Time: 10.45am – 12.15pm
Room: AD10
Reporter: Irakoze Shyaka Christelle and Uwimana Lorraine

The meeting was opened by Dr. Deborah L. Birx. She also gave Musa, the Executive Director of UNAIDS Global Network of Black People working in HIV. George Budyamugye of AHF Uganda gave a talk on global prospective on ending HIV/AIDS not late than in 2030. He gave a oversight of his organization and its work one of which is to work closely with local organizations to implement programs to create a sustainable system of health that supports the health of persons at-risk for HIV. Its current global advocacy campaign is to get 20 million people on treatment by the year 2020. Its activities include self-directed testing provided through clinics and community outreaches, at the workplace, and through home based approaches. He provided an overview of the testings and results achieved between 2010 and 2018: 268,068 male, 381,347 females and 96 transgender.

The second speaker was Dr. Saidi Mpendu from Balm Gilead in Tanzania. He spoke about the place and role of faith based organisations in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Gilead’s mission it to prevent diseases and improve the health status of the people in Africa and African Diaspora. He discussed the approaches the organization use to work with interfaith groups and communities.

The last speaker was David Brinkman, the CEO of Desert AIDS project. Desert AIDS project was founded 35 years ago in the US. Its helps link people into care through testing in community especially during festivals, parties and Barbecues. It also successfully raise funds with expertise for strategic planning.