Second National HIV/Aids Conference Launched

The second National HIV/AIDS/STI/ORID Research Conference (NHASORC) was launched yesterday with a call to the public to be involved in the ongoing HIV/AIDS research.

Patron Nolwandle Mashalaba of NHASORC said that they expect the public to come forward with district based information that can be used to address HIV/AIDS issues at a local level.

She the people not to take research as something that can only be done by scientists. She said NHASORC needs knowledge, information, experiences and suggestions from the public that can help in the formation and implementation of HIV/AIDS policies.

"The aim of this initiative is to encourage districts to carry out research using available information to address district specific problems, and come up with district specific interventions," she explained.

Mashalaba said that the aim of the second NHASORC conference is to address loopholes from the first conference held in 2003.

"Among the recommendations emanating from the 2003 conference was the need for strengthened research on biological, medical/clinical as well as the socioeconomic and cultural impacts of HIV/AIDS," she said.

She stressed that strong partnerships and networking with the public will help to bring effective implementation of national response and the prevention of the duplication of research efforts.

She said that about 600 participants are expected to attend the conference next year.

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