PEPFAR Partner Honored with the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize 2008

Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Ambassador Mark Dybul, Coordinator of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR):

“We are pleased that a bold partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Kenya, Professor Miriam K. Were, has been honored with the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize. As Chairperson of Kenya’s National AIDS Control Council, Professor Were has provided strong leadership in Kenya’s national response to the epidemic. In a nation where an estimated 1.3 million adults and children are HIV-positive, she is committed to ensuring a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to address the needs of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR is proud to be supporting the courageous leadership of people, like Professor Were, who commit their lives every day to the service of their countrymen and women – giving of themselves for others. Together, we are building systems and empowering individuals, communities and nations to tackle HIV/AIDS.”

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) employs the most diverse prevention, treatment and care strategy in the world, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability for results. The goals of the Emergency Plan’s first five years include support for treatment for two million HIV-infected people, support for prevention of seven million new infections, and support for care for 10 million people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.