Edition 4
Newsletter of the Regional Network Supporting the HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Workforce
Inside this edition
2
2015 Conference Report
6
7
The OSSHHM Symposium
The Twinning Program
12
13
Regional Societies Network
VCHAS Report
Welcome Welcome to the fourth edition of the
In 2014, with support from the private
Details of new member organisations
quarterly newsletter of the Regional
sector, ASHM launched the Industry
are contained in this Newsletter. In view
Network. This newsletter aims to
Fellowship for Regional Cooperation
of these developments and in order to
showcase the value of professional
(IFRC): Twinning and Mentoring
reflect the broad nature of new member
health workforce organisations as
between Australian and Regional
organisations, the Network is being
partners in national and regional HIV
Clinicians. This program establishes
promoted as the Regional Network -
programs and policies development.
professional links and opportunities
supporting the health workforce in HIV,
Past issues are available via:
between ASHM members working in
Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health in the
www.ashm.org. au/programs/
Australian clinics with high case load
Asia Pacific region. In order to advance
international/ regional-societies
HIV and sexual health patients and
the work and potential of the Regional
counterpart colleagues who are working
Network, the first Assembly of the
As well as presenting activity reports
in similar clinics in Asian countries. The
Regional Network - Health
from both the Oceania Society for
benefits of this program are already
Strengthening Collaboration Capacity in
Sexual Health and HIV Medicine
evident and reports from three of the
Asia Pacific will be convened from 15-17
(OSSHHM) and the Vietnam Clinical
Twinning and Mentoring partnerships
January 2016 in Bangkok.
HIV/ AIDS Society (VCHAS), this issue of
are presented in this issue.
the Newsletter contains reports from
This Assembly will be conducted
the recent Australasian HIV & AIDS
Finally, interest in the Regional Network
back to back with the 2016 HIV-NAT
Conference and the World STI & HIV
and its achievements has been
Symposium. Details for registration
Congress, held last month in Brisbane,
considerable in recent months. Many
to this Assembly, as well as the
Australia.
regional organisations have sought
draft Program, are contained in this
membership and further information
Newsletter.
Along with reports on regional issues
about the Network’s activities and
addressed in the conference program,
agenda. Consequently, membership has
We commend the Newsletter to you
there are individual reports from two
grown rapidly.
and your members and look forward to
delegates from Papua New Guinea and Samoa, on the benefits they accrued from participating in these important events.
meeting with you in Bangkok in January.
2
2015 Australasian HIV & AIDS Conference Report
Sandra Semi and Oscillah Kaminiel at the 2015 Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference, Brisbane, Australia.
The 26th annual Australasian HIV &AIDS Conference was held this year in Brisbane, from September 16 to 18, adjacent to the World STI & HIV Congress. Delegates attended from many countries and included invited speakers from Ireland, USA, Thailand and New Zealand Regrettably, due to the cessation of funding from the Australian government, ASHM was unable to conduct the annual International Short Course in HIV Medicine as part of this year’s conference and this significantly reduced the numbers of regional delegates participating in the conference program. Nevertheless, the Conference National Program Committee ensured that issues related to HIV in both Asia and the Pacific were included across this year’s program. Satellite workshops and meetings held prior to the Conference included a Gates Foundation Satellite and one organised by the WHO. The Opening Plenary session included an address by Professor John Kaldor, titled ‘Controlling HIV in the Asia Pacific Region: How much more needs to be done?’ Midnight Poonkasetwattana, Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM), from Bangkok, Thailand, presented a plenary on the following day, ‘FastTrack the MSM Response in Asia!’
Newsletter of the Regional Network | Edition 4
On the final day of the Conference, Andrew Jolivette, Chair of American Indian Studies Department at San Francisco State University, gave a plenary address on HIV and Indigenous populations; ‘Indian Blood: Two Spirit Return, Mixed Race Identity and Critical Interventions in HIV’. Conference sessions which addressed issues in Asia and the Pacific included HIV Epidemiology in the Region; Opportunities and Challenges for HIV Diagnostics, Assays and Management in Asia and the Pacific; The Use of Targets in HIV Policy; HIV and Migration; and, Understanding and Expanding the Role of Professional Societies in Capacity Development in Asia and Pacific Regions. These sessions were well attended and generated constructive debate and collaborations. Two people who received Alere Scholarships to participate in this year’s Conference, Oscillah Kaminiel from PNG, and Sandra Semi from Samoa, both presented on challenges in HIV diagnostics in their respective countries.
www.ashm.org.au
3
ASHM Post Conference Report 2015
Oscillah Kaminiel at the 2015 Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference, Brisbane, Australia.
