CategoriesAfNHI

We are far behind the rest of the world when it comes to preventing new HIV infections. More than 1.7 million new cases of the virus were reported, more than three times the global target. From 2010 to today, new HIV infections have decreased by 38% in Eastern and Southern Africa. As revealed by the Seizing the Moment report, inequalities in progress have left vulnerable people behind. Sixty-two percent of new HIV infections occurred in key populations and their sexual partners, including gay men, men who have sex with men, sex workers, drug users, and prisoners.

The Biomedical HIV Prevention Forum aims to build links between science and policy, mobilise scientific knowledge and end new HIV infections in Africa according to Africa free of New HIV Infections (AfNHi). The forum will enhance the linkage between policy and research by training researchers on research ethics, facilitating collaboration between national and regional activities within the AfNHi network.

As a pre-conference to ICASA (International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa), this forum is held twice each year. As a follow-up to the events in 2013, 2015, and 2017, the BHPF in 2021 will be the fifth one to take place.

Getting scientific (research) and evidence-based decision-making policy together is the purpose of the meeting.

Specific objectives are:

  • HIV and COVID-19 Vaccine Impact in Africa
  • Biomedical HIV prevention landscape: where are we and what is in the pipeline
  • Investments for HIV prevention research (Domestic Resources Mobilization)

The expected outcomes

  • Integrating HIV prevention research with policy-making: Engage local and regional authorities in promoting evidence-based decision-making.
  • Stronger AfNHi network: A strategy for exchanging experiences and establishing solid working relationships in the future.
  • The capacity of BHPV tools to be advocated, applied, contextualised, and improved will be increased.
  • A set of recommendations for consideration is packaged into briefs and action statements addressing various stakeholder groups so that the BHPV and research are promoted in a conducive environment.

You can register on the AfNHi website.

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