
Symposium at IAS 2025: How Long-acting Drugs Can Help End the HIV Pandemic in Africa
15 July 2025
MBChB, DTMH, DCH, FCP(SA), PhD
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation / University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
Prof Linda-Gail Bekker (MBChB, DTMH, DCH, FCP (SA), PhD) is the Director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, UCT and Chief Executive Officer of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation. Prof Bekker is a physician, scientist and infectious disease specialist. Her research interests include programmatic and action research around antiretroviral roll out and TB integration, prevention of HIV in women, youth and MSM. She is PI of the NIH (USA) funded UCTCTU and remains actively involved in the work of the four associated clinical research sites and four DAIDS networks. She has led numerous investigator driven studies in HIV treatment, prevention and tuberculosis. Bekker serves on numerous international scientific and advisory committees and served as President-Elect (2014- 2016) and then President (2016-2018) of the International AIDS Society. She is a A+ rated scientist, has published >600 peer-reviewed papers.
This module offers practical insights into the unique needs of women in HIV care. Learn about the impact of menopause on women living with HIV, explore new prevention options tailored for women at risk, and review clinical data on long-acting HIV treatments. Designed for clinicians and public health professionals, this module supports gender-responsive, evidence-based care.
What Will Set You Apart?
After following this educational module, participants will:
Is This Program for You?
The program is aimed at clinicians from various specialties who occasionally treat women affected by HIV, such as primary care physicians, family doctors, OBGYN, HIV care nurses, transgender healthcare clinicians, adolescent medicine professionals, and preventive medicine professionals, as well as public health workers and researchers engaged in HIV-related disciplines at varying degrees.
What Will You Cover in This Module?