Fikremariam Tesefaye
30 January 2008
Addis Ababa — Cognizant of the direct link that exists between sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, PSI-Ethiopia, on Monday launched a new pre- packaged treatment kit for the management of sexually transmitted infection (STI).
More than 60, 000 of these kits were donated for pilot projects to be conducted in as part of the efforts to coin combating the pandemic.
On Monday PSI organized a launching ceremony at Global Hotel under the theme of Addis cure is a complete management for sexually transmitted infections in a single kit, said Meskerem Abera, Brand Coordinator at PSI/Ethiopia during the launching ceremony at the Global Hotel.
"This new project responds to the strong evidence that sexually transmitted infections may enhance both the transmission and acquisition of HIV infection that improved control may slowdown HIV transmission," she added.
Ethiopia has a rate of HIV at 2.1% of the general population, and sexually transmitted infections are believed to be high among vulnerable groups that include young men and women, commercial sex workers, and mobile groups including migrant workers, truckers and soldiers.
Sexually transmitted infections have traditionally been neglected, but are known to play an important role in preventing the spread of HIV.
The new kits will be marketed at an affordable price and only on medical prescription in pharmacies, Meskerem said.
She said the kits are designed to be prescribed by doctors and nurses trained in the world Health Organization and Federal Ministry of Health.
Meskerem added that the kits which cost PSI a sum of two million birr are specially designed for vulnerable groups at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
Apart from antibiotics to treat Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, the kit contains condoms and educational components that promote HIV counseling and testing, and the referral of partners.
"When included as part of a comprehensive training and communication program for medical providers, Addis Cure is a complete management in a single kit," said Meskerem.
AddisCure is produced in Ethiopia by PSI/Ethiopia in collaboration with the center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC-Ethiopia) - through funding from the President's Emergency plan for AIDS Relief (PEEFAR), the Ethiopian Public Health Association, the Addis Ababa Administration Health Bureau, and the Federal HIV/AIDS prevention and control office to enhance the application of effective treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
PSI/Ethiopia is the local affiliate of PSI, the world's leading non-profit social marketing organizations, which operates in more than 60 countries around the world acting as a bridge between the public and private sectors, and create a demand for essential health products and services by using private sector marketing techniques and innovative communication campaigns to motivate positive and sustained changes in health behavior.
Similar projects have been launched in Cameroon, Uganda, Madagascar, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Benin and Togo.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The Daily Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
