AIDS confab in the Philippines

[From personal e-mail, Dr. Jose Narciso Melchor Sescon, 17 October 2008.]

NEWS RELEASE

On October 23 and 24 2008, the AIDS Society of the Philippines, Inc. (ASP) in partnership with DOH NASPCP, Global Funds Round 6 and PNAC, invite you to attend the 9th Philippine National Convention on AIDS at SEAMEO INNOTECH, Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City. It is a biennial convention that gathers public health specialists, social scientists, clinicians, community health workers, academicians, government and non government agencies to discuss the various issues related to AIDS.

The objectives of the national convention are:

1. To provide updated and evidence-based information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of HIV
2. To present information about HIV prevention good practices from the different groups and target population
3. To provide a venue for the presentation, discussion and sharing of lessons learned about programs, activities and policies related to AIDS work
4. To improve understanding of factors contributing to the success or failure of programs/interventions, and
5. To provide information relevant to approaches that would overcome barriers to implementing, sustaining and scaling up effective responses and that would develop and strengthen effective strategies for local action.

This year’s theme “Take the Lead on HIV and AIDS” has been chosen to further scale up and sustain the gains of various HIV responses in our country. This is also an opportunity to draw up commitments from new key players of Philippine society to take action in their own respective localities.

A wide range of topics has been chosen by the conference organizers ranging from socio-behavioral, biomedical and HIV prevention, treatment care and support programs. It is expected that the Conference will serve as a venue for “learning exchange”. Knowledge, insights and skills obtained from the meeting are expected to be useful in the formulation and implementation of effective and sustainable local and community programs that will prevent the rise in HIV infection and caution the impact among those already affected by AIDS.

For more information about the convention, contact our project staff Mr Bong Yap and Boying Velasco at 376 2541 or 376 2542. Registration fees PHP 800.00