EAST LONDON- The Eastern Cape Department of Health is hosting a significant conference from 5th-8th November 2024 at Premier Hotel in East London, bringing together nursing leaders from seven sub-Saharan African countries to combat HIV/AIDS.
This initiative is part of an R140, 500, 648.00 commitment to strengthening nursing leadership in South Africa, Botswana, Cote D’Ivoire, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia.
Eastern Cape Department of Health Chief Director for Human Resource Development Nozipho Jaxa said, “We are here to link what we learned from PEPFAR to this initiative. This integration will greatly facilitate access to treatment for individuals who have been taking their ARVs for over 20 years, enabling them to receive their medication through the chronic dispensing program at a location convenient to their homes.”
In addition, this emphasizes the critical role of the nursing workforce in advancing global health goals and prominent attendees include Eastern Cape MEC for Health Ntandokazi Capa and PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Saira Johnson Qureshi.
MEC Ntandokazi Capa has emphasized the crucial role nurses play in delivering quality healthcare services to millions of people daily. “Nurses are essential in providing top-notch care to our communities, we’re thrilled that Eastern Cape was selected for this initiative which aligns with our goal of enhancing primary healthcare in the province,” MEC Capa stated.
Leader for Public Health Systems within the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy at PEPFAR Morrin Barti said, “We are here to support the government’s response to the HIV pandemic in South Africa, amazing progress has been made over the past 21 years. Individuals should not be afraid to seek treatment for a long and healthy life. This can also help them suppress their viral load, preventing the spread of HIV.”
Currently, the Eastern Cape has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS awareness, being the first South African province to campaign on U = U (undetectable = untransmittable), promoting treatment adherence and decreasing loss to follow-up.
This three days conference is a crucial step towards achieving the global target of viral suppression by 2025.
By bringing together nursing leaders from across the region, this conference aims to share knowledge, experiences and best practices in HIV service delivery, ensuring healthcare systems can effectively respond to emerging public health threats.
Additionally, initiative empowers nursing leaders to play a pivotal role in combating HIV/AIDS, ultimately saving lives and improving the quality of life for those affected.
photograph: Taxi Image Media
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