Health GAP wecomes new Global AIDS Coordinator

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Press Release: Health GAP welcomes Dr. Goosby as Global AIDS Ambassador

The US Global AIDS Plan

June 21, 2009

Contact: Matthew Kavanagh, + 202-486-2488 or matthew@healthgap.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HEALTH GAP WELCOMES DR. ERIC GOOSBY AS U.S. GLOBAL AIDS AMBASSADOR
With Most People With HIV Still Dying Without Access to Treatment, and the Economic Crisis Threatening Progress, Bold Leadership is Needed

Washington, DC: Health GAP is happy to congratulate Dr. Eric Goosby on his confirmation to the position of Ambassador and United States Global AIDS Coordinator. Ambassador Goosby will now have the responsibility of implementing the $48 billion US Global AIDS Initiative reauthorized by Congress last year and bringing the many improvements included in that reauthorization to fruition.

While significant progress has been made, AIDS is still the biggest cause of needless death in Africa--33 million people are living with HIV around the world and only one third of those in immediate need of HIV treatment have access to it. Heath GAP looks forward to working with Ambassador Goosby to ensure that US funding expands to reach the levels promised by congress and that it is used more effectively.

“Millions are alive today because of US support for bilateral AIDS programs as well as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria,” said Siham Elhamoumi, Health GAP steering committee member and Coordinator of the Vermont Global Health Coalition. “Nonetheless US funding could save many more if Dr. Goosby uses his post to promote more and better low-cost generic drugs, gets rid of ideological funding on prevention programs, and crafts a plan to increase the number of doctors and nurses in Africa.”

“We hope that Dr. Goosby—who has worked around the world, will help the US administration shift to a more engaged multilateralism—and especially full support for the Global Fund and its revolutionary approach to effective, accountable development,” said Jacqui Patterson, Health GAP board Co-Chair and Coordinator of Women of Color United. The Global Fund is currently facing a $4 to $5 billion gap in the coming year due to the US and other donors failing to scale up their contributions as promised.

Dr. Eric Goosby has been working on AIDS issues for more than 25 years. He has treated patients living with HIV, implemented treatment programs on a national scale in the poorest parts of the world and worked in the highest level of government.

“We are excited that Dr. Goosby was a leader in the last serious attempt to lift the federal funding ban for access to clean syringes under the Clinton Administration. We know that he will not want to lose that fight again and we can finally put an end to this ridiculous and draconian policy that punishes American citizens and people around the world and helps fuel the spread of HIV. Since 1995, millions more have become HIV+ because of lack of access to clean syringes. Now is the time to reach out and save lives” said Hiawatha Collins, leader of NYCAHN/VOCAL-NY Drug Users union. NYCAHN is a partner organization of Health GAP.

Dr. Goosby is taking his Ambassadorship at a time when AIDS funding is under attack from some quarters who—despite the reality that AIDS is still spreading and killing at staggering rates and most people in need still die without access to treatment—claim AIDS is getting “too much” funding. Heath GAP hopes Dr. Goosby will help us cut through this distraction to ensure that we reach the promise of Universal Access to treatment, care, and prevention promised by world leaders and scale up global health support toward reaching basic health care for all in need.

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