Where I'm Headed
I have been having some very stimulating conversations with those working in the international public health sector, mostly in the realm of fighting infectious disease. On the continent of Africa, communications networks are better suited to the use of wireless technology for clinical support of a widely dispersed patient population.
Anti-retrovirals (ARVs) can now be distributed on a grander level, with Brazil providing these drugs for their people with AIDS. I amazed at the number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) spearheading these projects, and I depend upon them for the ground they've covered so far. I hope my enthusiasm and committment is adequate payback for now.
A new resource is the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). On their Web site they're giving kudos to the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations (G8) for including HIV/AIDS—and specifically a preventive vaccine—on the agenda for this year’s summit in Sea Island, Georgia.
Someone I met who taught in South Africa for one year recommended the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Web site as an important resource for understanding the state of HIV/AIDS treatment in Africa. I don't know why this surprised me. It has a story AIDS Experts Call for New Approach :
On June 10, 2004, the Global HIV Prevention Working Group released the first major report to answer critical questions about HIV prevention as the world enters an era of greater access to antiretroviral therapy in developing countries.
This Thursday night is the Doctors Without Borders Spring Speaker Series at the New School here in NYC, it will give me an opportunity to talk with medical professionals who have worked with clinical teams in various parts of Africa. Should be interesting.
9:00:51 PM
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