The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti will pay her first official visit to the Republic of Ghana from 21 - 25 April 2018 at the invitation of the Ghanaian authorities.    The visit will provide an opportunity for her to acquaint herself with ongoing efforts, successes and challenges as the country strives to improve the health and well-being of Ghanaians. 
Dr Moeti will be the Special Guest of Honour at the 2018 Annual Health Summit and will also deliver the keynote address.
The Regional Director will pay courtesy calls on His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and Her Excellency the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Ministers of Finance, Planning and Foreign Affairs. She will also hold discussions with Senior Officials of the Ministries of Health, and embark on field visits to some Health Facilities and Health Research Centers in Ghana.   
Among her other engagements are meetings with the UN Country Team (UNCT), bilateral and multilateral partners to discuss coordination of international health partnerships to support the health sector in Ghana
 

National HIV/AIDS Research Conference (NHARCON) 2018 (8^th – 11^th May, 218)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

THEME: ENDING AIDS: Rethinking Practices for Maximum Impact

The National HIV & AIDS Research Conference (NHARCON) is organized by the Ghana AIDS Commission every four years. The 2018 conference is the fourth to be organized by the Commission. NHARCON 2018 is expected to serve as a platform to share ideas in support of the implementation of the current of National Strategic Plan 2016-2020.It also forms part of GAC’s mandate to disseminate and share HIV and AIDS strategic information with its stakeholders and partners in the implementation of the National Response.

2.0 Objectives

The overall Objective of NHARCON is to provide a platform for the exchange of Local and Global research and best practices towards achieving epidemic control in Ghana

The specific objectives of the conference are to:

• share knowledge and best practices for HIV interventions.

• disseminate findings from relevant HIV and AIDS research undertaken in Ghana and elsewhere

• provide the opportunity for researchers from around the world to share the latest scientific advances in the field, learn from one another’s expertise

• review strategies for advancing the fast track 90-90-90 strategy and treat all policy.

• discuss and identify future programme strategies and research priorities in light of evidence and best practices

   

The organisers request for works that introduce novel ideas and/or concepts; new research findings and advances in the field.

Submit an abstract by following the guidelines provided below:

Tracks

The conference will have three main tracks namely:

Track A: Social and Behavioural Science;

Track B: Epidemiology Basic and Clinical Science;

Track C`: Interventions and Best Practices.

Each Scientific Track is divided into a number of track categories. All persons submitting abstracts are requested to choose a Scientific Track and a Track Category that best describe their subject of abstract. Accepted abstracts will be published under the general headings of these scientific tracks.

Track A: Social and Behavioural Science

A1 Stigma and Discrimination and Impact on HIV

A2 Sex, sexuality, gender relationships and HIV

A3 Policies, programmes and HIV response.

A4 Communication, mass media and popular education

A5 Socio-cultural determinants of HIV

A6 Structural determinants of HIV

A7 Human rights, law and ethics

Track B: Epidemiology, Basic and Clinical Science

B1 HIV evolution, viral diversity and bioinformatics

B2 HIV co-infections and emerging pathogens

B3 Interaction of micronutrients, nutrition and HIV infection

B4 Clinical Course of HIV infection and disease

B5 HIV and Non Communicable Diseases (NCD)

B6 Immunology of HIV

B7 Antiretroviral Therapy

B8 HIV and AIDS Surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation

B9 HIV and AIDS Prevention Programmes

Track C Interventions and Best Practices

Yet to be provided by Track C Chair

Abstract Submission & Guidelines

• Abstracts can only be submitted online via the Conference link on the Ghana AIDS Commission's website:www.ghanaids.gov.gh (submissions by fax, post or email will not be considered).
• All abstracts must be written in English.
• It is the author’s responsibility to submit a correct abstract.

FORMAT

All abstracts must be structured as follows:

• Title of Presentation, in Capital Letters

• Author(s): Surname and initials e.g. Appiah K, Apaloo J, etc.

• Name and address of institution or affiliation

   

Option 1

This option is suited for Scientific Research

• Background: Indicate the purpose and objective of the research, the hypothesis that was tested or a description of the problem being analyzed or evaluated.

• Methods: Describe the setting/location for the study, study design, study population, ethical considerations, data collection and methods of analysis used.

• Results: Present as clearly and detailed as possible the findings/outcome of the study, with specific results in summarized form.

• Conclusions: Briefly discuss the data and main outcome of the study. Emphasize the significance for HIV prevention, treatment, care and/or support, and implications of the results.

Option 2

The second option is most suited for presenting new knowledge or analysis that are important for understanding and responding to the HIV epidemic and its future implications. It is suited for information that was gained through systematic forms of knowledge production/ management, by means other than scientific research or evaluation including community level experiences and best practices in response to HIV and AIDS. This process must include some evidence provided through data obtained.

Abstracts presented under the second option should contain concise statements of:

• Issues: a summary of the issue(s) addressed by the abstract.
• Description: a description of the intervention, project, experience, service and/or advocacy.
• Lessons learned: conclusions and implications of the intervention or project. Data that support the lessons learned and evidence must be included.
• Next steps: possible next steps for implementation, or recommendations.

Font

A standard font such as Times New Roman size 11 and double spaced, should be used when formatting the text. This helps to prevent special characters from getting lost when copying the text to the online abstract submission form. Ensure to check the final abstract with the system’s preview function before submission, and edit or replace as necessary.

Word Limits

The abstract text body is limited to 350 words. Titles are limited to 50 words. Where relevant, graphs and figures may be included. Tables and graphs should be in pdf format and do not count toward the character limit.

SPECIAL DATES

Abstract Submission Opens: 1^st Nov. 2017

Abstract Submission Closes: 15th  March. 2018

For details, please download CALL FOR ABSTRACTS from the NHARCON link at:www.ghanaids.gov.gh