FHI Leads US-Funded Team to Expand Access to HIV/AIDS and TB Treatment, Care and Prevention in Nigeria
Family Health International (FHI) will be among those leading the expansion of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis treatment, care and prevention programs in Nigeria.
Abuja, Nigeria (PRWEB via PR Web
Direct) December 3, 2004 -- On December 1st, World AIDS Day, the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Nigeria announced
that Family Health International (FHI) will be among those leading the expansion
of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis treatment, care and prevention programs in Nigeria.
The US$ 193 million, five-year award is part of the President's Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief and will be the largest comprehensive HIV/AIDS project ever
implemented in a developing country setting.
The Global HIV/AIDS
Initiative Nigeria (GHAIN) will support the Emergency Plan's goals to provide
life-saving antiretroviral treatment to more than 68,000 persons, provide HIV
care to more than 1,500,000 persons, including orphans and vulnerable children,
while preventing 800,000 new infections by 2009.
"While the statistics
are sobering, I am confident that together we will succeed in our efforts,
because of our strong, bilateral partnership in the fight against AIDS that we
are strengthening today," remarked US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell at
the launch ceremony attended by President Obasanjo of Nigeria, members of
government, traditional rulers, Muslim and Christian religious leaders, civil
society groups, people living with HIV/AIDS and others.
The project's
goals will be accomplished by rapidly strengthening and expanding a wide range
of services throughout six high prevalence states. The comprehensive program
will improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, their families
and communities, including orphans and vulnerable children, by providing HIV
clinical care, antiretroviral therapy, palliative care and home-based care
services to people in need.
Dr. Peter Lamptey, President of FHI's
Institute for HIV/AIDS, stated, "FHI is very proud to be a partner in this
historic effort. We are confident that together with the Government of Nigeria,
the US agencies, and our accomplished team of partners, we will succeed in
meeting the Emergency Plan goals for Nigeria to improve lives and bring
hope."
The FHI-managed GHAIN project includes team members from the
public and private sectors: the American National Red Cross/ Nigerian Red Cross
Society, the Axios Foundation, the Centre for Development and Population
Activities, the Futures Group, the German Leprosy and TB Relief Agency, and
Howard University. Other partners include the Christian Health Association of
Nigeria, and the Corporate Council on Africa, the International Labour
Organization, and the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria.
The project
activities will be developed with communities and other stakeholders. Services
for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, STI prevention and
treatment, and communication programs will further the goal of HIV prevention in
Nigeria. GHAIN will work closely with other U.S. Government implementing
partners, including the Institute of Human Virology/ University of
Maryland.
Nigeria—with a population of approximately 133 million—has one
of the most rapidly increasing rates of new HIV infections in West Africa. More
than 3.6 million adults and children are thought to be living with the virus. In
2003, 310,000 people in Nigeria died from AIDS-related
complications.
Family Health International is dedicated to improving
lives, knowledge and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified
program of research, education and services in family health and HIV/AIDS
prevention, care and treatment. Since its inception in 1971, FHI has formed
partnerships with national governments and local communities throughout the
developing world to support lasting improvements in the health of individuals
and the effectiveness of entire health systems. FHI has a staff of 1,400 and
offices in 38 countries.
For more information, please
contact:
Lisa Hunter, External Relations Officer
Tel:
+1-703-516-9779
e-mail protected from spam bots
Dr. James Ross,
FHI/GHAIN Chief of Party
Tel: +234-9-413-1811
e-mail protected from spam
bots
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/12/prweb185485.htm