It is clear that over the last several years, a lot of new frontiers of knowledge have been crossed in the medical, pharmaceutical, social, economic and related fields in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These developments provide new hope against a backdrop of a continuing and devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic. The epidemic continues to threaten the existence and development of humankind, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Insights and experiences gained in HIV/AIDS/STD control and management strategies need to be shared within the African context in order to facilitate greater regional and inter-regional collaboration. The diversity of concepts, practices and solutions to the HIV/AIDS epidemic compels us to seek ways in which we can learn from each other for better responses to the epidemic. In particular, the conference will aim to: 1. Review, discuss and provide updates on the major advances in understanding the HIV/AIDS/STD epidemic from a community, socio-economic, cultural, political, epidemiological, clinical and basic science standpoint.2. Provide a forum for a critical analysis of various responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to discuss the extent to which these responses have impacted on the course and status of the epidemic. 3. In the light of the above, suggest and set new (or strengthen old) strategies and priorities for dealing with the epidemic from an African perspective and resource context.
Jobs and Announcements
The Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) in collaboration with the Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) and Southern Africa AIDS TrainingProgramme (SAT) are organising a new comprehensive training course on "Gender, Policy and HIV/AIDS". The course is for two weeks, June-July 2001, it will take place in Dar es Salaam, at the premises of the TGNP Resource Centre-Mabibo. Contact Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) P.O.Box 8921 Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 22 2443205, 2443450 Fax: +255 22 244244
HDN is working with UNAIDS to facilitate the development of an operational research agenda on stigma, denial, shame and discrimination in the African region. Activities include a specialised email forum on stigma, group discussions and key informant interviews with health care providers, religious organisations, people living with HIV/AIDS and media in Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. A review paper of stigma issues and responses in the Africa region is being developed and a regional consultation meeting will be held from 4-6 June 2001.
The focus of the Workshop will be: Recent, current and future research; Policies and guidelines at Health Management level; Marketing and social acceptance of KMC. For further information please contact: Ms Deborah McTeer.
The overall theme of the 9th International Cochrane Colloquium is 'The evidence dissemination process: how to make it more efficient'. The Colloquium will focus on identifying the barriers preventing the use of evidence, and means of overcoming these.
MIM/TDR is a multi-partner programme promoting research capability strengthening activities in the context of the Multilateral Initiative for Malaria in Africa. The goal is to promote human and institutional resource development by supporting innovative collaborative research projects and networks in malaria endemic countries focused on strategic research areas.
Projects supported to date have addressed critical issues related to chemotherapy, pathogenesis, vector control and epidemiology of malaria transmission and morbidity in Africa. The Task Force is initiating a new cycle of partnership projects expanding the scope of priorities to include the development of new interventions, strategies and policies, and the evaluation of large-scale interventions in support of malaria control.
Universities, research institutions and research organizations in Africa, Asia and Latin America are invited to apply for TDR programme grants to develop training centres/networks for research and training in bioinformatics and applied genomics. The centres will focus on in-
fectious and parasitic diseases, and be developed to support and train scientists from the three regions. The ultimate goal is to establish sustainable research and training facilities by promoting utilization of genomics in developing disease endemic countries.
Global Health Action, a non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Georgia with a strong 29-year history of conducting health and leadership training, offers three courses this year: INTERNATIONAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT COURSE (IHMC), August 6 - September 14, 2001
COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS COURSE (CHS), September 17-28, 2001
HEALTH LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT COURSE (HLMC), October 22 - November 2, 2001
There is a tuition fee for the courses. Some limited scholarships are available for the IHMC and CHS. There are no scholarships offered for the HLMC. Additional information and applications are available from the website or via email.
RESEARCHERS: Health Economics Unit, University of Cape Town
The Health Economics Unit (HEU) is one of the few of its kind in Africa. It conducts a wide range of research applied to health policy and health care evaluation. Current research focuses on health sector reform (financing, public/private mix and decentralisation), health equity issues and economic evaluation of public health problems. The HEU also offers a Masters in Health Economics, a Doctoral program (by dissertation research), short courses and other training programs. The HEU is involved in a range of capacity development and collaborative networks within the African region.
Researchers are required for the followingc ontract posts:
Junior Research Fellow (2-year contract: This is an exciting opportunity for a recent graduate / young researcher. The appointed researcher will conduct original research under the guidance of senior HEU staff, and will also undertake some research assistance activities for, and work closely with, the HEU Director. Applicants should have a Masters in Health Economics or related qualification, an interest in applied research and some research experience. Willingness to participate in HEU training activities would be an advantage.
Senior Researcher/Researcher (3-year contract: This researcher will be responsible for undertaking a substantive research project and for contributing to other research activities, particularly through supporting junior researchers. S/he will also contribute to HEU training programs, particularly the Masters in Health Economics program and the research internship program (devoted to research capacity development for recent South African graduates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds). The successful applicant will also contribute to collaborative capacity development and research activities in the African region. Applicants should preferably have a PhD in health economics and experience in health economics/policy research. Experience in postgraduate teaching would be a distinct advantage.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2001. The purpose of the Program is to promote leadership in international public health by enabling participants to develop a broader vision of international and regional health trends, and a more profound understanding of technical cooperation in this field. The Program is oriented towards young health professionals from the Americas who possess a demonstrated capacity for leadership and an interest in deepening the international dimension of their activities in the health area. Participants in the Program are known as "residents" and are incorporated into the work of PAHO for a period of eleven months starting at the end of January 2002.