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United States' President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR )
The collaborative efforts of the Governments of the United States of America and of Trinidad and Tobago to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in T&T saw a major milestone on June 30th, 2010 via the signing of the U.S.-Caribbean HIV/AIDS Partnership Framework document.
The signing, part of the United States' President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program (also known as PEPFAR), was an important step forward in combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS in this region.
United States Ambassador, Beatrice Welters, expressed pleasure at the participation and activism of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in this effort.
PEPFAR represents a global commitment first launched in 2003 to reduce the incidence and limit the spread of HIV/AIDS while assisting those who have contracted the disease. Worldwide to date, as a result of PEPFAR, over 2 million HIV-infected persons have been treated, over 10 million have been provided care, and 7 million new infections have been prevented. PEPFAR represents the largest commitment in history made by a nation to a single disease.
Planning for the Caribbean Regional Partnership five-year strategy began in 2009. countries now include Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Participating Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and, of course, Trinidad and Tobago. The OECS and the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) participate as regional partners.
The PEPFAR partnership agreement between the United States Embassy and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago extends for five years. The proposed budget for the first year has been estimated at two million, sixty two thousand, two hundred and eighty nine United States dollars (US$ 2,062,289.00). Funding for subsequent years would reportedly be based on a satisfactory biannual evaluation and report and approval by US Congress for release of funds.
The Formalization of the PEPFAR agreement was hailed as an important step forward
in combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS in this region.
L-R: Chief Medical Officer - Dr. Anton Cumberbatch,
Minister of Health - Therese Baptiste-Cornelis,
United States Ambassador - Beatrice Welters and
Permanent Secretary - Sandra P. Jones
Minister of Health - Senator the Honourable Therese Baptiste-Cornelis and
United States Ambassador Beatrice Welters
Health Minister Baptiste-Cornelis signs the PEPFAR agreement
US Ambassador Beatrice Welters and
Minister of Health, Senator the Honourable Therese Baptiste-Cornelis
congratulate each other on the landmark agreement
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