The World STI & HIV Congress and Australasian Society for HIV Medicine Conference for 2015 was a great opportunity to meet various professionals from various backgrounds from around the world and to hear about their work either as oral presentations, poster presentations or by meeting and discussing with them. Approximately 1000 delegates from around the world and especially the Australasian region attended the conference. A small delegation from Papua New Guinea, with various professionals from the National Aids Council Secretariat, (NACS), the Sexual Health Society, NGOs, OSL and the NDOH attended the conference. My attendance was made possible through the Alere Scholarship program and ASHM. It was a privilege to have been the recipient of this great scholarship program by Alere. I was given the opportunity to attend both conferences and to also present at the ASHM conference on “The Challenges in HIV diagnostic experiences from Papua New Guinea�. Presenting our experiences gives the opportunity for others to learn from us and also for us to gain valuable knowledge and understanding from attending professionals and share and communicate outcomes. This also presents what our organisation and country has done in response to the STI & HIV epidemic.
A grateful appreciation to my organisation, the Central Public Health Laboratory, National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea (PNG) for allowing for this great opportunity of attending and presenting our valuable work. PNG is a resource limited country and 87% of the population live in the rural areas, thus having difficulty in linking to major provincial towns to access health services. The advances in testing technologies and most interestingly, the Nucleic Acid Testing devices as POC, would really increase access to early diagnosis of public health diseases. Introduction of this would be the way forward for PNG for early detection and treatment of diseases. It was interesting to hear not only from the science background, but also from the social and policy background. The knowledge I gained from the ASHM conference is vast and very helpful. This knowledge will help in decision making in regard to testing and can also be disseminated to health workers being trained on HIV POC testing. I take this time to thank the NDOH, CPHL and the Alere Sponsorship program and ASHM for having me down in Brisbane for the ASHM Conference. Mrs Oscillah Kaminiel, Medical Scientist, Quality Assurance Unit, CPHL, NDOH. Papua New Guinea.
LMB 5057 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 Australia | t +64 2 8204 0700 | f +64 2 9212 2382 | e international@ashm.org.au
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Opportunities and challenges for HIV diagnostics, assays and management in the Asia & Pacific regions
The overall performance rate for panel testing was 98%. The data illustrated how many staff must be trained in order to maintain QC across all sites.
Opportunities and challenges for HIV diagnostics, assays and management in the Asia & Pacific regions. Report from the 2015 Australasian Conference on HIV & AIDS, Brisbane, Australia ASHM is again providing a forum to promote dialogue between scientists and healthcare workers from Australia and the Asia and Pacific regions. Although HIV treatment is improving across Asia and the Pacific regions, many patients still present with advanced disease, co-infections remain common and access to medications can be limited. Through sessions like this, Australian expertise can guide better health care and pertinent research projects overseas and Australian scientists and clinicians come to a better understanding of the real-world issues in HIV medicine. This session began with a talk by A/Prof Levinia Crooks (CEO of ASHM) outlining the issues that need to be addressed to establish “Impeccatests” to optimally diagnose HIV in under-resourced hospitals and remote villages. Levinia summarised the pros and cons of point-ofcare testing vs self-tests and CD4 counts vs viral loads. She also noted issues around the interpretation of test results (training and the lack of climate-controlled labs), plus the maintenance of equipment and the need for contact tracing and managed transitions to therapy. Oscillah Kaminiel and Sandra Semi presented their experience with HIV diagnostic services in Samoa and Papua New Guinea. Oscillah is the Medical Scientist in charge of the Quality Assurance Unit of the Central Public Health Laboratory, PNG. She explained the testing algorithms established using finger prick whole blood and confirmed by blind testing of blood spots. 237 facilities are currently participating, out of 434 trained sites in HIV testing.
Newsletter of the Regional Network | Edition 4
Sandra’s experience is very different, as the number of patients in Samoa is very small; with good management this situation can be maintained. Sandra is the Head Scientist and Principal Quality Assurance Officer at the Central Laboratory in Samoa, managing the screening of blood specimens for HIV. We then heard presentations from Philip Cunningham and Berhan Haile. Philip is engaged in public health surveillance research of HIV and HCV affected populations, including injecting drug users, childbearing women and infants, and the programmatic rollout of HIV point-of-care tests in non- laboratory settings. His talk addressed the potential of dried blood spots for tests, including viral loads. This strategy has been validated for antibody testing and can make viral loads available in remote clinics. Berhan has worked in the Ethiopian Ministry of Health as a laboratory technician and trained in infectious diseases. He has worked as a research associate for studies on neglected diseases, including malaria and trachoma. Berhan is now a PhD student at Monash University, with the diagnostic development team at Burnet Institute. The final presentation was delivered by Riwanti Estiasari from University of Indonesia. Riwanti established the need for neurocognitive testing at the initiation of ART, and defined the cognitive domains that can be tested selectively, if physician time is limited. Riwanti’s work is part of a larger research project (JakCCANDO) that I am privileged to co-ordinate at UI. We are following 80 patients beginning ART, correlating neurocognitive changes, ophthalmology, cardiovascular disease and oral health in the first year of ART with changes in immune activation, immunocompetence and the patients’ burden of cytomegalovirus. JakCCANDO has been run on a very small budget but is providing research training and locally relevant research data. We would welcome satellite projects that answer questions that are important to patients in the region. Patricia Price, Curtin University
