Making a Difference in Malawi
Posted by
Robert Yule
Washington, D.C.
June 25, 2010
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Dr. Agnes Moses (pictured) is a leader – both in her native
Malawi and internationally – in fighting pediatric HIV/AIDS.
This is why it’s particularly fitting that she was the recipient of
our most recent International Leadership Award, generously funded by
Jewelers for Children. The ILA supports researchers in the field doing innovative work to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the virus, and to treat children living with HIV.
Today the
ONE blog and
Science Speaks blog both profiled Dr. Moses as she wrapped up a week of meetings with policymakers in Washington, D.C., talking about the measurable impact of U.S. funding in fighting HIV/AIDS in her own country.
Dr. Moses has devoted her career to the care and treatment of women and children living with HIV in Malawi, which has a staggering national HIV prevalence rate of 12%, and an extreme shortage of doctors.
Her efforts have been instrumental in jumpstarting Malawi’s PMTCT program, and have already shown results. The infection rate for infants has been reduced by nearly half in parts of the country.
She also was an investigator in the important
Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals, and Nutrition (BAN) Study, which found improved methods to block transmission of HIV through breastmilk, a major challenge for countries like Malawi where breastfeeding is critical to infant survival.
It’s the tireless work and dedication of people like Dr. Moses that will help us reach our goal of an HIV-free generation.
Robert Yule is the Foundation's Media Manager, based in Washington, D.C.