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Inside this Edition:
Cambodia: Cambodia Launches “PRASIT” Project [more]
Botswana: Developments in HIV/AIDS and TB Shared With Botswana Districts [more]
Microsoft/USG: Microsoft/USG Initiative to Promote International Development [more]
Vietnam: New Community Counseling and Support Center Opens in Vietnam [more]
PEPFAR/BD: Public-Private Partnership to Strengthen Laboratory Systems [more]
Haiti: Ambassador Dybul Visits Haiti [more]
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WORLD AIDS DAY
December 1, 2007
The U.S. Government theme for World AIDS Day is “The Power of Partnerships” to highlight the successes and future promise of partnerships in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Please visit www.pepfar.gov/WorldAIDSDay2007 to view all of the PEPFAR World AIDS Day Resources. |
Cambodia Launches “PRASIT” Project: Project Will Provide HIV/AIDS Strategic Technical Assistance
On November 1, 2007, the Project for HIV/ AIDS Strategic Technical Assistance, supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan/PEPFAR), was launched in Cambodia. This new project, referred to as “PRASIT,” which means “effectiveness” in Khmer, aims to help Cambodia sustain its success in reducing HIV prevalence, and in providing humane and effective services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
In his remarks to launch the project, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph A. Mussomeli said, “Through PRASIT, our assistance will continue to focus on prevention among high risk populations...The United States Government is committed to continuing to support the Royal Government of Cambodia to ensure that the successes achieved to date are maintained, and that Cambodia’s capacity to deal with the future is in place.”
Cambodia Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health H.E. Professor Eng Hout remarked, “Providing technical and financial support to national programs at all levels in accordance with the national strategic plan of the Ministry of Health, and using harmonizing mechanisms in good collaboration with all development partners, is the key to successfully achieving the object of the program.” |
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Developments in HIV/AIDS and TB Shared With Botswana Districts
With support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan/PEPFAR), BOTUSA, the American Embassy and the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) are reaching out to several Botswana health districts with seminars featuring the latest interventions and research in critical areas like HIV/AIDS and TB prevention, treatment and capacity-building.
The first seminar, entitled “New Directions in HIV/ AIDS”, took place in Selebi Phikwe on September 25-26, 2007 for members of the media and local leaders, including the District Multi-Sectoral AIDS Committee, the District Officer, Town Mayor and Members of Parliament. The goal of this seminar was to highlight the latest successes in HIV research and programs in Botswana; raise public awareness; and encourage dialogue at the district level among leadership, media, district planners and other HIV/AIDS stakeholders.
Included in the Selebi Phikwe program were a diverse range of presenters who discussed the latest in HIV and TB prevention, clinical trials, counseling and testing, treatment and capacity-building in Botswana.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the American Embassy in Gaborone, Mr. Philip Drouin, said the workshop will be taken to other districts including Francistown, Serowe, Kasane and Ghanzi.
“These districts and yours (Selebi Phikwe) provide HIV services to tens-of-thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS and represent the regions of the country with some of the highest HIV prevalence rates – yet these districts are also the ones often left out of the conversation and debate surrounding HIV/AIDS issues,” he said. “All too often, the conversation remains at the central level in Gaborone, never making it to the ones who stand to benefit most…Let us re-dedicate ourselves to making a difference. Working together, everything is possible.” |
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Microsoft/USG Initiative to Promote International Development
On October 22, 2007, Microsoft Corp. and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan/PEPFAR), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) announced a unique public-private collaboration to promote international development in the areas of economic growth, health, governance, education and humanitarian assistance around the world.
The five-year public-private partnership aims to catalyze the global community to address the diverse social and business challenges faced by those who currently receive few or no benefits from technology.
Please visit http://www.pepfar.gov/press/93790.htm for additional information.
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New Community Counseling and Support Center Opens in Vietnam
Recently, a new Community Counseling and Support Center supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan/PEPFAR) opened in Ho Chi Minh City’s Go Vap District.
Nearly 40 percent of Go Vap District’s population are migrants from other provinces, making it the largest migrant population in any district in Ho Chi Minh City. Migrant workers in Vietnam are vulnerable to contracting HIV because of high rates of injecting drug use (IDU) and high-risk sexual behaviors. Go Vap District also is home to a large population of former IDUs returning from six drug rehabilitation centers. These centers are known for high rates of HIV infection, with more than half the residents at some centers testing HIV positive. Go Vap also has substantial numbers of people in prostitution, many of whom report migratory workers as a common client. In 2006, HIV prevalence in Go Vap was reported at 0.17 percent, with 850 reported cases and 330 cases receiving follow-up.
At the dedication ceremony, U.S. Deputy Principal Officer to Ho Chi Minh City Angela Dickey stated, “Over the past three years, the United States has increased its support for the work of the Ho Chi Minh City Provincial AIDS Committee under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, investing approximately $4.5 million this year. During this year, these programs will provide HIV counseling and testing across the city to more than 17,000 people -- free of charge.” |
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Public-Private Partnership to Strengthen Laboratory Systems
In a pioneering public-private partnership, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan/PEPFAR) and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) will support the improvement of overall laboratory systems and services in African countries severely affected by HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
Through this five-year public-private partnership, valued at up to $18 million, the Emergency Plan and BD will work on the ground with national reference laboratories, Ministries of Health, and implementing partners to provide direct support to countries to assist with their efforts to strengthen laboratory systems.
This collaboration will initially target Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda and will potentially extend to additional countries.
For additional information, please visit http://www. pepfar.gov/press/94448.htm. |
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Ambassador Dybul Visits Haiti
During his October 2007 visit to Haiti, Ambassador Dybul (second from left) met with (pictured from left to right) Dr. Emile Hérald Charles, Executive Director of Fondation SogeBank; His Excellency Jacques Edouard Alexis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti; Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria; Haiti Minister of Public Health and the Population Dr. Robert Auguste; and Haiti Minister of the Environment Jean-Marie Claude Germain. Photo by Haiti PEPFAR Team | |
Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator
2100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20522 |
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