Malawian Doctor Selected as 2009 International Leadership Award Recipient
July 22, 2009
Contact: Robert Yule
South Africa: 079-488-53-66
USA: 202-390-9540
ryule@pedaids.org
Grant Will Support Improvement of Maternal and Child HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment Programs in Malawi
Cape Town, South Africa—The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, a worldwide leader in the fight to eradicate pediatric HIV/AIDS, announced Dr. Agnes Moses, a medical doctor from Malawi, as the 2009 International Leadership Award (ILA) recipient. The announcement of the award comes during the 2009 International AIDS Society (IAS) conference, held this year in Cape Town, South Africa.
Dr. Moses has played a key role in the design and implementation of many of Malawi’s PMTCT programs, and works at the UNC Project-Malawi, a collaboration between Malawi’s Ministry of Health and Population (Kamuzu Central Hospital) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (School of Medicine).
Foundation Vice President of Research Dr. Laura Guay congratulated Dr. Moses, saying, “As a physician who has devoted her career to the care and treatment of women and children living with HIV, Dr. Moses has a clear understanding of the challenges of implementation and integration of HIV services within the health care system. We’re excited that Dr. Moses is part of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s growing family of scientists, researchers, clinicians, and implementers working to create a generation free of HIV.”
Created in 2002, the International Leadership Award (ILA) supports physicians and scientists worldwide who have the training and potential to develop pediatric HIV programs, but lack the financial resources to do so. These awardees are involved in mentoring, initiating, and improving services, as well as providing support to host governments and implementing research, evaluation, and training initiatives. To date, the ILA has provided nearly $6 million in awards. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation received 50 letters of intent for this year’s award, funded generously by Jewelers for Children (JFC), a long-time supporter of the Foundation.
Dr. Moses will receive funding over a three-year period for a project aimed at improving the effectiveness of PMTCT, and improving maternal and infant HIV diagnosis, care, treatment, and support in Lilongwe District, Malawi. The project will train three key individuals (one general physician, one nurse, and one laboratory technician) to serve as trainers and implementers of the PMTCT program at Bwaila Hospital, the PMTCT center of excellence in Lilongwe District. Following evaluation of the program, successful components will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health at additional sites, starting with Lilongwe District and then expanding nationwide. Bwaila Hospital will continue to serve as a training center for new personnel as PMTCT services expand to additional health centers.
As the industry’s charity, JFC is generously supported by those who create and sell fine jewelry and watches. Manufacturers, retail jewelers, trade associations, watch companies, and those who provide professional services to the jewelry industry have united on behalf of children. Since 1999, JFC has invested more than $30 million in special programs to reach children whose lives have been devastated by illness or life-threatening abuse and neglect. JFC’s partnership with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation spans more than a decade and includes support of previous ILAs.
###
About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
For the past twenty years, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has been a worldwide leader in the fight against pediatric AIDS. Its innovative research programs, collaborative training initiatives, advocacy efforts, and rapidly expanding international prevention and treatment programs are bringing dramatic changes to the lives of children worldwide.