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Senior U.S health official attends ICASA conference in Harare
30 Nov 2015 at 05:36hrs | Views
Ambassador-at-Large, Deborah L. Birx, M.D., will visit Zimbabwe to attend and address the 18th International Conference on HIVand AIDS and STIs (ICASA) scheduled to take place from November 29 through December 4th.
US Embassy in Harare reported that Ambassador Birx, a renowned medical expert in the field of HIV and AIDS, immunology, vaccine research, and global health, is the Coordinator of the United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy.
"She oversees implementation of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in history, as well as all U.S. Government engagement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Ambassador Birx envisions that epidemic control and delivering an AIDS-free generation requires doing the "right thing in the right place at the right time," said the Embassy.
The Embassy said PEPFAR is the U.S. government initiative to save the lives of those affected by HIV and AIDS around the world.
"This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally, and PEPFAR investments have also helped to alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. Since 2005, PEPFAR has provided US$650 million for HIV and AIDS interventions in Zimbabwe," said the US Embassy.
"This year, PEPFAR has committed $128 million to cover key treatment, prevention and testing initiatives to combat HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe. This support has ensured that by 2015, 434,000 people receive HIV services, including antiretroviral therapy; over 156,000 voluntary medical male circumcisions to reduce incidences of HIV amongst men; and HIV testing and counseling for over 430,000 pregnant women."
The Embassy said the funding has also supported over 300,000 orphans, vulnerable children, and their caregivers in Zimbabwe by providing education, social protection, or economic strengthening support.
"PEPFAR activities in Zimbabwe are coordinated by key Embassy agencies that include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC- Zimbabwe) and the U.S.Department of State," said the Embassy.
US Embassy in Harare reported that Ambassador Birx, a renowned medical expert in the field of HIV and AIDS, immunology, vaccine research, and global health, is the Coordinator of the United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy.
"She oversees implementation of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in history, as well as all U.S. Government engagement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Ambassador Birx envisions that epidemic control and delivering an AIDS-free generation requires doing the "right thing in the right place at the right time," said the Embassy.
The Embassy said PEPFAR is the U.S. government initiative to save the lives of those affected by HIV and AIDS around the world.
"This year, PEPFAR has committed $128 million to cover key treatment, prevention and testing initiatives to combat HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe. This support has ensured that by 2015, 434,000 people receive HIV services, including antiretroviral therapy; over 156,000 voluntary medical male circumcisions to reduce incidences of HIV amongst men; and HIV testing and counseling for over 430,000 pregnant women."
The Embassy said the funding has also supported over 300,000 orphans, vulnerable children, and their caregivers in Zimbabwe by providing education, social protection, or economic strengthening support.
"PEPFAR activities in Zimbabwe are coordinated by key Embassy agencies that include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC- Zimbabwe) and the U.S.Department of State," said the Embassy.
Source - Byo24News
