Heineken announces three new projects focused on prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Africa
At the Heineken HIV/AIDS symposium held in Amsterdam today, Jean-François van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO Heineken N.V., announced that the Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF) has initiated three new projects focused on HIV/AIDS in communities where the company operates.
- PharmAccess African Studies to Evaluate Resistance (PASER), Nigeria – PASER is managed by the PharmAccess Foundation and is the largest coordinated effort in sub-Saharan Africa to monitor HIV drug resistance. Six African countries hosting 15 clinics, laboratories and research institutions are joined in a unique collaborative network to collect data on (emerging) HIV drug resistance. Currently, over 3,000 adults who receive antiretroviral treatment are being monitored. With Heineken’s funding Nigeria will now be added to this study, supporting the implementation of a monitoring program to assess the emergence of HIV drug resistance in both Nigerian adults and children who are receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.
- Bonnes Routes!, Democratic Republic of Congo – This programme will support two existing road wellness clinics in Lukala and Bukavu in Northern DRC. The clinics will provide curative and preventative health services to more than 25,000 employees of transportation companies and other community members each year. They will provide HIV prevention guidance and ultimately HIV treatment, as well as basic health care services. If successful, an expansion of the programme’s scope will be considered.
- Project King’s Hope, South Africa – This is an ongoing project run by the King’s Hope Development Foundation. With the HAF funding, the foundation will be able to improve the accessibility of healthcare to HIV patients in the area of Olievenhoutbosch in the Gauteng Province, specifically palliative care.
- Dr. Hedia Belhadj, Director, Partnerships Department, UNAIDS;
- Prof. Dr. Joep M.A. Lange, Department of Global Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development;
- Ms. Morolake Odetoyinbo, Board Member, The Global Fund; CEO, Positive Action for Treatment Access;
- Mr. Hugo Tempelman MD, MA, CEO Ndlovu Care Group, South Africa; visiting professor Utrecht University;
- Dr. Marijke Wijnroks, AIDS Ambassador, The Dutch Government.
The HIV/AIDS symposium is part of the “Heineken Cares” initiative, under the umbrella of the company's long-term sustainability approach “Brewing a Better Future”. www.heinekeninternational.com
This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform
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