Media statement

SA Medical Research Council and AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition

2007 promises to be a pivotal year for HIV prevention with the results of the first Phase III microbicide and vaginal diaphragm trials expected to be released later this year. South Africa is at the forefront of the search for much-needed HIV prevention tools with numerous clinical trials taking place in the country. What is needed now is mobilization of efforts on a national and global scale by researchers, activists, media, government and civil society with the primary aim of preventing HIV infection.

(Durban, South Africa) The South African Medical Research Council and the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) will host a dynamic debate at the 3rd South African AIDS Conference. The satellite session, The Evolving World of HIV Prevention Research, will take place on Tuesday, 5th June 2007, 2:30 – 4:00pm prior to the SA AIDS Conference opening ceremony, at the Durban International Convention Centre, Hall 2 C.

The debate brings together South Africa’s leading scientists, activists and media to discuss upcoming results of microbicide and diaphragm clinical trials, implications of recent results on male circumcision, and updates on current vaccine and HIV prevention clinical trials in the search for much-needed HIV prevention tools. Topics will include cross-cutting issues in prevention research; roles of media and community involvement in prevention research; how to translate research results into public health impact; and what the male circumcision results could mean for South Africa.

“A collaborative partnership between scientists and civil society will be the key to addressing some of the challenges we face in combating the HIV pandemic through prevention research”, said Professor Gita Ramjee of the SA Medical Research Council, who will chair the session.

The satellite is being co-sponsored by research units and non-governmental organizations, including the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa, African Microbicides Advocacy Group, CAPRISA, Global Campaign for Microbicides, Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Positive Women’s Network, and Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit.

“This year will provide many long-awaited answers about numerous prevention tools that could add to existing methods. While there is no single silver bullet to the end the epidemic, it is essential that we are all prepared to rapidly translate research results into real public health impact,” said Mitchell Warren, Executive Director of the US-based AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and symposium co-host.

The complete panel includes: Gita Ramjee (SA Medical Research Council), Salim Abdool Karim (CAPRISA), Quarraisha Abdool Karim (CAPRISA), Helen Rees (Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit), Johanna Ncala (Treatment Action Campaign), Prudence Mabele (Positive Women’s Network), Zanele Hlatshwayo (Positive Women’s Network), Glenda Gray (Perinatal HIV Research Unit), Ames Dhai (Ethics Committee of the University of Witwatersrand), Bertran Auvert (University of Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines, France), Liz Clarke (Health writer and journalist) and Mitchell Warren (AVAC).