Tag: ICASA

Ghana To Host ICASA 2025

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) is delighted to announce that Ghana has been selected as the host country for the 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), which will take place in from 3rd to 8th December 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre. This prestigious event will convene global leaders, community, researchers, advocates, and healthcare professionals to further the continent’s fight against HIV/AIDS, STIs, Hepatitis, Malaria, TB, emerging viral infections and strengthening Africa’s Health systems. Since its inception…

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Governments should take ownership of VMMC programs says AVAC

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa To ensure the sustainability of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programs in the face of dwindling donor support and donor fatigue, African governments have been urged to fund and promote VMMC programs. Since VMMC was recommended by WHO and the UNAIDS in 2007 as key to HIV prevention in high prevalence settings, about 35 million men have accessed services across 15 VMMC priority countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. However, since inception, VMMC programs have been largely financed by donors and Multilateral funding agencies amidst indications that…

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Condoms Galore At CONDOMIZE Stand

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to promote safe sex, reduce HIV incidence and break the stigma around condoms, SAYWHAT’s CONDOMIZE campaign is riding on the ongoing ICASA conference to distribute free condoms and raise awareness of the benefits of safe sex. Located in the community hall at the ICASA, the CONDOMIZE stand has become a hive of activity as young people from across genders, disabilities, and backgrounds are getting free condoms as well as demonstrations on the correct and consistent use of condoms. The campaign kicked off in Epworth…

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ICASA Honours Dr Matsidiso Moeti

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) secretariat has awarded the World Health Organisation African Region (WHO-Afro) Director, Dr Matsidio Moeti the prestigious SAA Excellency award. The prize was handed to her during a plenary session at the ongoing International Conference for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted (STIs) in Africa (ICASA) conference running from December 4 to December 9 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). Presenting the award, SAA president, Dr David Parirenyatwa said it was in appreciation for her dedicated years of leadership and a symbol…

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Misuse of medicines is making infections difficult to treat

Michael Gwarisa

World AMR Awareness Week #WAAW2023 is observed globally: 18th to 24th November Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and become resistant to (or no longer respond to) medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result of drug resistance, medicines become ineffective, and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat. That is why AMR ranks among the top ten global health threats worldwide. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a problem driven by…

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ICASA To Proceed As Planned…Cholera Outbreak Under Control

Michael Gwarisa

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) says they have identified most cases and initiated patients on Cholera treatment and care, allaying any fears of a full-blown cholera outbreak of the proportions of 2008/09. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has been recording sporadic and isolated cases of Cholera mostly in rural communities and some peri-urban centres over the past few months, raising fears in some circles that the outbreak could derail hosting of the international Conference on AIDS and SITs in Africa (ICASA), slated for December 4 to 9 2023.…

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Zimbabwe To Use Dual Prevention Pill That Protects Against HIV Infection and Unintended Pregnancy

Michael Gwarisa

In a bid to widen HIV prevention and contraceptive options for women and girls, Zimbabwe could be adopting a revolutionary Dual Prevention Pill (DPP), in the not so distant future. By Michael Gwarisa The Dual Prevention Pill adds to the list of other Biomedical HIV prevention tools Zimbabwe has adopted over the past few years which include  the Dapivirine Vaginal ring that was adopted in 2021 and the Long-Acting Injectable PrEP that was approved for use in 2022. However, roll-out of these products is yet to commence in Zimbabwe. Speaking…

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ICASA Preparations In Final Lap

Michael Gwarisa

Stakeholders to the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), gathered in Harare, Zimbabwe for the last planning meeting, also dubbed the Marathon meeting to discuss and plan around the state of preparedness ahead of the conference to be held in Harare. By Michael Gwarisa The ICASA conference will be held from December 4 to 9, 2023, at the Rainbow Towers Hotel and is set to attract not less than 8,000 delegates from across the continent and beyond. Speaking during the meeting’s official ceremony, Minister of Health and…

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Zimbabwe ICASA Preparations Reach Crescendo

Kuda Pembere

With about nine months to go to this year’s edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), the event’s director Dr Luc Bodea says he is impressed by the progress Zimbabwe has made already with regards to  preparations. By Kuda Pembere Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the on-going International Steering Committee meeting, ICASA director Luc Armand Bodea said the country is progressing well on course with its preparations. We can tell you that at this stage we are at 50 to 55 percent ready…

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ICASA Invites African Creatives To Design Logo For ICASA 2023 To Be Held In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) Director, Dr Luc Armand Bodea has announced a call for the design of a logo for the 22nd Edition of the ICASA Conference to be held in Zimbabwe next year. By Michael Gwarisa The calls follows the recent official announcement of Zimbabwe as the host for the conference which was also followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at State House in Harare. Announcing the call at the ICASA stakeholders meeting in Harare, Dr Bodea said the call…

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