Manhiça Foundation’s 10th Annual Global Health Conference Focuses on HIV/AIDS Research in Southern Africa

The Manhiça Foundation held its 10^th Annual Global Health Conference in the auditorium of Maputo’s Hotel Gloria on Tuesday, 4 June. The theme of the event was “HIV/AIDS Research: Sharing Evidence from Southern Africa” and nearly 400 people were in attendance. The conference showcased research by local and international organisations working on HIV/AIDS and provided a venue for collaboration and discussion about the next steps that should be taken to combat this disease in southern Africa.

The conference opened with introductory remarks by Zacarias Castigo, Permanent Secretary of the Mozambican Ministry of Health, and representatives of the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS. The first scientific presentation, by Tacilta Nhampossa, a researcher at the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM), and Jienchi Dorward, a researcher at the University of Oxford, focused on diagnosis and access to treatment and care for HIV/AIDS. The second scientific presentation, by Denise Naniche, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), and Denise Langa, Coordinator of the Vulnerable Populations Programme at the National Health Institute of Mozambique, focused on the challenges associated with diagnosing and treating HIV/AIDS.

Peter Le Souëf, a researcher at the University of Western Australia (a co-organiser of the conference), summarised the main arguments put forth during the event. The conference wrapped up with the presentation of attendance certificates and a few parting words from Leonardo Simao, President of the Manhiça Foundation.

CISM is managed by the Manhiça Foundation and is one of ISGlobal’s strategic partners. This partnership is based on a 24-year history of dedication to a shared model of research, training and development that has benefited both Spain and Mozambique and fostered the development of skills and knowledge among scientists from both countries.