Invitation: 4th International Conference on AIDS India

[Guest guest]

Invitation to attend the 4th International Conference on AIDS India

Theme: Comprehensive Solutions - Now

VENUE: Chennai, INDIA

DATE: November 9th-12th, 2003

The 4th International conference on AIDS India is organized once

every two years by the Department of Experimental Medicine and AIDS

Resource center of the TN DR MGR Medical University. The first

conference was held in 1997, the second in 1999, the third in 2001

and the fourth conference is slated to be held in the IMAGE

conference center Chennai (Madras) from the Nov 9th – 12th, 2003.

At all the three conferences the response was overwhelming and the

support from the internal community was most encouraging. We thank

all those from India and Overseas who supported the conferences

financially and by their participation. Without their continued

support and encouragement the planning for the fourth conference

would not be possible. I thank also the President of the conference

the revered Vice – Chancellor, Dr.C.V.Bhirmanandham for his guidance.

The 4th AIDS India conference will provide a platform for sharing of

new information, experiences and current updates. What then are the

new developments that have taken place in the field of HIV/AIDS in

the past two years?

Earnest Preventive strategies to halt the spread of HIV infection is

in place and the NACO's efforts complimented by the various regional

control societies need commendation. Several NGOs in the country are

concerned of the needs of the PLWA. NACO's antiretroviral prophylaxis

to prevent the mother to child transmission has moved from a

feasibility study to a programme. In our MTCT programme at the

Namakkal district, in addition to the services at the district head

quarters hospital the VCTC services are provided to include the PHC's

and the tribes at the Kolli hills, with the objective to reach out

to " Every women and infant in the district of Namakkal " . ART and

Drug Access have got a shot in the arm by publication of the WHO

guidelines and the International HIV Treatment Access coalition

(ITAC)- these initiatives need to be strengthened. However some of

these plans are still on the drawing boards and have not filtered

down to where the patients are!

Some funding agencies are skeptical of providing ART while others

like the Global fund are forthright in funding CARE initiatives that

include ART

Prejudice and stigma attached to the disease are still perpetuated

within and outside the health care settings.

We have seen some set backs in the field of HIV Vaccine that may

assist in the Prevention. Several encouraging reports suggest that

more funding is awarded to Microbicide research and clinical trails.

This is a positive step in the prevention efforts.

We are working to ensure that the conference will address the needs

of all those working in the field of HIV/AIDS and living with the

virus.

The 4th International Conference on AIDS INDIA is organized to cover

a wide range of issues related to HIV/AIDS and to encourage sharing

of recent developments.

The programme will include plenary sessions, workshops, expert

sessions and satellite meetings. These satellite meetings will

provide an opportunity to various agencies to organize sessions that

may contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS

Warm welcome awaits you in Chennai

Dr. NM

Chairman

______________

Contact details:

Scientific Program Information:

Dr. S. Mini

Tel: +91 44 22354203

Fax: +91 44 22353698

Email: demaids@...

Website: www.aidsindia2003.org

Scholarship Program Information:

Dr. S Parameshwari

Tel: +91 44 22354203

Fax: +91 44 22353698

Email: demaids@...

Website: www.aidsindia2003.org

Exhibition Display Information:

Dr. Shoba

Tel: +91 44 22354203

Fax: +91 44 22353698

Email: demaids@...

Website: www.aidsindia2003.org

Travel/accommodation Information:

Mr. R. Vishwanath

Tel: +91 44 22354203

Fax: +91 44 22353698

Email: demaids@...

Website: www.aidsindia2003.org