How effective Public-Private Partnerships help combat HIV/AIDS

The Global Health council held a panel discussion at the US Capitol yesterday on how Public-Private partnerships help build effective models to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa.  The dignitaries present were Jane Kambalane (First Secretary at the embassy of the republic of Malawi), Lisa Bohmer (Director of Global Partnership at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation, Maurice Middleberg (VP Public Policy at Global Health council), and Jeff Richardson (Vice President of the Abbott Fund).

  Mr. Middleberg began the talk by discussing the importance of effective Public-Private Partnerships. He states that there must be clear consensus on goals, articulated strategies, defined roles and responsibilities, and transparency for any partnership to work.  Ms. Kambalame of Malawi discussed how Public –Private Partnerships helps in the fight against in Malawi. In Malawi, the shortage of facilities and doctors delay the treatment and care of HIV/AIDS. However, Ms. Kambalame believes the Public- Private Partnerships in Malawi have helped fill the resource gap and have led to visible improvements. She stressed the importance of the reauthorization of the PEPFAR bill and the expansion of PEPFAR to new countries is essential to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Ms Bohmer of the Glaser Foundation highlighted partnerships they have been able to increase access to PMCTC and pilot innovative techniques which have reached children in Malawi and Tanzania. Ms. Bohmer states than an essential component of effective Public-Private partnerships is strong leadership and governance on the national level. The foundation endeavors to work closely with national health goals.  Also the foundation is in the process of partnering with MTN a leading South Africa cell phone provider across Africa.  With the help of MTN, it hopes to develop a communication campaign to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS Treatment and care.

Mr. Richardson of the Abbott fund concluded the panel discussion by saying “no one can do it alone” Hence there is a need for effective partnerships. The Abbott fund has been able to partner with Tanzania to build school and roads, improve water systems and rebuild a state of the art pathology lab. The Abbott fund has educated the Tanzanian people on how to use and maintain the facilities. For Mr. Richardson, an essential component in combating HIV/AIDS is giving the people the tools to get the work done themselves. He concluded by listing the 3 C’s essential to fighting the HIV epidemic. “If we can collaborate, coordinate and cooperate with good partners then we will be able to turn the epidemic around”