Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
On Friday February 21 and Saturday February 22, the Gauteng Health Department hosts a major conference designed to forge a comprehensive AIDS care strategy for a province with one of the highest HIV rates in the country. Representatives of all organisations and institutions already involved in AIDS care and those which will play a role in future are expected to participate.
The conference will spend the first day on questions related to community care, such as home-based care, building community support for people with AIDS, caring for children and creating appropriate welfare support systems.
The second day will deal with health care issues, including counselling and palliative care, protection of health workers, ante-natal care and controlling tuberculosis.
The opening session, from 8h30 to 10h15 on Friday, and the closure by MEC for Health Mr Amos Masondo (at 16h00 on Saturday) are open to all media. We request the use of cameras be restricted to those parts of the programme.
Mr Eric Xayiya, mayor of Boksburg, and an AIDS worker of long standing, will deliver the opening address. Other speakers in the opening session are Mr Peter Busse of the National Association for People with AIDS and Dr Liz Floyd, Gauteng Director for AIDS and Communicable Diseases.
Specialist health reporters are WELCOME to attend all other sessions of the conference. For details of the programme please contact Desiree Monareng on (011) 355 3210.
Venue: The Ballroom 2nd floor Carlton Hotel Main Street Johannesburg
Released by the Gauteng Health Department 20 February 1997