South African TB conference Durban 1 - 4 July 2008

One of the biggest challenges of fighting Tuberculosis is early diagnosis and treatment. South African scientists and their international collaborators have been at the forefront in finding a new test for the rapid diagnosis of multi drug-resistant tuberculosis globally.

This test is regarded as a break-through that can reduce the time it takes to diagnose drug resistant TB from six to eight weeks to about a week, thereby prevent ongoing transmission of TB to the community.

The participants of this new test include the Medical Research Council (MRC), National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Department of Health TB Control Programme and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics.

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang will announce the new developments and the roll-out during a media conference in Durban on 1 July 2008 at 15:30, immediately before the opening session of the SA TB Conference.

On 3 July at 14:00 in Hall 3C at the Durban ICC, a special symposium featuring speakers from the various organisations will elaborate further on this new development. This symposium will be open to all registered journalist and regular delegates, but seating is limited.

All these activities form part of the first South African TB Conference in Durban from 1-4 July. Therefore only journalists who have registered to attend the Conference will have access to the above and other daily media conferences.

Journalists interested in attending the Conference, should apply for media registration before Friday 20 June, to save themselves the trouble and frustration of long queues at the on-site registration desk. For the safety of delegates, strict security measures will be in place and only registered delegates will be allowed to enter the Durban ICC.

A total 235 TB-related presentations covering basic science; clinical, epidemiological and operational research; and patient and civil society mobilisation and advocacy will be presented during the four day event.

Highlights of the plenary sessions include presentations on:

- Enhancing Partnerships to respond to TB/HIV Challenges in South Africa - Dr Okey Nwanyanwu of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- One hundred years of research to understand the role of mycolic acids in TB - Prof. Mark Baird, Bangor University, Wales and Extraordinary Professor of the University of Pretoria.
- Clinical management, opportunities and challenges (HIV-TB synergy) - Prof. Umesh Lalloo, School of Clinical Medicine, Nelson R Mandela Medical School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
- Novel anti-tuberculosis agents in clinical testing - Dr Andreas Diacon, University of Stellenbosch.
- New diagnostics for TB infection and disease - Prof Jan Verschoor, University of Pretoria.
- TB Control in South Africa: What will it take? - Dr Lindiwe Mvusi, Department of Health
- Patient autonomy and community mobilization - Ms. Lucy Chesire, Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO)
- Human rights perspective to TB programmes and including Drug Resistant TB - Mr. Mark Heywood, AIDS Law Project.

MEDIA CENTRE

The Media Centre serves the needs of journalists covering the Conference. This enclosed area will be open to accredited members of the media only. The centre provides press conference facilities and work stations. Free wireless Internet access is available in the Durban ICC.

To register as a media delegate, please complete the media registration form which can be obtained from Magda Naude at .

Please complete all the compulsory fields and attach the required supporting documents to speed up the accreditation process.

We are looking forward welcoming you at the TB Conference in Durban!