Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - December 2, 2003
Thompson, who chairs the Geneva-based Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said the funds would be used to support programs in numerous government departments aimed at preventing sexually transmitted infections and improving care for HIV patients and their families.
Zambia's plans include peer education programs to help spread the word about HIV, Thompson said. Funds would also be used to strengthen efforts to control HIV in the national defense force and to expand school-based initiatives.
"I am impressed with the commitment shown by the people of Zambia in the fight against HIV/AIDS," Thompson said.
Thompson, who observed World AIDS Day on Monday in this resort town, is on a four-nation African tour to assess existing projects and determine what needs to be done to fight HIV/AIDS.
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 26.6 million of the between 34 million and 46 million people worldwide living with HIV, according to U.N. figures. An estimated 22% of Zambian adults are infected with the disease.
U.S. President George W. Bush has recently pledged $15 billion in funding over five years to fight HIV/AIDS.
On Monday, Thompson signed an agreement pledging $2.5 million in assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for HIV prevention, monitoring and care in Zambia.
On Tuesday, he toured Maramba Clinic, which is leading the way here in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The facility has volunteers in every community, who help identify women at risk and encourage them to get counseling and testing.
World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Lee Jong-Wook accompanied Thompson on the tour, praising the efforts of three youths running an HIV education stand at the clinic. The three were startled to learn his identity after demonstrating for him the use of a condom.
Thompson, who is accompanied by top U.S. health officials, lawmakers and business leaders, continues to Rwanda on Tuesday. He will also be making stops in Kenya and Uganda.
Also along is Richard Holbrooke, president of the Global Business Coalition for HIV/AIDS, which is working to encourage companies to contribute to the fight against the disease among their employees in Africa and other developing nations.
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