21:40 09.11.2008 | All news from "AIDS/HIV"
Uganda: Country to Get Obama HIV/Aids Funding
Though details are yet to be worked out, Uganda has been one of the main recipients of American AIDS money.
Obama will not insist that part of the money be tied to programmes aimed at promoting virginity or faithfulness in marriage.
According to the five-page document posted on his campaign website www.barackobama.com he will support programmes that have been proved to prevent the spread of HIV, regardless of the ideology.
The money will also be used to give free treatment to more AIDS patients, care for orphans, train health workers and provide better hospital facilities.
Uganda is one of the 15 countries that have been receiving money under George Bush's President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which Obama has promised to strengthen and expand. Obama was one of the senators who strongly supported an extension of PEPFAR in July.
The PEPFAR communications officer at the US Kampala embassy, Lynne McDermott, told Saturday Vision that they do not expect any changes soon. What appears on Obama's campaign website is what he plans to do, which is subject to approval by the US Congress.
"In two months he will become President and then we will know what will happen. Until then, only his transition team can speak for his administration," she said. "But we are hopeful PEPFAR money will continue coming to Uganda."
Obama, who openly took an HIV test together with his wife during a visit to Kenya in 2006, believes freedom from fear of AIDS is as important as political freedom.
Former Secretary of State for African Affairs Susan rice, said by taking the test, Obama sent a message to the world that people living with HIV/AIDS deserve compassion and treatment and not stigmatisation.
"America, under President Obama, will play a crucial role in helping defeat the AIDS epidemic that afflicts an estimated 33 million human beings," she said in a statement posted on Obama's website.
Obama's AIDS plan is closely linked to a speech that he made in December 2006 following his visit to Kenya and South Africa. "We are all sick because of AIDS - and we are all tested by this crisis. Yes, there must be more money spent on this disease."
"Of course, given all the strains that have been placed on the US budget, and given the extraordinary needs that we face here at home, it may be hard to find the money. But I believe we must try. I believe it will prove to be a wise investment. The list of reasons for us to care about AIDS is long."
The news that Obama will focus on AIDS at the very start of his presidency has been greeted with happiness in Uganda.
Milly Katana, head of the international AIDS Alliance project in Uganda, said though President George Bush prioritised AIDS only towards the end of his first term, he has been able to achieve a lot through PEPFAR, which started in 2004.
Since Obama has started early, he is likely to achieve more. "We commend President Bush and hope Obama will follow in his footsteps and take it a step further."
James Kigozi, Uganda AIDS Commission Public Relations Officer, said if implemented, Obama's plan would provide major relief to the huge number of AIDS patients waiting for treatment.
"We have about 250,000 people in Uganda who need antiretroviral treatment but only half are getting it now. At the treatment centres the waiting list is long," he said.
He added that the original PEPFAR had some restrictions that some partners were complaining about.
The money could not be used for buying generic drugs, and one third of the money used in HIV prevention had to be spent on abstinence programmes. Without such restrictions, Kigozi said, will open up new opportunities.
However, Obama's cash is likely to come with tough controls. He is known to be strongly anti-corruption. During his visit to Kenya, he was not afraid to openly speak against corruption.
Excerpts from Obama's speech on AIDS made on World AIDS Day December 1, 2006
We are all sick because of AIDS - and we are all tested by this crisis. It is a test not only of our willingness to respond, but of our ability to look past the artificial divisions and debates that have often shaped that response. It's not a question of either treatment or prevention - or even what kind of prevention - it is all of the above. Yes, there must be more money spent on this disease. But there must also be a change in hearts and minds; in cultures and attitudes. First, if we hope to win this fight, we must stop new infections - we must do what we can to prevent people from contracting HIV in the first place.
|
http://allafrica.com/