HIV/AIDS SEMINAR REPORT

The Division of Pharmacology in the Faculty of Pharmacy hosted a Seminar on HIV/AIDS for the Pharmacology IV class on 12 May 2023.

The seminar envisaged to provide a holistic overview of the management of HIV/AIDS in the public health care system. This would show the students the important roles played by various stakeholders, that a pharmacist would engage with directly or indirectly in practice. The seminar was gracefully sponsored by Cipla.

The seminar had presentations from guest presenters who are experts in their specific areas related to the management of HIV/AIDS in the public health sector. This great learning exercise was enriched by the following speakers:

• Dr George Sathekge- an HIV clinician with more than 15 years of experience in HIV/AIDS management and Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in both the public and private sector, including practice in the mining sector. He provided a highly enlightening talk showing the prevalence in South Africa across various age groups, populations, gender, sexual practices, and current ART uptake and success, and the 90-90-90 treatment strategy adopted towards ending the epidemic.
• Mr Chris Dyokomba – an experienced HIV/AIDS counsellor, who is also a person living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) for more than 20 years. He gave a very interesting talk on the testing and the stages of counselling to ensure ART success, from his early days as a counsellor for the Treatment Action Campaign. He also emphasized on continued counselling of patients on ART to ensure adherence and support for the lifestyle changes that a patient has to make. He shared his personal experience as a PLWA, his journey from initial testing and diagnosis, disclosing to those close to him, learning to live with the condition and the importance of counselling. He highlighted the importance of addressing patients in the public spaces that are pharmacies/dispensaries in public hospitals.
• Ms Lesley Wadesango- a Clinical Pharmacist and ART pharmacist, currently based at the Brits District Hospital in the North West province. In her virtual presentation. she reflected on ART in practice, and insights on current developments relating to ART in the public health sector; and the adult and paediatric guidelines for the recommended ART regimens. She outlined the vital role of a pharmacist in the provision of quality antiretroviral therapy care; the immense contribution in the planning and managing the introduction and scale-up of ART which includes developing legislation, regulations, and pertinent policies as well as coordination of ART procurement, financing, and the distribution thereof.
• Dr Vatiswa Henge-Daweti- a Clinical Pharmacist and a Pharmacy manager at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, seconded as the Eastern Cape Pharmacovigilance Lead. She is a clinical fellow of the Faculty of Pharmacy in RU. She provided a highly engaging and insightful talk on pharmacovigilance issues relating to the ART and the current reporting of adverse events thereof. She also highlighted on developments including the use of the Med Safety App, a mobile application designed to simplify and promote the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions. She emphasized on the role of pharmacists and encouraged the students to see themselves as bigger role players in medicine issues, including the post-marketing monitoring.

Due to time constraints, Prof Mothibe’s presentation on the use of traditional medicines in HIV/AIDS was re-scheduled to a later date during normal lecture time. We appreciate the support from Cipla, for ensuring that the speakers were able to come share their valuable experiences with the students, for the catering and the gifts for the speakers. We are grateful to Ms Daphne Thwala, from Cipla (Associate Director – Government Affairs) who in closing, alerted the students to the importance of making relevant networks in professional practice.

We acknowledge the presence and assistance of Sister Nomawethu Ndukwana, ART Program Manager from the EC Dept of Health District office; the staff members of the Pharmacology Division who attended as well as the postgraduate students. We are appreciative to Ms Tanya Kent for assisting with all the logistics regarding the seminar, particularly in securing a suitable venue; and Mr Likhaya Hempe for assisting with morning transport for the students to the venue. 

                                                

Dr George Sathekge         Mr Chris Dyokomba              Ms Daphne Thwala      Ms Lesley Wadesango          Prof M Mothibe and Dr Henge-Daweti