Former Justice of the High Court of Australia and current representative of the UNAIDS Expert on HIV and Human Rights The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG will speak at The University of Queensland on Tuesday September 27.
Michael Kirby will speak about the historical challenges and social stigmas related to HIV/AIDS and his role as an advocate for disease-related issues at the 54th Annual E S Meyers Memorial Lecture.
The lecture, entitled: “HIV/AIDS and Law Reform: Desperate Need to Move Mountains” will discuss the continually changing relationship between law and medicine in fighting the epidemic.
“The UQ Medical Society sees the next generation of doctors playing a crucial role in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness in both patients and the public,” event co-convenor and third-year medical student Mr Anand Ramineni said.
“Prevention is of paramount importance, and this is where law plays a crucial role,” co-convenor and third year medical student Ms Jessica Phillips-Yelland said.
“Reforms to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS need to be balanced against the concerns of discrimination and achieving optimal health care.”
Since 1957, the E S Meyers Memorial Lecture has been held to honour the work of Dr Errol Solomon Meyers, a founding member of The University of Queensland Medical School.
The annual lecture addresses the role of education and circumstances of vulnerable groups, and reviews access to necessary treatments.
Whilst modern advances in treatment have dramatically improved mortality, stigma towards HIV positive patients remains an ongoing concern, co-convenor and third year medical student Ms Jessica Bunker said.
The positive momentum generated by Mr Kirby and his contemporaries needs to be continued by future doctors, and it is hoped that a greater understanding of the action needed will be developed, Mr Ramineni said.
In 2010, the Honourable Michael Kirby was named co-winner of the Gruber Justice Prize, conferred in Washington and has received 20 honorary degrees from Australian and overseas universities.
As a highlight of the School of Medicine’s annual events, the lecture has featured a broad range of professionals from Australia’s medical community including paediatric neurosurgeon Dr Charles Teo and Nobel Laureate Dr Peter Doherty.
The 54th Annual E S Meyers Memorial Lecture will take place at the UQ Centre in St Lucia at 5.30pm, however registration for the event is now closed.
Donations from the evening will contribute to the Ashintosh Trust and the Baird Institute of Cardiology.
Media: Anand Ramineni (esmeyers@uqms.org) or Allison Rock at UQ Communications (07) 3365 2619
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