The coalition held its second quarterly meeting on 16 August 2022 with 20 members in attendance. The meeting was chaired by Sakhile Khaweka.
- Purpose 2 Trial- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Long acting- a talk by John Mdluli
- The presentation provided a brief background of the Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) as medicine taken to prevent getting HIV. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed and most importantly reduces HIV risk from sex by about 99%. John explained that the Purpose 2 study is a study sponsored by Gilead that is producing this Prep medicine. It is targeting groups that are disproportionally affected by HIV and historically underrepresented in HIV clinical studies.
2. Task team updates:
Positioning and capacity building task – the team shared an update and key highlights, and these include the Budget Advocacy workshop. The session aimed at developing practical and implementable budget advocacy strategies. The workshop started off with a SWOT analysis session which members identified challenges and areas of support wherek. They identified key budget issues and decisions to target, Identified influencers or decision makers. The teams crafted strategies, messages, timelines, and implementation plans for budget influencing.
In celebration of Women’s month, the team has planned a Diversity and Gender equity workshop for 22 August. Prof Mzikazi Nduna, a gender expects has been invited to lead the discussion. The team invited all members to participate in the event. Sibulele Sibaca will facilitate the webinar
Regulatory Harmonisation – the team shared an update as follows:
- Submitted the concept and letter of invitation for SAHPRA to participate in upcoming meeting on Accelerated Registration of Prequalified Finished Pharmaceutical Products (FPPs). We have received response and they will liaise with the office of the chief regulatory office and revert.
- The team continues to advocate for the AMA ratification through the NDoH. Ratification documents were approved by the cabinet committee
There is a discussion on data sharing agreement, South Africa moving towards a data transfer agreement- what is our role as a coalition in the space of data sharing agreement. We could have a role in the process with the regulator- We need to see future trials include the issue of access for patients and communities. For future protocols SAHPRA can ensure the is discussions on cost and access. The RH task team can explore opportunities and follow up on this.
Resource Mobilisation
The update from the Budget Advocacy workshop has highlighted some of the strategies we will be adopting to advocate for increased funding for Health R&D
an update on the planned Roundtable titled Strengthening Health Research and Development funding in South Africa. The Roundtable is planned for the 18th August at the Hilton Hotel, Sandton in partnership with Mail Guardian. The Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo who was invited as a keynote speaker had initially agreed but turned down the invitation due to other state engagements. Other speakers have confirmed. The aim of the Roundtable is providing a platform for government, CSOs and other stakeholders to discuss and assess public funding for Health R&D with a focus on funding for medicines and medical products. We have three great speaker that have confirmed
The secretariate recently met with Research! America an organisation that is funded by BMGF and part of GHTC, they could potentially assist us in linking us with private sector funders.
3.Subgrants updates
Equity Health Consultants- Bobby- The project is targeting adolescent girls 10- to 14-year-olds in six schools in the Tshwane area, the Life Orientation Educators and SGB members. We were advised to avoid the lower grades because it will be an overload and there is a lot of work and discussions that have been done in grade seven on HIV, STIs and teen pregnancies. The focus will be on grade sevens learners and the LOE, but will be assessing the level of services for HIV the against the integrated schools programme, and these will be carried out in Soshanguve, Garankua and Mabopane.He added that the Principals had agreed that they should engage the learners after school so there is enough time instead during school hours. He expressed that there is excitement among the learners and LOE and the schools. The project supports the diversity and gender equity Primary Objective because the project is aimed at empowering adolescent girls to access SRH services.
Kgoroko Social Investments- Pinampi – The project focuses on empowering young people to access Sexual reproductive health, to be in a position to share and express their ideas to issues relating to their mental health and wellbeing. The last two months the team has been promoting and creating awareness on gender equity and gender transformation in four high schools. Advocacy and awareness and establish community Health clubs so that even during school holidays the young girls can access, we have approached clinics and they gave a mentor/nurse. Plan to address issues of SRH services discrimination and gender equity
