GLOBAL: US AIDS Program Undaunted by Recession, Head Says

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

GLOBAL: US AIDS Program Undaunted by Recession, Head Says

Associated Press (11.18.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009
Donna Bryson

The global recession is a concern but does not threaten the Obama administration's commitment to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), US officials said Wednesday. Both the president and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have assured that PEPFAR remains one of "the highest priorities," said Eric Goosby, who heads PEPFAR at the State Department.

In South Africa, PEPFAR's budget will actually be increased from $550 million this fiscal year to $560 million in FY 2010- 11, said Mary Fanning, head of health programs at the US Embassy in Pretoria. The United States is getting prepared to help South Africa's new government achieve its goal of offering antiretroviral (ARV) therapy to 80 percent of patients in need by 2011, she said.

The US government is enjoying a new era of cooperation with South Africa, which earlier this year elected President Jacob Zuma, said Goosby. Zuma and his health minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, have bluntly rejected the policies of South Africa's previous government. Former President Thabo Mbeki publicly doubted that HIV causes AIDS, while his health minister endorsed nutritional supplements instead of ARVs as treatment. Next year, 5 percent of PEPFAR's budget for the country will be left for the new government to allocate as it sees fit - an unprecedented move, Fanning said.

"We are very gratified to be able to partner with the Zuma administration in a much more robust manner," Goosby said.
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