence or impede low dead space syringes
Thursday; 12:30-14:30; Poster Exhibition Area
Kim Green addresses syringe use among people who inject drugs in Vietnam.
Use of community-level evidence informed behavioural interventions (EBIs) as a strategy for HIV risk-reduction in young people
Thursday; 12:30-14:30; Poster Exhibition Area
PATH author James Kanyi contributes results from counties served by APHIAplus Kamili in Kenya.
More information
About the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016)
The International AIDS Conference is the largest conference on any global health or development issue. First convened during the peak of the AIDS epidemic in 1985, this conference continues to provide a unique forum for the intersection of science and advocacy, and an opportunity to strengthen policies and programs to ensure an evidence-based response to the epidemic. The conference also serves as a focal point to intensify political and financial commitments to AIDS. The next International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) will be held in Durban, South Africa (18-22 July 2016).