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5
2015 Australasian HIV & AIDS Conference and World STI & HIV Congress Evaluation Report
The conference was a success for me as I was able to learn a lot more about HIV and STIs outside of my context. It was very exciting to hear from researchers and the many innovations and novel studies that all aim to contribute to the fight against HIV AIDS. Nonetheless the most interesting topics that I was able to engage in were the ones by the General Practitioners and Policymakers. Panel discussions also highlighted the importance of collaboration between HIV clinicians and non-HIV clinicians, as well as with other allied health professionals in managing non-AIDS conditions, as this will eventually optimize treatment outcomes and minimize any drug to drug interactions and risk of non AIDS events. As the Principal Quality Assurance Officer in the Samoa laboratory, I am solely responsible for training of staff and informing them by filtering down the updates of HIV research and innovation to our staff in order to keep them up to date. In addition, I am in the position to deliver an informative presentation to our staff about the outcomes of the conference as outlined below:
It was also a pleasure to meet with staff of some of our main manufacturing companies, such as ALERE and ROCHE, as it allowed me the opportunity to have informal chats with them regarding the rapid diagnostic tests for many STIs; and how the other products that we do not have at the moment can improve STI management in Samoa. As a Microbiology Scientist by profession, I am involved as a lab member in consultations for establishing and revising the National Health policies and guidelines for HIV and STIs. Hence the knowledge of HIV policies gained after hearing talks from different settings will assist me with my continuous contribution in order to improve our national guidelines for management of sexually transmitted diseases in our country. Sandra Semi (Microbiology Lab Scientist), Samoa National Health Services – Clinical Laboratory Scholarship provided by ALERE Company
• The incidence of HIV outside of the South Pacific • The common laboratory tests used for screening and confirmatory in other parts of the world • How HIV cases and ARTs are managed in other settings
LMB 5057 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 Australia | t +64 2 8204 0700 | f +64 2 9212 2382 | e international@ashm.org.au
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The Oceania Society for Sexual Health and HIV Medicine (OSSHHM), in association with ASHM,
His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Fiji Islands, Sir Ratu Epeli Nailatikau chatting with the participants and visiting the booth displays during the OSSHHM Symposium
embarked on its first four-day symposium, (two days of Short Course training and two days of Conference) for primary care providers from OSSHHM member countries. The primary objective of the symposium was educating health workers on local disease patterns, diagnosis, and management, including challenges and ways to improve their services. It also aimed at coordinating and facilitating professional networks and providing a local ‘Pacific’ platform for these providers to interact, listen and learn. Participation from members of other health disciplines, including general practitioners, was also encouraged. The Symposium was held at the Tanoa Plaza in Suva, Fiji in July 2015 (Conference from 03 – 04 July and Short Course Training from 06 – 07 July). The OSSHHM Annual General Meeting was held at Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel on Sunday 05 July. Both the OSSHHM Conference and the Short Course focused on the theme, “Evolving Models in Sexual Health, STI and HIV Medicine in Primary Care Settings in the Pacific.” The symposium focused mainly on: • HIV and the law • Gender-based violence • Best practices in sexual health, STI and HIV medicine • Challenges and barriers faced by primary care providers • Experiences of individuals and/or groups in respective countries • Key Affected Populations’ role in combating STI/ HIV • Medical School curriculum - integrating SRH • Antiretroviral treatment in PICT • Men’s, women’s and transgender health
Newsletter of the Regional Network | Edition 4
Participants during the OSSHHM Symposium at the Tanoa Plaza, Suva
Most of the Fiji OSSHHM members and staff of the three Hub Centres and Continuum of Care Team members agreed to facilitate the Short Course. Local, regional and international speakers (mostly from Australia) presented papers on research and evidence-based or case studies, on the above themes. The Symposium was official opened by His Excellency the President of the Fiji Islands, Sir Ratu Epeli Nailatikau. The participants, presenters and the facilitators all enjoyed the Conference and the Short Course training, as per their positive responses on the evaluation forms. The training exercise also provided an excellent avenue for the revision of the STI Guidelines in local context and for the OSSHHM Guidelines.. Finally having completed the training, the participants gained ample knowledge and understanding of STI, sexual health and HIV (as per marks scored on the pre and post- test questionnaires) and were appreciative of this Symposium.
www.ashm.org.au
The OSSHHM Symposium
The Twinning Program
7
The OSSHHM Board Members
Industry Fellowship for Regional Cooperation (IFRC): Twinning and Mentoring between Australian and Regional Clinicians
President
Vice President
Dr Arvin Chaudhary
Dr Dashika Balak
(Fiji Islands)
(Fiji Islands)
In 2014 ASHM, in partnership with ViiV, Gilead, MSD, Janssen, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Boehringer Ingelheim, instituted the Industry Fellowship for Regional Cooperation (IFRC) to establish professional development partnerships between Australian and regional clinicians, working in HIV. This program would also coincide with the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) and would be managed by ASHM, utilising their existing governance and oversight facilities.
