PEPFAR NEWS

World AIDS Day 2006

World AIDS Day – December 1, 2006

"Let us rededicate ourselves to transforming the world through the promise of partnerships."
 - Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator

On World AIDS Day, the world remembers those who have died or lost loved ones to HIV/AIDS and rededicates itself to preventing further suffering and death. In Cote d’Ivoire, where women are twice as likely as men to be HIV-positive, observances will focus on “The Feminization of HIV/AIDS: Time to Act” in conjunction with the global PEPFAR theme of “The Promise of Partnerships.”

U.S. Ambassador Aubrey Hooks and other U.S. government and PEPFAR officials will join Cote d’Ivoire government officials for the national observance on Dec. 1 in Agboville. PEPFAR-supported activities will include:

• A tour of clinics providing antiretroviral therapy and prevention of mother-to-child transmission services.
• A “fair” featuring animations, skits, and other HIV-prevention activities by a variety of PEPFAR sub-partners, under the leadership of the Alliance National Contre le SIDA en Cote d’Ivoire (ANS-CI).
• HIV-prevention activities, including Sports for Life-related activities, by youth health clubs in seven cities under the leadership of the Ministry of Education.
• A donation of medical equipment and report on HIV care at the Cocody teaching hospital’s pediatric ward, led by PEPFAR partner Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF).