HIV/Aids Congress 26 - 10 - 06

Media Release

Civil Society Coalition HIV/AIDS Congress starts tomorrow, Friday

Media welcome to attend

The Civil Society Coalition on HIV/AIDS - the South African Council of Churches (SACC), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), SA Non-Governmental Coalition (SANGOCO) and the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) will be holding a Civil Society Congress from 09h00 on 27-28 October 2006 at the Randburg Inn, 265 Main Avenue, Ferndale, Johannesburg (011 789 1155). The coalition theme is “Building solidarity, an action plan to save lives”.

Keynote speaker will be Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who will address the congress on the government’s national response to HIV/AIDS pandemic and SANAC’s developments and plans on Friday 27 October at 11.30am.

Congress will discuss the national response to HIV/AIDS on issues such as ARV treatment, HIV prevention, care and support, SANAC, Prisoner’s rights, Children’s rights, and violence against women.

The Congress aims to reach consensus on targets and programmes for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support as well as on the restructuring of the National AIDS Council (SANAC). All this takes place at a time when government is reviewing the National AIDS strategy.

The Coalition will forward their recommendations to the Deputy President and Minister of Health after they have been debated at the Congress. It is ready to partner with government and mobilise civil society, but we demand an end to ambiguity in the commitments made by government on scaling up the services needed to save people’s lives.

Media are invited to apply for accreditation to Ms. Rukia Cornelius at rukia@tac.org.za. or at the door.

Contact Persons:

Rev. Teboho Klass, SACC 082 412 2960

Jacqueline Mpolokeng, COSATU, 082 452 0840

Sipho Mthathi, TAC, 084 300 7007

Hassen Lorgat or Denise Hunt, SANGOCO, 082 411 2946

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)

Congress of South African Trade Unions

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets

Braamfontein, 2017

P.O.Box 1019

Johannesburg, 2000

SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24

Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667

Cell: 0828217456

E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.