Immediate Past
Secretary
President
Dr Griffith Harrison
Dr Sophaganine Ty
(Vanuatu)
(Fiji Islands)
The IFRC program objective is to support capacity building and knowledge transfer between Australian and regional clinicians. The initial program consists of the development of a long-term (24 months) twinning arrangement between local high caseload Australian- based clinicians, and overseas based clinicians in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The aim of this program is to provide overseas fellow clinicians (Regional Fellows) access to new technology and information, while allowing Australian clinicians (Australian Fellows) to learn from clinicians with high caseloads, and complex clinical cases in middle/low resource countries.
Treasurer
Board Member
Dr Pablo Romakin
Dr Tenneth Dalipanda
(Fiji Islands)
(Solomon Islands)
Board Member
Board Member
Dr Kavita Chandra
Dr Jason Mitchell
(Fiji Islands)
(Fiji Islands)
In Phase One of the program, Regional Fellows were assisted to undertake clinical placement at relevant Australia-based clinics and services, followed by their attendance at and engagement with AIDS 2014. A series of activities included participation in selective content-specific, skills-based training and a four-day program in Leadership and Mentoring, prior to and post the International AIDS 2014 Conference. IFRC Phase One was also run in conjunction with a series of Australia Awards Fellowships (AAF) funded by DFAT Aid Program. Phase Two of the IFRC program has seen Australian Fellows travel to Regional Fellows’ clinics in 2015, to continue the learning exchange and develop ongoing relationships. Reports from three of the Phase Two visits follow.
LMB 5057 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 Australia | t +64 2 8204 0700 | f +64 2 9212 2382 | e international@ashm.org.au
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The Twinning Program IFRC Indonesia Twinning Program: Phase Two Report
The ASHM Regional Twinning and Partnership Program aims at increasing and strengthening the regional collaboration between institutions and health
Sharing knowledge, skills and experience between Dr. Richard Moore from Melbourne’s North Side clinic and the team from Angsamerah Clinic in Jakarta, Indonesia
professionals working within the HIV and sexual health field. As part of its ongoing partnership with ASHM, Angsamerah has been given the opportunity to take part in ASHM’s Regional Twinning and Partnership Program, linking Angsamerah’s two sexual health clinics in Jakarta with Melbourne’s Northside Clinic. In July 2014, Dr. Jacqueline Piay, one of Angsamerah’s experienced general practitioners, was invited to Melbourne to attend a visit at Northside Clinic in the days prior to the AIDS 2014 Conference in Melbourne. Dr. Jacqueline’s visit to the Northside Clinic has marked the starting point of a mutually beneficial and enriching partnership between the two clinics One year later, in August 2015, Angsamerah Institution was honored to host Dr. Richard Moore from Melbourne’s Northside Clinic for two days in Jakarta. Dr. Richard Moore had been Dr. Jacqueline’s mentor in Melbourne. On the first day, a visit of the Angsamerah Clinic in Central Jakarta was on the program. Angsamerah Clinic is a private highend clinic, providing sexual and general health services, including HIV prevention, treatment and care. The agenda included a tour of the clinic, a session about Angsamerah’s service system and business model, as well as several interactive case study discussions.
Newsletter of the Regional Network | Edition 4
Dr. Richard Moore’s visit has been highly instructional and inspiring for all parties involved, and we strongly hope to maintain continuous collaboration and communication between the medical teams of Angsamerah and Northside Clinic. This will help to ensure ongoing learning practice and the sharing of knowledge and experience. Future communication will be mostly web based, and center on the discussion of complex and challenging cases, the sharing of new and updated guidelines, relevant research literature, and the eventual referral of patients between the two clinics. Angsamerah strongly hopes that the ASHM Regional Twinning and Partnership Program will be continued in the coming years, which will allow Angsamerah and its partners in the region to keep learning from each other, and to continue to grow and establish themselves as important players within the regional HIV/AIDS response.
www.ashm.org.au
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The Twinning Program IFRC Malaysia Twinning Program: Phase Two Report
In the first phase of the Regional Twinning Program, Dr Ilias Yee, from the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA)/ Integrated Health Services for Drug Users and Kerinchi Cure & Care Service Centre, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, along with Dr Helmi Sulaiman, from the Infectious Disease Unit of Department of Internal Medicine, University Malaya, in Kuala Lumpur, both attended the AIDS 2014 conference in Melbourne and spent time visiting The Centre Clinic and Prahran Market Clinic (PMC) in Melbourne. In January of this year, Dr BK Tee, from the Centre Clinic and Dr Mark O’Reilly, from Prahran Market Clinic, spent a week in Malaysia, in Phase 2 of the Regional Twinning Program. Their schedule for the week had been organised by Ilias and Helmi and involved a range of meetings with strategic partners and organisations engaged in the national HIV response in Malaysia, as well as observing clinical presentations and procedures and ward rounds. BK and Mark were able to visit the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) and meet with its Director and Director of the Global Fund Project Management Unit. MAC has a major role in Malaysia’s needle exchange program and that program has had significant impact at reducing HIV incidence among people who inject drugs in Malaysia.
