United States Mission Geneva

As part of the United States’ Global Health Initiative (GHI), up to 20 countries will receive technical and management resources that will help them quickly implement innovative health solutions. The first eight countries have been chosen and work has begun.

“USAID is proud to work with the Partnership for Supply Chain Management to help improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in countries most severely impacted by the epidemic,” said Susan Brems, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID. “We congratulate the Partnership on this most deserved honor and award.”

A gel that may be able to reduce the risk of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) offers new hope and direction for HIV prevention, according to the United States global AIDS coordinator. A study of 889 women in Durban, South Africa, has shown that a microbicide gel containing an antiretroviral drug can reduce the risk of contracting the virus that causes AIDS.

In light of the International AIDS Society conference being held in Vienna this week, many people have raised questions about the Obama Administration’s commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The amount of money spent on HIV/AIDS cannot be the measure of success. The right measures are lives saved and lengthened.

The Partnership Framework provides a five-year, joint strategic plan for cooperation by the Government of Vietnam, the U.S. Government, and other stakeholders to support a strategic and collaborative response to HIV, while supporting health services for people living with HIV/AIDS. In doing so, it also contributes to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) global goals for prevention, care, and treatment.

Since the first cases were reported in 1981, HIV ― the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ― has become one of the world’s most serious health and development challenges. More than 25 million people have died of AIDS, and another 33.4 million now live with HIV/AIDS.

A newly-released study in the July 21st issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) saved an estimated $323,343,256 from 2005 to 2008 through the use of generic antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). This significant cost savings contributed to PEPFAR’s ability to dramatically improve access to antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions. Through September 2009, PEPFAR directly supported treatment for more than 2.4 million adults and children.

From July 18 to 23, Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, will lead the U.S. delegation to the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria. The conference brings together an estimated 25,000 participants, including scientists, health care providers, political, community and business leaders, government, non-governmental and multilateral organization representatives, and people living with HIV/AIDS, to discuss efforts to stop HIV/AIDS.

The United States remains the leader in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, funding more than a quarter of the international financing for the disease.
President Obama has undertaken a comprehensive Global Health Initiative (GHI) to help partner countries improve the health of their people through an integrated approach that recognizes that PEPFAR is central to fulfilling Millennium Development Goals (MDGs 4,5,and 6)