Touring A Rwandan Clinic


Jul 30th, 2008 10:01 AM UTC
By Virginia Simmons

Rwanda Trip 7-08 1410

Another video and post from ONE’s Tom Gavin from last week’s trip to Rwanda.

Monday, July 21:

The U.S. launched PEPFAR – the American global AIDS strategy – at the Masaka Clinic in 2004, so it made for a good place for the ONE delegation to visit and assess how things are going. Our delegation met with doctors, nurses, local officials, and patients seeking treatment and counsel from the clinic’s staff. We heard, time and again, the difference that America’s partnership in health care was making in Rwanda and throughout Africa.

The DATA Report, which ONE released earlier this year, shows the progress being made. It points out that, across Africa, nearly 2.12 million people were on antiretroviral therapy by last December, a huge jump from the 50,000 people on treatment in 2002. That means 30 percent of Africans in need of treatment are receiving it. But there remains a major challenge ahead. An additional 1.7 million Africans became infected with the HIV virus in 2007.

After touring the Masaka Clinic, some of the ONE delegation discussed the site visit and the overall trip with reporters.

-Tom Gavin

TAGS: African healthcare systems, Cindy McCain, DATA Report, DATA Report 2008, HIV/AIDS, Health, John Podesta, JulyONERwandaTrip, Rwanda, Sen. Bill Frist M.D., Sen. Tom Daschle

  1. Paul of Par Avion Bandsays: Jul 30th, 2008 11:04 AM EST

    July 30, 2008 at 11:04 am

    It makes me very proud when they talk about ONE.

    I agree wholeheartedly about building the economic infrastructure.

    I flinched for a moment at the word “guerillas,” then immediately realized they meant “gorillas,” of course. (A welcome change in discussion, certainly.)

    http://www.rwanda-gorillas.com/

    I think the idea of launching more products from Africa, such as Rwandan coffee (they could even call it “gorilla coffee,” playfully), is a key to making these nations self-sustaining, and players on firm footing in the international community.

  2. GinnyDsays: Jul 30th, 2008 12:29 PM EST

    July 30, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    I agree with Paul. We should all be proud to hear our spokespeople talking about ONE and what it has accomplished. I too agree that the economic infrastructure is important. I knew what they were talking about when they started talking about gorillas only because last year Senator Frist blogged about his trip up to the top of a 12,000 foot high volcano to see silverback gorillas during his annual African trip. They had to hike up the mountain, and the story was quite interesting.

  3. JrLousays: Jul 30th, 2008 10:38 PM EST

    July 30, 2008 at 10:38 pm

    Spread The Love ToO EveryOne Pass It On

    OneLove

    http://www.viralsong.com

  4. Anna Haleysays: Aug 1st, 2008 2:17 PM EST

    August 1, 2008 at 2:17 pm

    Are there more informative pictures that show the people, the families, the patients, the country side, the housing, the poverty, the actual situation?

  5. Dunn Egginksays: Jan 19th, 2009 7:55 PM EST

    January 19, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    Hello fellow ONE member,
    I appreciate Bono speaking out on behalf of the worlds poor and sick. Don’t forget that the number one question asked Obama was “Will you legalize marijuana?”. Think about the benefits that medical cannabis can have on the millions of suffering Africans. I am very disturbed when I hear that UN Police are using international aid money to persecute cannabis growers in Africa and destroy such an important beneficial crop. Bono has enormous influence on UN leaders, and some of the world’s most powerful people. Please don’t think for a moment that by removing cannabis the UN is in any way helping the poor people of Africa or any other continent. This is a grave injustice, and I’m sure the sick and dying Africans effected by such laws would agree. The cannabis plant can help to provide food, clothing, shelter, safe medicine, and eco-friendly fuel. If the One Campaign really wants to help the poor, we should let them grow hemp, and if we must get involved, help them succeed in taking advantage of the many benefits of the hemp industry.
    I hope Bono keeps up the good work, and helps to stop the bad work.
    Thanx. www.nycamp.org

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