They also spent time at Pink Triangle Foundation Community Health Care Centre. Pink Triangle is an important NGO, providing confidential and affordable HIV counselling and testing services through its Community Health Care Centre. At University Malaya Medical Centre Outpatient Clinic they observed a number of presentations and discussed treatment and diagnostic issues with clinic staff. This Centre is a major resource, supervised by Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman and Dr Iskandar Azwa, both of whom are well-known throughout the region. Later in the week, BK and Mark visited the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), which is also part of the University Malaya Medical Centre. Dr Ilia Yee facilitated a visit to Klinik Kok, which provides services to MSM clients and Dr Helmi Sulaiman facilitated a visit to the Cure and Care service at Kerinchi. This centre provides integrated treatment and rehabilitation services for people who inject drugs, including day care and drug substitution therapy. This Regional Twinning Program collaboration is identifying a number of important topics and areas where ongoing collaborations between the partners in Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur can continue.
LMB 5057 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 Australia | t +64 2 8204 0700 | f +64 2 9212 2382 | e international@ashm.org.au
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In the first phase of the Industry Fellowship for Regional Cooperation (IFRC) Twinning and Mentoring Program between Australian and Regional Clinicians, Dr Jojo Sescon and Dr Ilia Taccan Abellanosa from the AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP), visited the Taylor Square Private Clinic and East Sydney Doctors in Sydney, prior to attending the AIDS 2014 Conference in Melbourne, in July last year. In May of 2015, Dr Heidi Spillane, from the Taylor Square Clinic in Sydney, visited Dr Jojo and his colleagues in the next stage of the Twinning Program. Dr Spillane’s visit included an initial meeting with staff at the ASP who provided an overview of the current epidemiology and challenges of HIV in the Philippines. ASP had also prepared a schedule of meetings and activities for Dr Spillane’s week in Manilla. Her visit coincided with the launch of National HIV Testing Week in the Philippines. The significance of this event is evident in the fact that there are currently only 20 HIV treatment hubs across the Philippines. Over 500 people attended this event which was supported by local government representatives and community leaders. Dr Spillane also attended a round-table discussion organised by ASP and their NGO community partners.
Newsletter of the Regional Network | Edition 4
The Twinning Program IFRC Philippines Twinning Program: Phase Two Report (May 9-16th 2015)
In the following days, Dr Spillane visited two of the three treatment hubs available for HIV treatment and care in the National Capital Region (where 44% of HIV cases are found). San Lazaro Infectious Disease Hospital is a tertiary referral hospital for infectious disease and is home to the National Reference Laboratory for HIV (all new HIV diagnoses have bloods sent here for confirmation and Western Blot). Philippine General Hospital is a tertiary referral general hospital and provides care for 1,500 HIV+ patients, 1000 of whom are on ART with 50 on second line treatment. Dr Spillane then visited Santa Ana Hospital and the AIDS Candlelight memorial with Dr Jojo Sescon. Santa Ana Hospital is under the Local Government Unit and is in the process of applying to be the fourth HIV treatment hub in NCR. This will be the first treatment hub that will be under the local government unit as opposed to the central government. She also met with Dr Gerard Belimac, manager of the Philippines National HIV Program, who estimates that with the new strategy to encourage HIV testing, up to 42,000 people may be diagnosed with HIV by the end of the year (double current numbers with known diagnosis). This will go a long way to reduce the many undiagnosed cases in the Philippines. He estimates that 40-50% of people living with HIV in the Philippines are unaware of their diagnosis. Dr Spillane also presented an update on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis to physicians at the Santa Ana Hospital during her visit.
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The Twinning Program IFRC Philippines Twinning Program: Phase Two Report (May 9-16th 2015)
Dr Spillane in discussion with colleagues at ASP, Manilla.
Dr Spillane met with some recently diagnosed people at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, where around 6000 HIV+ people receive care. Sundown Clinic is a male friendly clinic supported by USAID and a sub-treatment centre of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. It operates from 6-11pm Monday to Fridays, and on occasional Sundays. The Clinic provides HIV testing and STI screening as well as ART. It is popular with MSM and on average, one new diagnosis of HIV is made per evening. The main challenge expressed by Dr Ruiz was of clients returning for confirmation of reactive rapid tests (40-50% of clients do not return). At a meeting with AIDS Society of the Philippines Board of Trustees Dr Spillane presented an overview of ASHM and ASHM International to Board members. This was followed by a round table discussion about ways in which ASHM and ASP could collaborate. . Finally, Dr Spillane met with Dr Jojo Feliciano, Director/ Officer In-Charge of Philippines National AIDS Council. Dr Feliciano explained that the existing national HIV strategy is from 2011-2016 and the next HIV strategy will be from 2017-2022, in line with the office of the President. The Philippines National AIDS Council incorporates 17 governmental associations and 9 community based organisations.
