Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt's Remarks and introduction of Secretary Sebelius at HIV Care and Treatment Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Friday July 22, 2011

Alfonso E. Lenhardt, U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania

Venue: Mnazi Mmoja Health Center

Mheshimiwa Waziri Dr. Mponda;

United States Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius;

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and gentlemen;

Hamjambo,

Habari za asubuhi rafiki zangu.

Good morning, thank you for welcoming us here today. Looking around I see many familiar faces today and many new ones as well. To the medical officers and health workers at this facility, thank you for inviting us into your place of work.

I understand this HIV Care and Treatment Center for excellence is 1 of 5 in Tanzania. Congratulations, this is a significant accomplishment.

From our implementing partner, Management and Development for Health, to the dedicated staff at CDC, to the Government of Tanzania, and most importantly, to the health care workers serving the needs of Tanzanians every day in this facility, hongera sana!

I commend you for your tireless commitment to raising the standard of health care.

This new center will allow more Tanzanians from Dar es Salaam and across this nation to receive comprehensive and specialized care for second line treatment of HIV and AIDS.

It gives me great pleasure to share this day with our very special visitors from the United States.

Appointed by President Obama in 2009, Secretary Sebelius has led ambitious efforts to improve America’s health and enhance the delivery of human services to some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, as America’s top health official, Secretary Sebelius works closely with international partners to confront global health issues like polio, HIV/AIDS, and the growing costs of chronic diseases around the world.

From 2003-2009, she served as Governor of Kansas and was named one of America’s Top Five Governors by Time Magazine.

This is Secretary Sebelius’s first visit to Tanzania. Karibu sana Madame Secretary.

The members of this delegation have contributed significantly to medicine, science and health care in America and across the world. These distinguished guests have served as senior advisors to presidents, have authored hundreds of scientific publications, and are leaders and visionaries in their respective fields.

Please welcome Dr. Nils Daulaire, Director of the Office of Global Affairs.

Dr. Mary Wakefield, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Dr. Bernard Naylen, Deputy Coordinator of the President’s Malaria Initiative (Tanzania is the largest recipient of PMI funding).

Dr. Kevin De Cock, Director of the Center for Global Health.

Dr. Samuel Adenny-Jones, Director of the Africa Region in the Office of Global Affairs.

I thank Secretary Sebelius and the Department of Health and Human Services for their support and commitment to improving the health of the Tanzanian people. America and Tanzania stand united in their vision of a healthier future.

Asanteni sana