U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator discusses lessons learned from U.S. response to HIV/AIDS worldwide

Jun 27 2012

U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby "discussed lessons learned from the U.S. response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic over the past decade at an event hosted by the Brookings Institute Monday morning," the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog reports. "While calling recent scientific advances in HIV prevention 'game changers' that have offered hope of an AIDS-free generation, [Goosby said] that the successful fight against the epidemic relies on recognizing AIDS-specific efforts so far as a foundation for further health gains, on country ownership, and on continuing to build 'the shared responsibility' of a multi-donor response," the blog adds. 

Goosby "highlighted the accomplishments of PEPFAR in the last 10 years saying that while a decade ago almost no one in Africa had access to lifesaving antiretroviral medicine, over 6.6 million people are getting lifesaving treatment thanks to PEPFAR and multilateral donors like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, with the U.S. directly supporting treatment for 3.9 million people worldwide," "Science Speaks" writes (Aziz, 6/25). "Goosby defended PEPFAR as a key ingredient for success in stemming the pandemic and making country health systems stronger overall," Devex states, adding, "Goosby also emphasized the need for greater country ownership in delivering health services" in order to achieve sustainability (Brookland, 6/26). According to GlobalPost's "Global Pulse" blog, Goosby "said that the Obama administration was on target for meeting goals for putting people on treatment, reducing the number of babies infected with HIV, and expanding male circumcisions -- but he acknowledged that the circumcision effort was tough going" (Donnelly, 6/25).