The major challenges to effective HIV prevention, treatment and care in the Philippines include: 1. Rapidly Rising HIV cases diagnosed The overwhelming majority of new diagnoses are occurring in MSM
2. Access to ART Stockouts result from poor forecasting, escalating numbers of newly diagnosed, implementation of new treatment guidelines (initiate when CD4<500) and limited budgets
3. Stigma and discrimination Poor acceptance of Key Affected Populations (MSM, IDU, sex workers, migrant workers)
4. Defaulters and poor retention in care Many newly diagnosed HIV+ do not return for confirmation of their HIV results
5. Treatment and Care â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Costs and access issues The identification and communication of these challenges has lead to a number of opportunities for ASP and ASHM to consider collaborations and partnerships, as well as with other members of the Asia and Pacific Regional Professional Societies Network. Those opportunities are now being developed and discussed.
LMB 5057 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 Australia | t +64 2 8204 0700 | f +64 2 9212 2382 | e international@ashm.org.au
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Vietnam Clinical HIV/AIDS Society (VCHAS)
Members of the Organising Committee of the Conference with key partners including: Dr Heiman Wertheim of Oxford University Clinical Research Unit); Richard Allen, Naval Medical Research Center, US and other invited guest speakers at the 5th National Scientific Conference on Infectious Diseases and HIV and AIDS in Vietnam
The 5th VietNam National Scientific Conference on Infectious Diseases and HIV and AIDS was held successfully in Da Lat City, Vietnam on 4 - 5
Forty eight research papers, three program reports and six case studies related to HIV medicine were presented at the Conference.
This year’s conference attracted more VCHAS members, presenters and attendees than previously. There were 850 participants attending the conference, compared to 700 participants who attended the 2014 conference. The Conference Committee received a total of 154 abstracts this year, compared to 114 submissions for the 2014 conference. For the second time, this year’s conference incorporated interactive case-study workshops on topics such as drug resistance, co-infection management, early HIV treatment, access to diagnosis and treatment for key affected populations and mental health in HIV patients. This annual conference also marked its development by launching the conference website for further access of online conference materials.
The major themes of HIV medicine addressed at the Conference included: optimizing the treatment cascade and ‘90-90-90 by 2020’; Treatment as Prevention ; networking with key affected populations, especially MSM communities, and involving key affected populations in HIV care and treatment programs for early diagnosis; first line ARV drug resistance and second line ARV treatment strategies; management of HCV co-infection; and longterm management of chronic conditions related to HIV.
Apart from the 5th National Conference, VCHAS has recently established new branches in 2 provinces, making a total of 9 branches across the country, which will significantly expand VCHAS activities in new provinces. Those activities include providing HIV capacity building and technical assistance for province and district HIV outpatient clinics and HIV network development. In 2015, VCHAS has also launched new training platforms, including case study courses in provinces and E-mentoring.
The main issues of interest concerning HIV and AIDS and key affected populations raised by participants included: increased ARV drug resistance among key affected populations; limited access to regular clinical and viral load monitoring, especially at provincial and district levels; when to change to second line ARV treatment; high prevalence of HCV co-infection among key affected populations; and, high cost of HCV mono-and co-infection treatment as standard regimen; disadvantages of interferon; urgent need for DAA in HCV treatment.
Case-study courses were organized with 2 new VCHAS branches. Case study workshops, via the E-mentoring platform, have been conducted twice a month, in which 15 OPCs are connected through webinar to workshop case studies or discuss updates on HIV/AIDS treatment and care guidelines in Viet Nam and internationally.
September 2015. The Conference was co-organised by the Vietnam Clinical HIV/AIDS Society (VCHAS) in collaboration with the Vietnam Society of Infectious Diseases (VSID) and the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (NHTD). The Organising Committee would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our conference partners and sponsors and thank them for their tremendous support of this year’s Conference.
