AIDS-free Generation Cannot Be Achieved Without Improved HIV Treatment For Children
Statement from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Regarding the Launch of the Accelerating Children's HIV/AIDS Treatment Initiative
Washington, D.C.- Aug. 6, 2014 - The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) welcomes
today's launch of the Accelerating Children's HIV/AIDS Treatment (ACT) initiative, which was announced during
the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. The
new partnership between the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is a critical step toward
ending AIDS in children.
ACT is an ambitious $200 million initiative to double the number of children receiving lifesaving antiretroviral therapy (ART)
across 10 priority African countries over the next two years. This new initiative will enable 300,000 more children to receive ART.
"We cannot continue to conduct business as usual if we want to end the AIDS epidemic," said Charles Lyons, EGPAF president
and CEO. "We must invest in new pediatric diagnostic tools and antiretroviral formulations for the 3.2 million children who are
currently living with HIV. Children can't be treated as miniature adults-they require medicines, care, and support that are
age-appropriate and effective for their specific needs."
Children have been left behind in the global effort to scale up treatment for HIV/AIDS,
with only one quarter of children living with HIV able to access ART . This
partnership takes a major step forward in narrowing that gap. And the need to improve access is urgent- without treatment half of all
HIV-infected children die before their second birthday.
"We hope that when African leaders return home, this new investment in pediatrics will help countries continue to build
strong health systems with the needs of HIV-positive children and their families in mind. We must support effective local leadership to
ensure a viable and efficient health system that not only eliminates pediatric AIDS, but also improves the overall health of women,
children, and their families. An AIDS-free generation cannot be achieved and sustained without this crucial component," said Lyons.
Today's announcement reaffirms the longstanding commitment of the U.S. government and its partners to deepen ties
between the United States and Africa and continue to invest in the continent's future. Investing in Africa's health will also
accelerate its economic development, education outcomes, and efforts to improve safety and security. At EGPAF, we will
continue to support these efforts until no child has AIDS.
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About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
EGPAF is the global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV/ AIDS and has reached 20 million women with services to prevent transmission
of HIV to their babies. It currently supports more than 7,000 health facilities and works in 15 countries to implement prevention,
care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute global advocacy activities that bring
dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide. For more information,
visit www.pedaids.org.
Media Contact: Johanna Harvey: jharvey@pedaids.org or +1 (202) 280-1657
SOURCE: ELIZABETH GLASER PEDIATRICS AIDS FOUNDATION
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