FHI Recognizes Outstanding Contributions to Increasing Access to HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment - July 15, 2004

Bangkok, Thailand — Family Health International (FHI) announced the winners of the 2004 Access Awards on July 14 at the XV International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Four awards were presented to organizations and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to increasing access to HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services.

The winners include Mr. K.K. Abraham, President of the Indian Network of Positive People; Father Gerard Habumugabe of Buyumba Catholic Diocese in Rwanda; the Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support Organization of Ethiopia; and the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The awardees were each presented a plaque by Dr. Peter Lamptey, President of FHI's Institute for HIV/AIDS, at a reception sponsored by FHI.

"We are thrilled to recognize these individuals and organizations that have made such important contributions to their communities and beyond in improving access to HIV care and treatment services," remarked Dr. Lamptey. "They serve as role models and inspire us all to do more."

Mr. Abraham, President of the Indian Network of Positive People (INP+)—the largest network of people living with HIV/AIDS in India—has been a dynamic and effective advocate for HIV prevention and treatment. Mr. Abraham's efforts through the INP+ have influenced the Indian government's decision to make antiretroviral (ARV) drugs available at no cost in six high prevalence states. In addition, the national government and a few state governments have waived the excise duty on drugs, and subsequent meetings with pharmaceutical companies have led to a substantial reduction in the price of drugs, including ARVs.

Father Gerard Habumugabe of Rwanda's Byumba Catholic Diocese has demonstrated exceptional leadership to increase youth participation in HIV/AIDS prevention and care activities. As a volunteer project director, he has organized programs for youth of all faiths in his diocese, one of nine Catholic dioceses in Rwanda. As of May 2004, the peer educator program had trained and reached more than 168,000 young people with messages that emphasize abstinence and fidelity. In addition, Father Gerard has expanded activities to include community-based support for people living with HIV/AIDS. More than 7,200 youth have participated in activities to support families affected by HIV/AIDS, including building simple houses, making home visits to provide emotional support, and collecting food, cash and used clothes for families to donate.

The Hiwot HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support Organization (HAPSCO) of Ethiopia is recognized for having enlisted idirs—community-based burial associations—to bring home-based care to thousands of people ill with AIDS and to provide care for orphans and vulnerable children in their communities. Idirs are common throughout Ethiopia and traditionally provide practical help during funerals and the seven-day mourning period. Recognizing the prominent position that idirs hold in Ethiopian communities, HAPSCO has joined forces with the associations to increase access to care and support for people affected by HIV/AIDS. According to Dr. Ashenafi Haile, the head of Addis Ababa HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office, "There is no other way you could reach so many people." More than 250 volunteers from 20 idirs have been trained so far and it is expected to become the country's largest home-based care program.

The Kingdom of Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense was selected because of its exceptional accomplishments reaching members of its military forces—a high risk group for contracting HIV/AIDS—with HIV prevention and care programs. The Ministry has worked closely with FHI to develop an HIV/STI peer education program that has reached about 87 percent of Cambodia's total military men in 19 of the country's 24 provinces. In addition, the HIV/AIDS unit of the Ministry of National Defense, with financial support from the Global Fund, has started to run a similar HIV/AIDS peer education program in the remaining five provinces to achieve nation-wide coverage. Within the last six months more than 190,000 HIV education contacts were made to military men through peer educators. Recently, the Department of Health at the Ministry of National Defense also began implementing care services for HIV/AIDS at a large military region in northwest Cambodia.

The FHI Access Awards recognize outstanding contributions in HIV prevention, care and treatment and coincide with the biennial International AIDS Conferences. Previous recipients include U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Dr. Paul De Lay, the Ghana Police Service, Kenya Girl Guides Association, Cambodia's Meatho Phum Ko'mah, and the Spiritia Foundation of Indonesia.

Family Health International is dedicated to improving lives, knowledge and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education and services in family health and HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment. Since its inception in 1971, FHI has formed partnerships with national governments and local communities throughout the developing world to support lasting improvements in the health of individuals and the effectiveness of entire health systems. FHI has a staff of 1200 and offices in 40 countries.

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Editors: For more information, please contact Lisa Hunter at lhunter@fhi.org or +1-703-516-9779.