PEPFAR celebrates 15 years of saving lives globally

The US President's Emergency Plan For Aids Relief, PEPFAR, is celebrating 15 years of saving lives globally and 10 years in Ghana. 

At an interaction with Journalists at the American Embassy in Accra, the Deputy Head of Mission, Melinda Tabler-Stone disclosed that PEPFAR has supported HIV testing services for more than eighty-five million people including eleven point two million pregnant women globally. 

Also, the US has supported Ghana's HIV response with approximately 200 million dollars in the last 10 years.

Radio Ghana’s Rebecca Ekpe reports that with its contributions through the Global Fund and the US President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, Ghana Program, the US government remains the largest donor to Ghana's HIV/AIDS response. 

The close to 200 million dollar support to Ghana has focused on key populations, care and treatment, strengthening laboratory, strategic information and supply chain. 

Deputy Head of Mission at the US Embassy in Accra, Melinda Tabler-Stone said their support is anchored on a strong partnership with the government of Ghana and community service organizations. 

She said in October 2016, Ghana successfully adopted the UN AIDS 90-90-90 targets. By this commitment, ''the country will strive to enroll and retain more than 260 thousand persons living with HIV on treatment by 2020''.  

Moving forward, and in the light of decreasing resources, the US government says it is optimistic the Ghana Aids Commission will ensure the sustainability and accelerate efforts to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. 

Director General of the Ghana Aids Commission, Mrs. Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi said the National Response Program is grateful to PEPFAR. 

Providing an overview of the Ghana HIV/AIDS National Response, Program Manager, Dr. Stephen Ayisi-Addo said going forward, focus will be on dis-aggregated data to ensure no population is left behind in tackling the epidemic. 

PEPFAR's 15the Anniversary Campaign is dubbed ''15 years of saving lives through American generosity and prosperity''

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