THIS week, I look at the forthcoming Science Symposium to take place in Lusaka, Zambia on May 2-3 2014 to be held at the Golden Bridge Hotel.
The conference will cover various topics encompassing HIV epidemiology, pathogenesis, host-virus interactions, and immune responses to infection, disease progression, opportunistic infections, co-infections, vaccine design and current treatment strategies.
This world class workshop is hosted by Zambia AIDS research foundation(ZARF) and Treatment advocacy and literacy campaign (TALC).
I had a discussion with Samuel Kumar from ZARF who said: though we are now in the era of eradication, a lot of unanswered questions remain, in terms of HIV/AIDS eradication and cure.
The symposium invites young researchers to think out of the box, however, weird and come up with fresh ideas to take HIV/AIDS research to the next level to find a permanent cure and maybe even an eradication of the dreaded HIV/AIDS.
What  we need today in the search for a realistic “functional cure” for HIV/AIDS that promises life-long remission after stopping therapy or long term health with ART are novel, creative ideas, multi disciplinary collaboration partnerships between private and public sectors, international coordination and funding. Among the 35.5 million people living with HIV (PLWH) only 9.7 million are on ART therapy and there are an increasing number of patients in need of costly 2nd line and 3rd line regimen.
A similar workshop was conducted last year at the Golden Bridge hotel in which over 140 people attended.
Unlike last year in which the workshop was concluded in a day, this year’s workshop will be for two days with emphasis on modern ARVs and the need for viral load monitoring, resistance testing, and vaccine design.
Background:
In the 30 years since those first AIDS case reports, nearly 30 million people have succumbed to AIDS-related illnesses around the world. It has become one of the deadliest epidemics in human history, making it one of the leading causes of death. Currently more than 34 million people are living with HIV around the world as per recent report from UNAIDS 2012.
The fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic is currently facing major challenges in achieving goals of “prevention and cure.” Hence, there is a need for understanding scientific aspects on HIV/AIDS and recent developments in this ever advancing field. This workshop will serve as a platform for exploring new ways relating to issues such as
– HIV/AIDS – where are we now?
– Behavioural prevention
– Psycho-social issues
– Viral and host factors in pathogenesis
– Correlates of immunity – Diagnostic challenges in resource-limited settings
– Preventive and therapeutic vaccines
– Anti-HIV drug discovery
– Viral reservoir and persistence
– Searching for a cure for HIV infection
– Opportunistic infections and co-infections
– Drug resistance
– STIs
– Viral hepatitis and TB
Vision and Objectives:
This meeting will provide a scientific forum to address key scientific issues, gaps in knowledge and an opportunity to identify priorities for future action.
The registration (about 400) is available on a first-come, first serve basis .The registration fee of 750 kwacha for the two days workshop includes the following: scientific sessions, entire power point comprising over 450 e-version handout materials, lunch on all the two days and refreshments during break time.
The participants will be awarded certificate of participation. Registration does not cover accommodation, however, assistance will be provided for the arrangement of accommodation (hotels or guest houses) in the vicinity of the venue upon request on a first-come first-served basis.
Course Structure : Functional cure using combination of HDAC & caspase 1 inhibitors, Gene therapy to lower viral load, Sterilising cure concept, How to avoid drug resistance and testing for drug resistance using genotypic / phenotypic, Dealing with Diarrhea, Myths about Immune Boosters & Detoxification, Lumbar puncture, HIV and Dental health, Why some ARVs do not reach HIV infected brain cells,  How to avoid antibiotic resistance , 5 classes of ARV’s, Why HIV positive mothers exclusively breast feed?
Why some people never get HIV ?, PMTCT, Hepatitis – Malaria – TB – HIV  , 4 types of condoms, Scientific reasons for male circumcision, How male circumcision reduces chances of Cervical cancer, Diet and nutrition for PLWA, HIV life cycle, PCR RNA, PCR DNA, Window period 3 months or 6 months?,Stages of HIV, How discordant couples can have an HIV free baby IVF IUF, What is CD4, CD4 percentage, CD8, Viral load, How immune system works?
Effect of alcohol & smoking on HIV positive individuals, PEP, PrEP, Microbicides Opportunistic infections, STD’s, Health tips etc…You can also visit www.aidsresearchzambia.org
Target Groups:  Medical doctors, Nurses, Researchers,Work place counselors , Community health workers, NGO’s, Church organizations, Guidance teachers, University students, Those seeking employment in the Health & HIV/AIDS sector, Advisors, DATFs, Pharmaceutical companies, Pharmacists, Family planning officers, Dentists.
Contact; T A L C, No. 11 Kalungu Crescent, off Manchinchi road, Northmead, Lusaka, Zambia, Email: workshopzambia@gmail.com Cell: +260 097 4207518 , +260 096 8283267
Until next week but you can contact me on knoxngoma@gmail.com or SMS/call +260955883143