| | U.S. Government Support for Global Health Efforts
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The U.S. government continues to lay the groundwork for efforts under the U.S. Global Health Initiative (GHI), announcing the first round of "GHI Plus" countries, as well as the program's governance structure. GHI is a six-year, $63 billion initiative to help partner countries improve measurable health outcomes by strengthening health systems and building upon proven results. It places a particular focus on improving the health of women, newborns and children. Pursuing a comprehensive approach, GHI includes programs addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, nutrition, family planning and reproductive health, and neglected tropical diseases. These U.S. global health investments are an important component of our national security "smart power" strategy, critical to national security as well as our common security.
GHI activities are being implemented in the more than 80 countries where U.S. government global health dollars are already at work. Under GHI, the U.S. government will coordinate with partner country governments to ensure that investments align with national priorities and build capacity. Eight countries have been selected as the first set of "GHI Plus" countries. They are: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, and Rwanda. These countries will receive additional technical and management resources to quickly implement GHI's approach, including integrated programs and investments across the spectrum of infectious diseases, maternal and child health, family planning, and health systems activities. GHI Plus countries will provide enhanced opportunities to build upon existing public health programs; improve program performance; and work in close collaboration with partner governments, across U.S. government agencies, and with global partners. [More]
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Ambassador Goosby Blog: U.S. Commitment to Saving Lives in the Developing World
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Over the last two weeks, I've had the opportunity to visit programs supported by the United States through PEPFAR in three African countries -- Tanzania, Mali, and Nigeria.
I have visited multiple PEPFAR-supported economic empowerment groups and groups of people living with HIV. The common denominator was this: from the bottom of their hearts, people thanked the American people for our support and noted that if we stopped, they do not know what they would do.
They remember how different things were just a few years ago, when there was little hope and hospitals were overcrowded with people dying from AIDS. And they get that the U.S. has been at the forefront of this transformation.
In public discussion of PEPFAR, it is important to accurately reflect the impact the U.S. is making -- and has committed to continue to make. If people are given a misleading impression that our investments are not saving lives, they may be tempted to give up on this effort. That would be a tragedy.
The United States is committed to saving lives in the developing world. The Obama Administration believes that it is in keeping with America's values and in service of the security of our nation and our common security to take the lead in helping to save lives and relieve suffering, especially among the world's poorest people. [More]
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PEPFAR Launches Increased Commitment to Scale Up Gender-Based Violence Approaches
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Recognizing the link between gender-based violence (GBV) and global HIV/AIDS, the United States, through PEPFAR, has committed an additional $30 million to support three partner countries - Tanzania, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo - in scaling up GBV prevention and response efforts. This commitment is part of PEPFAR's broader gender response and reflects the Administration's increased focus on gender outlined in the Global Health Initiative.
Gender-based violence is a world-wide pandemic that poses significant health and human rights concerns to vulnerable populations. GBV directly fosters the spread of HIV/AIDS, and limits women and girls' ability to negotiate sexual practices, to disclose HIV status, and to access services due to fear of GBV. PEPFAR's increased GBV response will build upon the existing platforms in these three countries and their experience with GBV and HIV activities to increase the reach, coordination, and efficacy of GBV programs in these nations. [More]
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