The Supply Chain Workforce: Key for Improving Response to HIV/AIDS

Sarah Dwyer — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:09:17 +0000

It was my intention to focus on attending events related to health workforce and supply chain management while at my first International AIDS Conference. However, with a conference program the size of a phone book, I quickly became overwhelmed and selected the first event on the list: “Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the HIV response.” With such a broad topic, I expected the discussion could extend in a multitude of directions and I figured it would be a well-rounded first session.

Senators John Kerry and Lindsey Graham opened the session. Graham emphasized the need to remain focused on fighting the AIDS pandemic despite budget challenges in the US government. A recent minister of health from Lesotho, M. Ramatlapeng, guided the conversation toward the need to prioritize investment for impact. And when it came time for Bill Gates to share his view on the means by which to create a world without AIDS, he was quick to emphasize that we have a long way before that dream will become reality. He explained that while he sees a vaccine as the ultimate solution, it should not distract from other efforts. It remains essential to commit additional money toward research for new prevention tools and better systems of delivery.

Author's name:

Abbie Heffelfinger

Publication Date:

July 2012

“I’m a Health Worker”: Saving Lives in Rural Uganda

Carol Bales — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:05:43 +0000

Bernard Tayebwa knows how important his job is to his community. His favorite part of being a senior clinical officer at Rugyeyo Health Center III in Kanungu District, Uganda, is nothing less than “saving the lives of patients.”

To the north in Kabarole District, Dr. Solomon Asiimwe articulates the flip side of the lifesaving nature of their work. The toughest part of his job as a medical officer at Kitojo Integrated Development Association, an NGO hospital, “is when I care for patients and sometimes they don’t improve, sometimes they are terminally ill and they pass away.”

Author's name:

Sarah Dwyer with Wanda Jaskiewicz

Publication Date:

July 2012

People That Deliver

The Supply Chain Workforce: Key for Improving Response to HIV/AIDS

“I’m a Health Worker”: Saving Lives in Rural Uganda