US increases AIDS funding

THE US government has promised to increase its assistance to Namibia by more than N$500 million under the President’s Emergency Plan.

Speaking at the official renaming of the Namibia field office of Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Communication Partnership to Nawa Life recently, Gary Newton, Director of the US Agency for International Development, said they have spent N$840 million to assist Namibia’s HIV-AIDS prevention, care and treatment programme since 2004. Because of how well the resources were used and the achievements of the programmes, Newton said, they have decided increase it to between N$523 million and N$588 million next year.”Namibia has been recognised internationally for your success in providing infected Namibians with access to free, quality HIV treatment.Approximately 26 000 of the 52 000 people estimated to be in need of treatment are currently receiving treatment.Namibia is meeting 50 per cent of the treatment needs of its people.This is a major accomplishment,” Newton said.He said they expected Namibia to soon also be recognised for its success with HIV prevention.Prime Minister Nahas Angula also officiated at the launch.”The actions taken by Nawa Life are vital for Namibia to become a more socially aware and proactive society in addressing the spread of HIV and other related social problems,” Angula said.Nawa Life is involved in Namibia’s HIV-prevention efforts through the design and implementation of behaviour change programmes, development of HIV-AIDS information, education and communication materials and providing technical assistance in the development of mass media campaigns.Because of how well the resources were used and the achievements of the programmes, Newton said, they have decided increase it to between N$523 million and N$588 million next year.”Namibia has been recognised internationally for your success in providing infected Namibians with access to free, quality HIV treatment.Approximately 26 000 of the 52 000 people estimated to be in need of treatment are currently receiving treatment.Namibia is meeting 50 per cent of the treatment needs of its people.This is a major accomplishment,” Newton said.He said they expected Namibia to soon also be recognised for its success with HIV prevention.Prime Minister Nahas Angula also officiated at the launch.”The actions taken by Nawa Life are vital for Namibia to become a more socially aware and proactive society in addressing the spread of HIV and other related social problems,” Angula said.Nawa Life is involved in Namibia’s HIV-prevention efforts through the design and implementation of behaviour change programmes, development of HIV-AIDS information, education and communication materials and providing technical assistance in the development of mass media campaigns.