http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/90-90-90_en_0.pdf
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Newsletter of the Regional Network | Edition 4
The conference special edition of the Vietnam Scientific Journal on Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS was also distributed to all conference participants. |
2
http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/mtct/programmatic_update_tasp/en/
www.ashm.org.au
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Regional Network 1st Assembly of the Regional Network
1 st
1st Assembly of the Regional Network Assembly of the Regional Societies Network on HIV, Viral Hepatitis & Sexual Health
The aim of the Assembly is to identify where there may be learnings to
Strengthening Collaboration & Capacity in Asia Pacific 15-17 January 2016 | Bangkok This Assemby is back to back with HIV-NAT Symposium
Dr Mark Boyd, President of ASHM’s Board and Prof Dr Praphan Phanuphak, The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand invite you to attend the 1st Assembly of the Regional Societies Network on HIV, Viral Hepatitis & Sexual Health. This meeting of regional professional societies and agencies working in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health will: •
showcase what is working well and how this has been achieved
•
review country priorities for professional development
These two discussions will open a dialogue between regional organisations and explore how they can work together to exchange ideas and further collaborate.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
AIMS OF THE ASSEMBLY This will be the 1st stage of an ongoing process to strengthen the professional development of the health workforce through regular meetings, on-line fora and information exchange through: •
Identifying key points of collaboration across regional societies, centres of excellence and experts
•
Mapping and planning a response to strengthen skills and competencies in areas of clinical practice and delivery of services
•
Strengthening the constitution and function of a Regional Professional Societies Network including support to new societies
•
Professional Societies and Associations representing the health workforce in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health
•
Colleges and organisations responsible for accrediting health professionals working in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health
•
Government and non-government individuals and groups, responsible for setting clinical and operational guidelines
•
Individuals or organisations involved in providing workforce development and training in HIV and viral hepatitis management and sexual health for doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers
•
Strategic planners, program managers and policy makers working in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health
be shared in order to respond to specific needs. ASHM acts as the secretariat for the Regional Network and is facilitating the organisation of the Assembly. A special issue of the Network newsletter will introduce the organisations in the network.
THEMES •
A focus on translating clinical skills and research findings into applied practice
•
A forum for sharing related ideas and practice across HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health exploring the role of professional societies in the national response to HIV, Viral Hepatitis and sexual health
MORE INFORMATION www.ashm.org.au/programs/international/regional-societies www.hivnat.org/en/bangkoksymposium
in conjunction with
Objectives of the Assembly:
Who will attend the Assembly?
What are the intended outcomes of the Assembly?
• To provide a forum for the sharing of information between clinicians and researchers who are involved in professional development activities in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health.
We are inviting all network members and agencies with a role in providing professional development to attend. We are inviting multilateral and bilateral partners, aid and development agencies, governments, and provincial authorities and organisations to see where there may be learning to be shared to respond to specific needs. The invitation will be extended to key NGOs working in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health.
• Networking
• To showcase activities which are being or have been conducted by professional organisations and/or workforce development agencies which have been successful and which may have undergone further refinement to improve their own quality. • To recognise, verbalise and note key professional development needs across the region, for which a response from regional professional societies may be available. • To provide space for the sharing of ideas and to allow countries, multilateral and bilateral partners, development agencies, governments, and provincial authorities and organisations to see where there may be learnings to be shared to respond to specific needs.
• Information exchange • Growth of the Regional Network • A program booklet and website which describes current Network members and showcases their activities and others presenting at the Assembly. • A proceedings report to be posted on the website which lists new members to the Network and summarises proceedings from the Assembly • A professional and capacity development needs assessment generated from discussions at the Assembly will be posted on the website. It will be able to be used by attendees to seek additional funding and or support.
LMB 5057 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 Australia | t +64 2 8204 0700 | f +64 2 9212 2382 | e international@ashm.org.au
Newsletter of the Regional Network | Edition 4 Dr. Ly Peng sun and Dr. Samreth Sovannarith
Director and Head of AIDS Care Unit
President Director
Chairman of the board (president) Science and Technology Advisor
President President
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD
Individual member
AIDS institute
Center for Liver Health, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
AsiaHep
The HIV Medical Association of India (HIVMAI
Indian Society of Gastroenterology
AAAMH Health Care
Angsamerah Institution
Indonesia Medical Association (IDI)
The Japanese Society for AIDS Research
Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
Mahosoth Hospital
MASHM - Malaysian Society for HIV Medicine
Malaysian Academy of Medicine
Myamar Liver Foundation
Oceania Society for Sexual Health and HIV Medicine (OSSHHM) Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific (CEVHAP)
PNG Sexual Health Society
AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP)
Cambodia
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
India
India
Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia
Japan
Japan
Laos
Malaysia
Malaysia
Myanmar
Pacific
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
www.ashm.org.au President
Deputy President
President
Head of HIV Care and Treatment
IDI HIV Program Coordinator
Founder and Director
Hon Secretary
Chief Medical Officer
Founding chairperson
Dr Graham Neilsen
International consultant in sexual health and development
Australia
Yes Invited
John Millan Dr. Maria Isabel E. Melgar
Yes
Yes
Dr. Khin Pyone Kyi and Dr. Phone Myint Win Arvin Chaudhary
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Invited
Invited
Yes
Invited
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Sending a representative Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Members
Invited
Invited
Yes
Attending the assembly
Prof Rosmawati Mohamed
Suresh Kumar
Dr. Prasith Phimmasone
Dr Aikichi Iwamoto
Shuzo Matsushita
Dr. Dyah Agustina Waluyo
Dr. Nurlan Silitonga
Dr Mujahid Hussain
Dr Rakesh Kochhar
Dr.N.Kumarasamy
Dr Nancy Leung
Prof Henry Lik Yuen Chan
Professor Zhiwei Chen
KH Wong
Levinia Crooks
CEO
Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine
Australia
Name
Role
Organisation
Country
14 Regional Network
Countries and societies participating in the meeting, including the name and role of attendees.
