AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, which currently cares for over 49,000 AIDS patients in Uganda through its Uganda CARES network of eleven treatment clinics throughout the country, today lauded the United States government for increasing its funding commitment in Uganda for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the United States' respected global AIDS program. Earlier this year, funding shortfalls in PEPFAR and other global AIDS treatment funders forced Ugandan officials to institute a cap on the total number of treatment slots available to Ugandan AIDS patients awaiting treatment. Late last week Jerry P. Lanier, the US Ambassador to Uganda, announced that more US funding would be made available to allow the enrollment of 72,000 additional Ugandan AIDS patients in programs providing lifesaving antiretroviral treatment. The funding allows for the enrollment of 36,000 patients this year and an additional 36,000 patients in 2011.
“This means that by 2012, the American people plan to directly support more than 250,000 Ugandans on ARVs.”
According to a September 3, 2010 article in Uganda's 'New Vision' newspaper, Lanier noted, "This means that by 2012, the American people plan to directly support more than 250,000 Ugandans on ARVs." The article also noted "…the new funds would immediately go to purchase a shipment of ARVs for the National Medical Stores and Joint Medical Stores. This will enable them to quickly distribute the drugs to Government and non-profit clinics and hospitals to bridge the gap until Global Fund drugs arrive. PEPFAR is currently funding more than 70% of the entire response to HIV and AIDS in Uganda. The development is a great relief to Ugandan patients, many of whom have been kept on the waiting list at HIV/AIDS clinics due to shortage of antiretroviral drugs."
"The Ugandan Ministry of Health's Quarterly Report for the first quarter of 2010 indicates that there are currently 218,359 active patients on antiretroviral treatment. Bringing an additional 72,000 patients on to treatment, as this additional PEPFAR funding now allows, is indeed very welcome news for Uganda, and we thank Ambassador Lanier and the US government for recognizing the urgency and importance of lifesaving antiretroviral treatment," said Dr. Penninah 'Penny' Iutung, AHF East/West Africa Bureau Chief. "However, the number of patients estimated to be in need of antiretroviral treatment at a CD4 count of less than 250 — per Ministry of Health guidelines — stands at over 442,000 patients, so there is still a big gap that needs to be filled for antiretroviral treatment."
"Even though this funding falls short of the total need, this is truly great news from the United States," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "I can only hope that other countries step up and help to the same extent, and that the Government of Uganda works to deliver treatment in the most cost-efficient manner so that as many people as possible can be treated with the resources available."
In a corresponding opinion piece published in Uganda's 'Monitor' newspaper (September 7, 2010 opinion article) Ambassador Lanier stated, "The gap between supply and demand means many Ugandans are unable to get life-saving ARVs when they need them. The need for ARVs is immediate; and this crisis requires both short-term and long-term solutions." He added, "To be successful, this programme also requires a greater partnership with — and engagement by — the Government of Uganda…. I am optimistic about Uganda's potential to address its long-term needs in the fight against HIV/AIDS. I am grateful to our partners in Uganda for once again reaffirming that optimism and look forward to continued and increased engagement by the Government of Uganda on HIV and AIDS programmes."
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