AHF Lauds Obama’s Appointment of Dr. Eric Goosby at PEPFAR

US’ Largest AIDS Group Urges White House to Ensure Goosby has the Support and Resources Necessary to Effectively Lead Lifesaving Global AIDS Program. Unlike Many Other Administration Appointees, New Global AIDS Coordinator Brings Years of Experience Working in Global AIDS Fight

By: AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Washington DC - April 27, 2009

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today lauded President Obama’s choice of Dr. Eric Goosby as Global AIDS Coordinator for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the lifesaving US global AIDS program first spearheaded by President George W. Bush six years ago.

“We applaud President Obama’s selection of Dr. Eric Goosby to head PEPFAR and believe Dr. Goosby is an excellent choice to lead PEPFAR. Unlike many other Administration appointees, Dr. Goosby brings a wealth of experience to the job having worked in global AIDS for many, many years. His firsthand experience should serve him well in this key position in the global AIDS fight,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “However, it is crucial that President Obama ensures that Dr. Goosby have the capability and full support of the Administration in order to effectively lead this landmark lifesaving global AIDS program and that we do not squander the steady progress that PEPFAR has already made in the global fight against AIDS. Such support would include honoring Mr. Obama’s 2008 campaign pledge of funding for the global AIDS program  in the amount of at least $50 billion by 2013—a pledge that may have moved of the President’s short list amidst growing global and economic crises."

PEPFAR was the result of President Bush's groundbreaking 2003 State of the Union pledge to bring two million HIV positive Africans and others into treatment and prevent seven million new HIV infections via a five-year, $15 billion US-funded program. It currently operates in 15 focus countries and claims to support antiretroviral treatment for 1.4 million people worldwide.

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About AHF
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org