U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Background
The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a global health program launched in 2003 to combat and limit the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease. PEPFAR represents the largest commitment in history made by a nation to a single disease. Through PEPFAR, as of September 30, 2012, the U.S. directly supported more than 5.1 million people on antiretroviral treatment (ART). This number is up from 1.7 million in 2008 – a three-fold increase in only four years.
In FY 2012, PEPFAR programs supported antiretroviral drugs (ARV) to prevent mother-to-child transmission for more than 750,000 pregnant women living with HIV. Thanks to this effort, an estimated 230,000 infant HIV infections were averted in 2012 alone. PEPFAR also supported HIV testing and counseling for more than 46.5 million people in 2012.
The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a global health program launched in 2003 to combat and limit the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease. PEPFAR represents the largest commitment in history made by a nation to a single disease. Through PEPFAR, as of September 30, 2012, the U.S. directly supported more than 5.1 million people on antiretroviral treatment (ART). This number is up from 1.7 million in 2008 – a three-fold increase in only four years.
In FY 2012, PEPFAR programs supported antiretroviral drugs (ARV) to prevent mother-to-child transmission for more than 750,000 pregnant women living with HIV. Thanks to this effort, an estimated 230,000 infant HIV infections were averted in 2012 alone. PEPFAR also supported HIV testing and counseling for more than 46.5 million people in 2012.
PEPFAR in Guyana: Celebrating 10 Years of PEPFAR in Guyana through Shared Responsibility and Strengthening Results for an AIDS-Free Generation
PEPFAR reflects the U.S. commitment to the shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives.
The year 2013 marks a decade of PEPFAR’s remarkable achievements in helping protect people against this deadly virus. Ten years ago, Guyana appeared to be on the precipice of an HIV/AIDS crisis with a growing infection rate and enabling conditions for the rapid spread of the disease similar to that found in other countries, which saw exponential growth in the infection.
Today, HIV/AIDS infection rates in Guyana have stabilized. The people of Guyana are assured an adequate, safe supply of blood. Laboratory and surveillance capacity is in place to monitor and respond to the epidemic. Pregnant HIV positive mothers are assured to know their status and receive necessary preventative care, so as to prevent infecting their unborn babies. Voluntary counseling and testing centers have grown exponentially across the country and thousands now know their HIV status. For those infected with the disease, care and antiretroviral treatment is readily available.
It is a testament to the collective efforts of government, donor partners, and civil society that the picture in Guyana has improved dramatically, and Guyanese institutions are now poised to take on ever greater responsibility for continuing to combat the disease.
The United States of America remains committed to working with all stakeholders to expand HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services throughout the country.
Read more about PEPFAR’s work here: www.pepfar.gov
