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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. 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

11. Thank You