|
Corporate Social Responsibility
News
10.12.2005 ET
|
CSR News from:
|
|
|
News Category:
|
|
Nationwide Strengthening of Hospital System in Tanzania Marks New Era in Fight Against Aids in Africa: The Abbott Fund and the Government of Tanzania Dedicate New Hospital Facilities to Meet Long-Term Needs of Patients with HIV/AIDS and Other Diseases
(CSRwire) DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - In a ceremony today, Abbott CEO Miles
White joined Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa in dedicating a
new state-of-the-art outpatient treatment center and clinical laboratories
at Muhimbili National Hospital. The new facilities will dramatically
improve the care of people with HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases,
benefiting up to 1,000 patients a day. The event marks a key milestone
for the nationwide Abbott Fund initiative, one of the most comprehensive
efforts in Africa to strengthen a country's health care system to meet the
lifelong treatment needs of people living with HIV.
"The dedication of these new hospital buildings symbolizes the sweeping
changes that we are implementing throughout the country's health care
system to address the AIDS epidemic and will further our goal of expanding
the national treatment program to reach more Tanzanians living with HIV,"
said President Mkapa. "Through our successful partnership with the Abbott
Fund, we are providing Tanzanian health professionals with resources and
tools to more effectively manage our health care system."
The U.S. $35 million Abbott Fund initiative is focused primarily on
improving Tanzania's health system to provide quality, lifelong care for
patients with HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Centered at Muhimbili
Hospital, work also is underway at 82 additional hospitals and rural
health centers across the country. Key areas of focus include modernizing
facilities, training staff, improving hospital and patient management, and
expanding capacity for testing and treatment. The Abbott Fund initiative
is part of a unique public-private partnership with the Government of
Tanzania. Axios, an organization specializing in health management in
developing countries, is serving as the implementing partner for the
initiative.
"With President Mkapa's leadership, our partnership has enabled doctors
and nurses in Tanzania to significantly enhance patient care," said Mr.
White. "By modernizing the facilities, improving hospital management, and
training staff, we are fundamentally expanding the country's capacity to
provide quality testing and treatment of HIV and other lifelong diseases.
We hope this partnership provides a model for other countries and donors to
follow in addressing the tremendous challenge of AIDS in Africa."
During the visit, President Mkapa and Mr. White heard from hospital
administrators, physicians and patients about the nationwide improvements
achieved through the Abbott Fund initiative, including:
Training more than 1,300 physicians, nurses and other health
professionals in HIV patient care, including testing, counseling and
treatment. These physicians now share their knowledge with others; for
example, at Muhimbili Hospital, 200 of these health professionals serve as
trainers for other physicians and staff;
Expanding voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) to more than
65,000 Tanzanians, including providing VCT for the first time in some
rural areas;
Improving the quality of care for patients with the opening of the
new three-story outpatient treatment center at Muhimbili Hospital. HIV
patients will now be treated in the same setting as other patients rather
than in a separate facility, reducing stigma associated with HIV/AIDS;
Renovating and equipping the laboratory facilities at Muhimbili
Hospital with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, providing accurate,
automated testing crucial for handling the long-term care and monitoring
of HIV, hepatitis and other chronic diseases;
Implementing sweeping changes in hospital management and "back
office" functions that are critical for quality care and sustainable
operations. For example, one of the most extensive hospital information
and technology systems in
East Africa was installed at Muhimbili Hospital, and more than 1,000 staff
were trained to use the computerized system to track information that
supports patient care;
Increasing hospital-generated revenue by more than 56 percent in two
years;
Assisting five hospitals (Arusha, Mara, Mwanza and Tabora regional
hospitals and Tukuyu district hospital) in achieving accreditation as
national HIV treatment centers, allowing sites to provide antiretroviral
treatment to patients through a variety of sources including PEPFAR and
the Global Fund;
Upgrading facilities, systems and training at 82 sites throughout the
country to improve VCT services and prepare for availability of
antiretroviral treatment programs, including building new testing and
counseling rooms to ensure patient privacy, renovating outpatient clinics
and laboratories, donating laboratory equipment and rapid tests, and
creating local hospital HIV management teams; and
Improving infection control in the Kibong'oto National Tuberculosis
Hospital by improving sanitation and infectious waste disposal.
"These new facilities and systems have already had a tremendous positive
impact on patients - from the moment people walk in for confidential HIV
testing and counseling, to the time they leave the pharmacy with their
medication. The new facilities also have decreased the stigma of AIDS;
patients are more willing to come forward for testing and treatment," said
Dr. Ferdinand Magusi, senior lecturer in internal medicine at Muhimbili
Hospital. "We also have seen the positive effect the improvements have
had on staff. Now my colleagues feel like they have the tools and setting
to provide quality care for patients."
"Through shared expertise, resources and commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS,
the Tanzanian government's partnership with the Abbott Fund is making a
significant difference in improving the lives of patients," said Hon. Anna
M. Abdallah, Tanzania's Minister of Health.
Tanzania's Aggressive Fight Against AIDS
Tanzania has taken an active role in addressing the AIDS crisis since
2000, when President Mkapa declared HIV/AIDS a national disaster, leading
to the establishment of the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS). In
2003, Tanzania's cabinet endorsed the National Care and Treatment Plan and
established an antiretroviral treatment program in October 2004. The
government also has made a significant commitment to expanding education
and prevention programs and to addressing the social impact of the
HIV/AIDS epidemic.
About Abbott and the Abbott Fund
Abbott and the Abbott Fund are investing $100 million over five years to
address HIV/AIDS in Africa and throughout the developing world. A
significant part of this commitment is in Tanzania. Since 2001, the
Abbott Fund has invested U.S. $35 million to modernize health care
systems, expand access to HIV testing and treatment, and assist orphans
and vulnerable children impacted by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.
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. Abbott
employs more than 60,000 people and markets its products in more than 130
countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the
company's Web site at www.abbott.com.
|
|
