THE International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) 2023 has been officially unveiled in Harare.
Zimbabwe was given the green light to host the conference last week after shrugging off a challenge from Kenya.
Speaking at the official unveiling ceremony, Society for AIDS in Africa president David Parirenyatwa said it was high time the ICASA focused on other diseases.
“ICASA 2023 will embrace TB, malaria and other emerging pandemics including COVID-19. I must also say that cancer is now included in HIV and AIDS response in pursuit of inclusivity,” Parirenyatwa said.
“In the recent past, focus was on COVID-19, but there is a need to refocus on HIV to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.”
More than 12 000 delegates are expected to attend the global HIV conference which will be held in December next year.
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Zimbabwe successfully hosted the conference in 2015.
ICASA director and coordinator of the secretariat for SAA Luc Amarnd Bodea said: “The ICASA organisers are desirous to get a brand identity for the upcoming 22nd ICASA. To get the best and appropriate logo for ICASA 2023 Zimbabwe, the organisers are launching this contest for a creative logo for the conference.”
National AIDS Council CEO Bernard Madzima said Zimbabwe was ready to host the global AIDS symposium.
Zimbabwe has over the last three decades scored major gains in the HIV and Aids response programme as evidenced by a sharp decline in new cases and deaths.
According to the Health and Child Care ministry, new HIV infections for all age groups declined from 40 900 to 24 900 between 2016 and 2020.