Moshi Hosts Third EAPOC Annual General Meeting
By Fumbwe Rehema
The East Africa Point of Care Viral Load (EAPOC-VL) 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Moshi, Tanzania brought together experts from Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI), Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), National Institute for Medical Research Tanzania (NIMR), Management and Development for Health (MDH) Tanzania, University of Rwanda, Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRC), and Medical Research Council Uganda (MRC) from 6th-7th May 2024.
EAPOC- VL focuses on strategies to improve viral load suppression among children, adolescents, and young people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in the East African region.
Professor Blandina Mmbaga opened the event on behalf of KCMC's Prof. Gileard Masenga, welcoming participants to the two-day event. The meeting featured insightful keynote addresses from Rowland van de Ven, Country Technical Director of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), and Dr. Ibrahim Sembua, the Kilimanjaro Regional AIDS Coordinator, who highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing HIV care and treatment.
The discussions at the AGM evaluated the performance of the EAPOC-VL project, shared challenges faced by healthcare providers in the region, and outlined activities planned for the fourth year of the project, including strategies for sustainability. The meeting provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen partnerships in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Additionally, the students who benefited from the project, including those pursuing Master's and Ph.D. degrees, had the opportunity to present their progress. Some presented virtually, while others presented in person. This platform allowed them to enhance their work.
In addition to the intensive discussions, some participants had the opportunity to take a tour, allowing them to witness firsthand the impact of the project on the ground.
EAPOC- VL is part of the EDCTP programme supported by European Union under grant agreement RIA2019IR-2873
