SAA to strengthen its working relations with African States to mitigate impact of HIV/AIDS

Mr. Luc Armand H. Bodea, Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) Coordinator, has reiterated the society’s commitment to promote the total well-being of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS as well as create awareness about other emerging diseases threatening public health in Africa.

He noted that the society also seeks to work with African States to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria on the African continent; organize International Conferences on HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB, and Malaria in Africa; and collaborate with other organizations in organizing specific workshops on HIV and emerging infections.

Mr. Bodea, who is also the Director of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), pledged SAA’s commitment at the 25th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024), July 22–26, 2024, in Munich, Germany.

SAA created a booth at the conference grounds, which offered former and current SAA Board members the opportunity to interact with delegates. Additionally, an award was presented to Jirair Ratevosian in recognition of his outstanding achievement.

The SAA has reaffirmed its commitment to contribute to the control and management of HIV infection/AIDS, TB, and Malaria throughout Africa.

The Society also pledged to continue to serve as a forum for the exchange of information on HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, the International AIDS Society, and other international and national organizations on AIDS.

Mr. Bodea explained that SAA serves as an African focus and coordinator of AIDS activities in Africa and promotes research and training on HIV and AIDS prevention and care in Africa.

The SAA Coordinator noted that the society seeks to solicit, receive, manage, and account for funds for supporting SAA activities against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria in Africa and to serve as a central registry of individuals and organizations professionally involved in AIDS research and activities to prevent the spread of AIDS and care for people living with HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria in Africa.

“SAA represents the African Scientific Community as a voice of reason in AIDS controversies, speaks and acts against discrimination and stigmatization, and ensures the observance of ethical norms in all aspects of research and trials relating to HIV and AIDS in Africa.

The International AIDS Conference is the premier global platform to advance the HIV response and serves as the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS. It sits uniquely at the intersection of science, advocacy, and human rights, bringing together scientists, policymakers, healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, funders, media, and communities.

It started in 1985 and has served as an opportunity to strengthen policies and programmes that ensure an evidence-based response to HIV and related epidemics.

The 2024 AIDS conference hosted more than 40 oral abstract sessions, 50 invited-speaker sessions, 20 workshops, 30 symposia sessions, 100 satellite sessions, and 2,200 posters. AIDS 2024 showcased exciting community-led innovations alongside scientific breakthroughs and game-changers.

Various activists drew attention to pressing issues of equal access to the latest advances. And politicians renewed their commitment to sustaining an effective response to HIV.