Africa: Health Delegation in Washington Advances Pepfar and Partnerships

Whitaker Group
The delegation on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.
19 March 2008
The Whitaker Group (Washington, DC)
press release

Washington, DC — A delegation of senior health officials from nine African nations visited Washington last week, advocating personally for PEPFAR’s reauthorization and expansion, as well as stronger partnerships with diverse stakeholders to bolster the region’s healthcare systems.    The delegation of leaders, on the front-line of Africa’s battle against HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases, was hosted by The Whitaker Group.

The delegation’s meetings with US Senators and leaders in the House of Representatives, helped to win a Senate committee’s approval of an expanded PEPFAR from $15 billion to $50 billion over a five-year period.   Senators John Kerry and Tom Coburn, as well as Representatives Donald Payne, Chris Smith and Ed Royce, had earlier assured the delegation of their strong support.   The Senate vote on Thursday was received with enthusiastic applause from the delegation, who had met with diverse stakeholders during the week to rally support and help guide PEPFAR’s transition from an emergency initiative to a sustainable and permanent program.

During a Capital Hill reception on Wednesday, co-hosted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA), Bono’s ONE Campaign, the African-American Unity Caucus and the Whitaker Group, the delegation presented an award to Tomicah Tillemann, grandson of the late Tom Lantos, chair of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee who died weeks ago.   Lantos, the only survivor of the Holocaust ever elected to the US Congress, was the architect and chief advocate of the legislative initiative to more than triple PEPFAR’s funding.   The PEPFAR bill, now moving through Congress for full passage, bears Lantos name as a tribute to his leadership.   The reception was attended by Congressman Payne, chair of the US House Committee on Africa and Global Health, Ambassador Jendayi Frazer, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, ten African Ambassador and over 100 stakeholders.

The delegation received assurances of stronger partnership commitments from US NGO, philanthropic foundation, World Bank/IFC and industry leaders during meetings throughout the week.

The 15 delegation members from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia committed to continuing this engagement and advocacy, which is already transforming the way Washington consults and partners with African nations on health issues.

Moving beyond PEPFAR, the delegates pressed for stronger partnerships in and stakeholder coordination in health systems development, human resource capacity-building, greater access to medicine and support for their work against counterfeit and unsafe drugs.

Recognizing the disproportionate and devastating impact of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases in Africa, the delegation spoke for the many voiceless women, men and children who are dying or struggling with the burden of illness.

Delegation members include:

•     Dr. David Kihumuro-Apuuli, Director General, Uganda AIDS Commission;

•     Dr. Elias   Sory, Director General, Ghana Health Services;

•     Dr. Kesete Birhane, Leader of the Public-Private Partnership Team, the Ethiopia Ministry of Health;

•     Dr. Edem Adzogenu, Senior Adviser, Ghana Ministry of Health;

•     Dr. Mboi E. Misati, Senior Patent Examiner, Kenya Industrial Property Institute, Ministry of Trade and Industry;

•     Mr. Stephen Muchiri, Head Economist, Kenya Ministry of Health;

•     Ms. Masoko Nts’ekhe, Chief Pharmacist, Lesotho Ministry of Health;

•     Dr. Anita Asiimwe, Director of Treatment and Research, Rwanda AIDS Center in the Ministry of Health;

•     Dr. Zachery Berege, Director of Hospital Services, Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social Welfare;

•     Mr. Wilson Mukama, Permanent Secretary, Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social Welfare;

•     Dr. Steven Shongwe, Executive Secretary, ECSA Health Community;

•     Dr. Nathan Kenya-Mugisha, Director, Clinical and Community Health Services, Uganda Ministry of Health;

•     Mr. Solomon Kagulula, Principal Planning and Health Economist, World Health Organization’s Zambia Country Office;

•     Mr. Davies Chimfwembe, Director of Planning and Development,   Zambia Ministry of Health;

•     Dr. Simon K. Miti, Permanent Secretary, Zambia Ministry of Health.

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