UPDATED: 04 Mar 2009 GMT
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U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Larry André welcomes Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, Vice President of Tanzania, to launch an HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Center at Kibiti Health Center in Pwani Region.
Inauguration of the Kibiti HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Centers
Venue: Kibiti Health Center, Pwani Region
Friday, February 27, 2009
Remarks by U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Larry André (draft)
Guest of Honour Vice President of Tanzania, Dr. ALI MOHAMMED SHEIN
Regional and district government officials
The ICAP team and Council Health Management Team members
People Living with HIV present here today and Peer Educators
Faith Based NGO’s and Community Groups
Kibiti Oyee!
Rais Kiwkete, Oyee!
Rais Obama, Oyee!
Mabibi na mabwana, habari za asubui!
I am honored to join all of you, and especially Vice President Shein, here this morning to help launch this new HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Health Center for the residents of the Rufiji District.
The partnership between the people of America and the people of Tanzania to fight HIV/AIDS has resulted in the opening of over 80 clinics like this one all over this country over the past two years. The clinics are funded by the American people through PEPFAR, the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. PEPFAR is the largest international health commitment ever made by any nation to fight a single disease.
During remarks he made on World AIDS Day, President Obama promised to continue the worldwide fight against AIDS. Our foreign minister, Secretary Clinton, recently praised the success of our partnership in Tanzania for the great progress we have made together in caring and treating Tanzanians suffering from AIDS, including uninfected family members, and in preventing the further spread of the disease. Millions of Tanzanians have received voluntary testing and counseling. Millions of Tanzanians have received care and treatment. Millions of Tanzanians have understood--and applied--prevention messages.
These Care and Treatment clinics provide greater access to treatment services for families and individuals in need. Clinic staff members provide services in a clean, safe and pleasant environment. In addition to providing Anti-Retroviral Treatment services, this facility also provides patient support activities, HIV counseling and testing, services to prevent HIV infection to babies; early testing services for infants and children, laboratory services and care for patients at home.
The Kibiti clinic has a place for children and their parents, equipped with children's books and toys. These centers will provide families a wide range of services. While PEPFAR is aimed at one disease – HIV/AIDS – the services these centers provide help Tanzanians and the national health care system in many ways.
We need all of you to take the opportunity to, free of charge, learn your HIV status and sensitize your friends and family to do the same. His Excellency President Kikwete and First Lady Mama Kikwete led the way. In July 2007, the First Couple publicly tested for HIV/AIDS. Since then, following their example, over 4 million Tanzanians have been tested.
It is only through testing that you can plan for your future. If you are found to be HIV positive, enroll yourself at the care and treatment clinics at Kibiti Health Center. If you are HIV negative, learn about the ways that you can stay that way and support those around you to do the same.
You can take control of your own future . . . and know that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you as you do.
On behalf of the American people, I again thank you for your tireless commitment to improving the health of this country. Mr. Vice President, thank you again--your presence here exemplifies the strong partnership between our two nations. We will continue to work steadfast with you and the entire Tanzanian nation to fulfill President Kikwete’s vision of a “Tanzania without AIDS." We believe it is possible.
TANZANIA BILA UKIMWI INAWEZEKANA.
AHSANTENI SANA.
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