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Mortality Rate for Romanian Children With HIV in Constanta Drops Significantly; Hundreds Receive Care and Treatment at Children's Center
Mortality Rate for Romanian Children With HIV in Constanta Drops Significantly; Hundreds Receive Care and Treatment at Children's Center
Published 04-08-04
Submitted by Abbott
Gathering today in Constanta are Dr. Mark Kline, director of Baylor's International Pediatric AIDS Initiative; Dr. Rodica Matusa, director of the Romanian-American Children's Center; directors of Pediatric AIDS Centers in Botswana and Mexico; Michael Guest, U.S. ambassador to Romania; Dr. Camelia Ciobotaru, director of the public health authority for Constanta county; Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer of Abbott Laboratories; local dignitaries; pediatric HIV/AIDS specialists; and public health professionals. They will dedicate the renovated children's ward at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, recognize results achieved and discuss lessons learned from the Romanian-American Children's Center.
"In just three years, the Center has decreased the mortality rate of children living with HIV/AIDS in Constanta from 15 percent to 3 percent, proving that it is possible to provide first-rate pediatric care and treatment in a resource-limited setting,'' said Dr. Mark Kline, director of Baylor's International Pediatric AIDS Initiative. "The average CD4 count, which indicates the health of a patient's immune system, has increased significantly, and children who were near death a few years ago are now leading active lives. While many challenges remain, we are confident the success of the Romanian center can be replicated. The Center provides high-quality medical services, acts as a stigma-free meeting place for children with HIV/AIDS and is the headquarters for psychosocial and home-based services.
Impact on Pediatric HIV/AIDS
In addition to the Center, with the Step Forward program's support, the following has been achieved since 2001:
Replicating the Model
The Romanian-American Children's Center is the first of Baylor's four-clinic pediatric HIV/AIDS network. Dr. Kline has brought together the directors from Baylor clinics in Botswana and Mexico to meet counterparts in Constanta for a weeklong workshop to share key learnings and to discuss plans for expansion.
"The greatest result anyone could ask for has been achieved: the lives of children have been transformed," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer of Abbott Laboratories. "Children with HIV/AIDS are not only surviving but also thriving. Children living with HIV in Romania are now thinking about the future in new ways. Beyond surviving the next few months, they are thinking about college and what they want to be when they grow up. This model, developed in Romania, needs to be replicated around the world so that thousands of other children can benefit and have hope for the future."
In addition to providing funding for the Center and related programs, Abbott is donating its HIV/AIDS protease inhibitors to treat up to 500 children for life.
Improving HIV/AIDS Care
"Initiatives like the Romanian-American Children's Center are paving the way toward a broader understanding of how public and private officials can cooperate to improve the lives of Romanian citizens," Ambassador Guest said. "The Center clearly raises the standard of care for Romanian children with HIV/AIDS and a range of stakeholders -- healthcare officials, doctors, pharmaceutical representatives, NGOs and patients -- must continue this progress and find the best solutions for Romania."
"We attribute the success of the Romanian center to a variety of factors, including a trained staff, highly motivated children and caregivers, a careful attention to factors influencing medication adherence, and a commitment to truly comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and treatment," said Dr. Rodica Matusa, director, Romanian-American Children's Center.
Establishing additional centers and sharing best practices with other medical institutions will be key to demystifying the care and treatment of HIV-positive children in resource-constrained settings and to enhancing access to modern HIV/AIDS therapies. Under Dr. Kline's leadership, Baylor is establishing the Children's Clinical Centers of Excellence Network to build essential infrastructure and capacity and to promote acquisition of knowledge that will enhance HIV/AIDS care and treatment globally.
The mission of the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative is to promote health for all people through education, research and public service. Our mission is pursued by providing comprehensive medical and social services to HIV-positive and HIV-exposed infants and children, by sustaining excellence in educating U.S. and foreign health professionals, and by advancing clinical research. Our mission currently encompasses programs in Houston, Romania, Mexico and Southern Africa. For more information, please visit www.bayloraids.org.
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About Abbott and the Abbott Fund
The Abbott Fund is a philanthropic foundation established by Abbott in 1951. The Abbott Fund's mission is to create healthier global communities by investing in creative ideas that promote science, expand access to health care and strengthen communities worldwide. For more information, visit www.abbottfund.org.
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 nearly 90,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's website at www.abbott.com.
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