THE SANAC RESEARCH SECTOR Presented by Dr. Olive Shisana Interim Chairperson 22 January 2009

Background to the Research Sector Formally constituted on 10 August 2007 through a consultative process Providing platform for setting research priorities and developing national research agenda for HIV and AIDS in SA Interim Steering Committee There are five subcommittees Prevention Treatment, Care & Support Measurement & Evaluation Human Rights, Policy, Stigma Health Systems

Role of the Research Sector Key role Brief description Coordination Provide a forum for the coordination of HIV & AIDS research in SA (but not controlling the work of scientists) Serve as a link between the researchers and SANAC Technical support Facilitate the conduct of research in support of the NSP Support work of other sectors through providing expert advice and independent information Ensure that evidence generated by research is translated into policy and programmes Prioritisation Assist with the development of a prioritised research agenda Ensure broad stakeholder input into the research agenda Ensure budgetary support for the essential research agenda Capacity- building Facilitate capacity building of researchers, with particular focus on previously disadvantaged groups Assist with research capacity building of other sectors in SANAC Reporting Prepare mid-year and annual research reports

The Research Sector Plan 2007-2009 Support preparation of the 2007 UNGASS Report Optimizing implementation of PMTCT interventions Facilitating integration of PMTCT services with early infant diagnosis and community based access to HAART Optimizing Integration of Prevention Research with Treatment & Care Facilitate Access to ARV’S Bibliographic, research database of South African research on HIV/AIDS Develop and Support a Research Priority Setting Process & Capacity Building Monitoring and Evaluation Readiness Assessment (from the M&E report)

Major Activities Technical assistance to SANAC in implementation, monitoring and evaluation Development of funding proposal – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Active participation in SANAC PIC and Plenary meetings Convening of Civil Society Planning Conference Appointment of a Research and Communication Assistant to Deputy Chair of SANAC

Major Activities Prevention Publication of newspaper article “Search for Success”, clarifying the importance of biomedical HIV prevention trials Male Circumcision (MC) Resolution to SANAC PIC on MC Contribution at SANAC Civil Society meeting on MC Process underway to facilitate a synthesis paper on MC Social and Behavioural Interventions (SBI) Review report of SBIs in SA Finalizing recommendation to SANAC on SBIs to support Capacity Building workshops in SBI Positive Prevention intervention implemented in Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga

Major Activities Treatment, Care and Support VCT Contribution to review of the national draft VCT Policy proposal Consultation underway to render support to DoH in identified areas of VCT, including Scope of practice of lay counselors, children and HIV testing

Major Activities Surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation Contribution to development of the M&E framework for SANAC Development of the draft M&E report for DoH Development of capacity of provincial staff in M&E Provincial training workshops, focusing on M&E requirements of the NSP Contribution to the 2007 UNGASS Report Surveillance 2008 Household Survey

Major Activities Health Systems (HS) Meeting during the Public Health Association of SA conference Human Resources identified as focus are in HS Workshop convened on Human Resources for Health in the context of the NSP Focus on Lay and Community Health Workers, Multi- Skilling and Task Shifting and HIV&TB and Health Workers Key priorities identified and potential collaborative structures mapped towards implementing the NSP

Thank You