Regional Director
International Union against Sexually T ransmitted Infections-Asia - Pacific Region
Pacific Society for Reproductive Health
Communicable Disease Centre
Regional
Regional
Sinagpore
Senior Consultant Director of Hepatology
President President
Society of ID
National Skin Centre
HIV Programme, National University Hospital
National University Health System, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Individual member
Mt Elizabeth Hospital
Action for AIDS
Action for AIDS
College of Venereologists (Sexual Health and HIV Medicine)
National STD/AIDS Control Programme
Taiwan AIDS Society
Individual member
Thai AIDS Society
The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre
Timor Leste Medical Association (AMTL)
Vietnam Clinical HIV/AIDS Society (VCHAS)
Sinagpore
Sinagpore
Sinagpore
Sinagpore
Sinagpore
Sinagpore
Sinagpore
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Taiwan
Thailand
Thailand
Timor Leste
Vietnam
Kinh Van Nguyen
Dr. Virna Martin - Sams
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr. Thanomsak, and Dr. Winai Dr Kiat Ruxrungtham
Yes
Yes
Hsi-Hsun Lin and Dr. Chien-Ching Hung Prof Ding-Shinn Chen
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Ariyaratne Manathunge
Dr Ajith Karawita
Dr. Min JA Kim
Roy Chan
Dr Hin Kin Liau
Dr Nick Paton
Yes
Yes
Sophia Archuleta Seng Gee Lim
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Invited
Attending the assembly
Dr Martin Chio Tze-Wei
Dr David Lye
Dr Lim Yen Loo
Dr Lee Cheng Chuan
Kathleen Gapirongo
Dr. Somesh Gupta
Name
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
In progress
Yes
Yes
Yes
In progress
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
In progress
In progress
In progress
In progress
Yes
Yes
Members
Countries and societies participating in the meeting, including the name and role of attendees.
President
President
Professor of Medicine
Current and future presidents
Chair
President
President
 CEVHAP Member
President
Dermatological Society of Singapore
Sinagpore President
Head of HIV
President
Role
Organisation
Country
Regional Network
15
LMB 5057 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 Australia | t +64 2 8204 0700 | f +64 2 9212 2382 | e international@ashm.org.au
16
Regional Network Draft Program
Friday 15th January 2016 Time
Session
12.00 – 16:00
Registration and exhibition showcase
16:00 – 17:00
Opening plenary including presentations on the aims of the meeting, the role of professional societies and partnerships and collaborations. Keynote on the role and importance of Professional Societies and professional Workforce Development
17:00 – 17:30
Introductions of professional societies, workforce development organisations and key individuals present
17:30 – 19:00
Networking event
Saturday 16th January 2016 Time
Session
08:30 – 10:00
Panel: Showcasing effective, innovative and different activities and collaborations,including examples, key organisations across the Asia and Pacific regions and various disease areas
10:00 – 10:30
Morning tea break
10:30 – 12:00
Panel: Identifying professional needs, gaps and challenges, including discussions on specific skills, WHO’s three 2016-2021 Global Health Sector Strategies for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and funding to be determined in consultation with attendees prior to the Assembly
12:00 – 13:00
Lunch and Networking, including facilitated poster tours.
13:00 – 15:00
Workshops including: Training, Technology, Mentoring and Collaborations
15:00 – 15:30
Afternoon tea break
15:30 – 17:00
Reporting back from the Workshops and discussion on key issues
18:30
Networking dinner
Sunday 17th January 2016 Time
Session
09:30 – 11:00
Professional Organisation forum - representatives from the various countries in attendance will discuss network membership, key areas of learning and areas/activities to explore further.
11:00 – 12:00
Supporting the Network? Discussions on funding options and opportunities for the Regional Network
12:00
Close & next steps
12:30 – 14:00
3rd ASHM International Advisory Board Meeting
About us The APRSN Newsletter has been published through the support of the ASHM International Gift Fund. For further information on APRSN or the articles in this newsletter, please contact:International Division Australiasian Society for HIV Medicine National Office LMB 5057 Darlinghurst NSW 1300 t: +61 2 8204 0700 f: +61 2 9212 2382 e: international@ashm.org.au
The Regional Network represents 42 national professional societies, associations and organisations across Asia and the Pacific that support HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health care work force development and providers. The Regional Network supports the skills and needs of professionals, in order to provide state of the art advice to national HIV, viral hepatitis and sexual health bodies and best practice care to people affected by, and living with, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections across Asia and the Pacific.
The Regional Network is committed to the principles of inclusion, gender, disability and human rights contexts. Regional Network members actively seek collaborative projects, which allow the strengthening of capacity and professional development of relevant health care providers experiencing similar challenges and contexts.
www.ashm.org.au