[Photo/businessdailyafrica]
AstraZeneca and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have highlighted their respective efforts to expand access to hypertension and HIV/AIDS services in Kenya, as part of their $10 million five–year global public-private partnership.
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AstraZeneca and PEPFAR in September 2016, which is initially being implemented through a one-year pilot programme in collaboration with the Kenyan Ministry of Health; in two counties, Homa Bay and Kisumu.
This partnership leverages PEPFAR’s existing HIV/AIDS service delivery infrastructure to enhance access to healthcare services for men aged 25-50.
For AstraZeneca and our Healthy Heart Africa programme, PEPFAR’s sizeable patient reach in Kenya enables the concurrent screening for hypertension in this and other hard-to-reach populations.
Through joint implementation both programmes will increase their impact and engage new patients in life-saving treatment and care, with PATH, a Seattle-based PEPFAR partner with extensive expertise in both HIV and NCD programming, currently implementing the initial pilot in Kenya.
Katarina Ageborg, Executive Vice-President Sustainability and Chief Compliance Officer, AstraZeneca, said, “AstraZeneca is excited to be partnering with PEPFAR in Kenya to improve access to testing and treatment for people with hypertension and HIV/AIDS. We are happy to be expanding our presence here and building on our experience with Healthy Heart Africa, particularly at a community level. In emerging markets, AstraZeneca partners with health ministries and healthcare professionals to develop sustainable health systems, reflecting our company’s commitment to helping patients access the medicines they need.”
AstraZeneca was joined by representatives of the Kenyan Ministry of Health, PEPFAR and PATH, as well as Health authorities, local dignitaries and residents from Homa Bay and Kisumu counties.