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Corporate Social Responsibility
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11.23.2004 ET
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United States Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson Applauds Effective Public-Private Partnership Advancing in HIV/AIDS Care in Tanzania
(CSRwire) DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA - Today Abbott welcomed United States
Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson to Muhimbili
National Hospital in Dar es Salaam where the Secretary saw first-hand a
view of the comprehensive health care management and infrastructure
improvements that are being undertaken through a public-private
partnership between the Government of Tanzania and the Abbott Fund, a
philanthropic organization established by Abbott.
"Under President Bush's leadership, the United States is investing
unprecedented time, energy and resources to the fight against AIDS," said
Secretary Thompson. "But this crisis is far too great for any one
government to solve, and we need the help of the American business
community. I applaud Abbott for their innovative partnership with the
Government of Tanzania that is helping to provide modern hospitals and
labs, trained doctors and nurses, and effective health care administration
to the people of Africa."
Abbott and the Government of Tanzania have worked together to fight
HIV/AIDS since 2000, when Abbott's Step Forward program was
launched to assist orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in
Tanzania. Since then, their partnership expanded with the introduction of
the Tanzania Care program in 2002.
Tanzania Care is a multiyear initiative that is focused on
modernizing health care facilities and systems, and improving services and
access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS throughout Tanzania. To
date, Abbott and the Abbott Fund have invested more than $16 million in
Tanzania Care. Axios, an organization dedicated to improving
health care in developing countries, is serving as the implementing
partner for Tanzania Care.
"Secretary Thompson has been a tireless advocate for public-private
partnerships in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and we're especially pleased
that he is visiting the Tanzania Care program today," said Cathy
Babington, president of the Abbott Fund. "Working in close partnership
with the Government of Tanzania, in two short years we have implemented a
targeted and effective approach that has already resulted in greater
access to testing and counseling for patients, as well as training for
health care professionals."
Key components and results to date of the Tanzania Care program
include:
Building a modern, three-story outpatient treatment center at
Muhimbili National Hospital. The new building will house 26 patient
examination rooms, a pharmacy and a training facility for health care
professionals. When the building opens in the first half of 2005, more
than 500 patients are expected to receive services each day.
Renovating and equipping a state-of-the-art hospital laboratory and
training laboratory technicians. The new laboratory at Muhimbili Hospital
will be fully automated, resulting in increased speed and capacity of
testing for HIV, hepatitis, cholesterol, glucose and many other
diseases.
Training staff in HIV care and treatment. To date, more than 250
physicians, nurses and support staff have been trained on the latest
approaches to HIV care.
Strengthening health care management, administration and systems.
Information technology, hospital administration, waste management,
security and many other functions are being upgraded within Muhimbili
Hospital.
Increasing access to HIV testing throughout Tanzania. Voluntary
counseling and testing (VCT) services are being introduced at 77 locations
ranging from regional hospitals to dispensaries in remote areas; key
activities include upgrading facilities, providing HIV testing kits, and
training staff on appropriate counseling and testing.
An estimated 1.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.
Like many countries in Africa, Tanzania is facing a significant challenge
in responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Health care institutions
throughout Tanzania have been especially strained by this crisis, with
access to basic health services, HIV counseling and treatment nearly
unattainable due to a shortage of specialized staff, scarce resources, and
inadequate infrastructure and facilities. The Tanzanian government has
exhibited a strong commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS and is
currently launching a HIV/AIDS treatment program.
"The modernization of Muhimbili National Hospital and health centers
throughout the country will allow us to provide better care for Tanzanians
living with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses," said Ms. Anna M.
Abdallah, Tanzania's Minister of Health. "Through shared expertise,
resources and commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS, the Government's
partnership with Abbott is already making a difference."
About HHS
The department of Health and Human Services is pursuing the fight against
HIV/AIDS on several fronts. For more information or to learn more about
HIV/AIDS testing and research, visit www.AIDSinfo.nih.gov.
About Abbott
Through Abbott's Global Care Initiatives, Abbott and the Abbott Fund are
working to fight HIV/AIDS in the developing world, where the pandemic has
hit the hardest and where the need for assistance is greatest. While
Tanzania Care addresses the infrastructure issue directly,
Abbott Access to HIV Care provides broadened access to Abbott's HIV
tests and therapies in 69 countries, including all of Africa. Abbott's
Determine HIV Testing Donation Program is donating rapid HIV tests
free of charge to qualified programs working to prevent mother-to-child
transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. In addition, the Step Forward program
provides support to programs serving orphans and vulnerable children in
Burkina Faso, India, Romania and Tanzania.
Abbott has been a leader in HIV/AIDS research since the early years of the
epidemic. In 1985, the company developed the first licensed test to detect
HIV antibodies in the blood and remains a leader in HIV diagnostics.
Abbott retroviral and hepatitis tests are used to screen more than half of
the world's donated blood supply. Abbott also has developed two protease
inhibitors for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the
discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and
medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The
company employs more than 55,000 people and markets its products in more
than 130 countries.
For more information on the Tanzania Care program, visit www.tanzaniacare.org. Abbott's
news releases and other information are available on the company's Web
site at www.abbott.com.
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