Program

12:25 - 12:30   Opening remarks - AUBMC and IAS

Session I:

HIV and COVID: Intersection of Two Pandemics - Challenges and Future Prospects

Moderators: Dr. Jameela Al Salman and Dr. Ghina Mumtaz

12:30 - 12:50 Keynote lecture: Towards HIV eradication – Lessons from COVID-Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman

12:50 - 13:10 How did COVID-19 affect HIV in the MENA: Challenges and Lessons-Dr. Joumana Hermez

13:10 - 13:50 HIV and COVID: Collision of two pandemics: A moderated discussion sharing the experience rising up to the challenges (views from Lebanon, Tunis and Saudi Arabia)

Moderator: Dr. Salim Adib - Speaker: Dr. Jacques Mokhbat - Panelists: Dr. Bandar Alamri and Dr. Mohamed Chakroun

13:50 - 14:30 Conflicts, HIV and vulnerable populations caught up in a COVID storm (IOM Refugees, UNAIDS, IVDU Morocco, Yemen)

Moderator: Dr. Kaveh Khoshnood - Panelists: Dr. Nada Najem, Ms. Naoual Laaziz, and Dr. Abdulhameed Al Sahybi

14:30 – 14:50  BREAK

Session II:

HIV and COVID-19: Intersection of Two Pandemics - Clinical perspectives

Moderator: Dr. Serhat Unal

14:50 – 15:10  HIV + COVID19: Clinical Impacts-Dr. Anton Ponziak

15:10 - 15:30 Towards HIV eradication: are we closer than we think? New meds, injectables, HIV vaccines-Dr. John Thornhill  

15:30 - 15:50 Metabolic complications and long-term issues with ART: New insights-Dr. Marta Boffito

15:50 – 16:10 Discussion /Q&A

16:10 - 16:30 Prevention/efforts: a focus on sexual health services and PrEP (UNAIDS, Lebanese experience and Morocco experience)

Moderator: Dr. Chris Beyrer - Panelists: Mr. Elie Ballan, Dr. Mehdi Karkouri and Dr. Ismael Maatouk

Objectives

At the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

·       Recognize the HIV epidemiology and gaps in HIV surveillance and prevention efforts of the HIV infection in the MENA region in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic

·       Describe the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in people living with HIV. 

·       Identify the complications associated with HIV and ART: cancers, metabolic issues, weight gain.

·       Describe the current situation of HIV in the pediatric population in the MENA region

·       Recognize new ART agents including injectables and the future of HIV treatment after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

·       Describe the basics of potential HIV cure and HIV vaccines (lessons from the COVID-19 vaccine)

Target Audience

This activity has been designed for HIV and AIDS healthcare providers and practitioners in the MENA region, mainly physicians, nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, psychologists, residents, fellows and medical and nursing students.