US Health & Human Services Secretary, Global Health Council president laud GHESKIO for pioneering work and life-saving response after devastating earthquake
GHESKIO, an institution in Haiti founded nearly three decades ago to fight a mysterious killer disease later identified as AIDS, has been awarded the prestigious 2010 Gates Award for Global Health for its years of ground-breaking clinical service, research, and training to treat effectively and prevent the spread of the HIV/AIDS and other related illnesses, the Global Health Council announced today.
GHESKIO - it stands for Groupe Ha-tien d'-tude du Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infectieuses Opportunistes - becomes the 10th winner of the annual Gates award, and judges not only lauded the group for its impact from a long record of work but also for its life-saving and swift response to treat the sick and injured in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti. Among the vast swath of damage was GHESKIO's own headquarters in Port-au-Prince, and yet it opened its doors to several thousand suddenly homeless people, and then opened a field hospital.
The group, led by Dr. Jean William (Bill) Pape, a Haitian native who has been one of the leading clinicians since the early days of the epidemic, has been able to achieve AIDS patient survival rates and treatment adherence with patients that rival those of the most advanced hospitals and clinics in the United States and Europe. In addition, its research has informed the treatment and care of AIDS patients worldwide.
"GHESKIO won this award because of the remarkable impact that Dr. Bill Pape and his colleagues have had in saving lives and strengthening the health system in Haiti," said Global Health Council President and CEO Jeffrey L. Sturchio. "They have built GHESKIO into a rare institution - one based in a developing country that has become a leader in the global research community. That dual character - world-class research capabilities tied to deep roots in the local community - is what sets GHESKIO apart and makes them the natural recipient of this recognition.''
Pape expressed great joy with the selection of GHESKIO, and he cited the long-term commitment of people in the organization.
"For almost 30 years GHESKIO has tirelessly served those most in need in Haiti and translated its metric-based outcomes into effective policy for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and associated diseases such as tuberculosis into models for the developing world,'' said Pape, who also is professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
He added, "I could not be more proud of our Haitian staff who have worked diligently before, during and after the January 12 earthquake to meet the multiple needs of the population. They are the ones who, with our partners, have earned this recognition, which honors our country, Haiti.''
U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius joined Sturchio in making the announcement of the award at a World Health Assembly symposium. The Global Health Council has managed the award since its inception 10 years ago.
"No organization deserves this recognition more than GHESKIO. It has been a pioneer in developing comprehensive HIV/AIDS research, training and services in Haiti," Sebelius said. "And in the immediate aftermath of the January earthquake, GHESKIO responded by opening its doors, mobilizing its staff, and working side-by-side with U.S. medical and surgical teams to provide relief to the people of Port-au-Prince."
GHESKIO will receive $1 million as part of the award, which was established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to recognize organizations that have made outstanding contributions to improving health, especially in resource-poor settings. The winner was chosen by a jury of international health leaders from 179 nominations received from around the world: http://tinyurl.com/gatesghc10. GHESKIO now joins the other nine winners of the Gates Award: http://tinyurl.com/gatesghcall.
Just 24 hours after the January 12 earthquake, GHESKIO's downtown Port-au-Prince staff had begun establishing a first-response trauma center, which has since evolved into a major source of care for the injured. Roughly 7,000 Port-au-Prince residents, homeless because of the earthquake, moved onto GHESKIO's campus. Within a week of the earthquake, GHESKIO was able to ensure that 95 percent of those under care of HIV and tuberculosis were returned to their life-saving medications and care despite the destruction.
Prior to the earthquake, the GHESKIO network was providing palliative care to over 50,000 HIV-infected patients and antiretroviral therapy to over 13,500 - roughly 55 percent of all patients on AIDS treatment in Haiti. In 2009, GHESKIO tested over 500,000 patients in each department of Haiti for HIV, providing prevention counseling and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases for those who are negative, and treatment for those who are positive.
Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, said that Pape is known globally for his long service in fighting the AIDS epidemic, and also for his multiple roles in battling the disease.