By Kuda Pembere and Michael Gwarisa
The 22nd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) ended on Saturday with calls to step up support for communities of people living with HIV for the elimination of the pandemic by 2030 being made.
Speaking on behalf of Zimbabwe’s Vice President Dr Constantine Chiwenga, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Fredrick Shava said it was important to put communities at the fore in HIV responses.
“I am particularly encouraged by the emphasis placed on strengthening community engagement and involvement. Community-led responses have proven to be effective in raising awareness, reducing stigma and discrimination, and improving access to prevention and treatment services.
“Let us therefore support and amplify the voices of those most affected by HIV and AIDS, STIs and Ebola at community level, so that their experiences can shape our policies and interventions,” the Vice President said.
VP Chiwenga also said multisectorial and all-inclusive approach is critical in the HIV response.
“The conference has reminded us of the importance of implementing comprehensive and evidence-based prevention strategies that prioritize vulnerable populations, including young people, sex workers and people who use drugs.
“By adopting a multi-sectorial, all-inclusive approach, we can create an enabling environment that fosters healthy behaviors and empowers individuals to take control of their sexual and reproductive health,” he said.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the conference had 78 oral abstract presentations, 19 non-abstract driven sessions, 13 special sessions, 8 workshops, 32 pre-conferences, 77 satellite sessions, 27 community village sessions, and 813 abstract posters as well as nearly 480 speakers.
“The conference reminded us that AIDS is not over and we must remain vigilant to ensure we effectively truncate and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 without leaving anyone behind. Spectacular as it may have been, we have to recognize that the conference is coming to its end and we must say goodbye.
“We need to make friends and connections, but still we must say goodbye. It is my fervent hope that the friendships and connections we have learned at the 22nd edition of ICASA to edify the response to HIV, Ebola, and other epidemics,” he said.
Society of AIDS in Africa (SAA) president Dr David Parirenyatwa said they will open the bid for countries to host the next ICASA conference for 2025 by March next year. He also said they will publish an international journal for this year’s conference.
ICASA director Luc Bodea said there were 8 118 attendants at the conference.
“And this time around, we have noticed that at the community village, we have 6,856 participants. 275 participants. The total participants for this ICASA Zimbabwe 22nd edition is 8,118 participants. As we are talking about participation, it is very important that we should talk about the scholarship. It is important to understand that the government of Zimbabwe gives 500 scholarships to the local people scholarships in person.
“And we give 1,571 scholarships. This year, we give a total of 1,771 scholarships. It is also important to notice that in terms of abstracts, we received 2,600 abstracts. And 2,540 was reviewed. 1,747 was rejected.
“And to run this ICASA 23, we run it with 78 oral abstracts. We also run it with 115 postcards. Let me conclude, Honorable, to say that in terms of program, for the five days, we organized 182 sessions We have 546 speakers coming from around the world,” he said.
