Subject:
Global Health Newsletter for October 26, 2023
From Name:
Igor Khrestin, George W. Bush Institute
From Email:
Ikhrestin@bushcenter.org
Reply Email:
hjohnson@bushcenter.org
Date and Time:
10/01/2024 12:00 am

 
The Bush Institute Global Health Newsletter
Hello,

This week the George W. Bush Institute was joined by over thirty organizations and leaders from the global health, democracy, and faith-based communities in the push to reauthorize the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). We are calling on members of Congress to act swiftly to continue this great American aid program. Not only has PEPFAR saved more than 25 million lives since its inception 20 years ago, but it has also fostered transparency, accountability, and economic growth in countries around the world.

PEPFAR has evolved into a program of great strategic significance for the United States. By emphasizing citizen involvement and responsiveness to stakeholder feedback it has strengthened institutions and become a model for democratic governance. PEPFAR has also spurred investments that are now deeply rooted in communities by supporting and providing HIV treatments that have generated global economic benefits totaling over $1 trillion. In an age of enhanced Chinese and Russian investment in Africa, PEPFAR has never been more important in the region.

Our letter states: "PEPFAR is more than a program to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It's a program of hope and courage. Thanks to the generosity of the American people and bipartisan Congressional support, PEPFAR is a model of United States leadership and a source of great national pride."

Failing to reauthorize PEPFAR not only endangers the lives of millions living with HIV/AIDS, but also puts our allies at risk of authoritarian influence. This vital program must continue to protect millions more lives and support global democracy.

Support for the letter can be found in the news section of this newsletter.

Kind regards,

Igor Khrestin
The Bradford M. Freeman Managing Director of Global Policy
George W. Bush Institute

 
Mandisa’s story

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has prevented HIV in more than 5.5 million babies across the globe, including Mandisa’s children. Mandisa is a PEPFAR beneficiary living with HIV in South Africa.. The program has given her children the opportunity to live a life without HIV.

When Mandisa found out that she was HIV-positive, she was skeptical about starting treatment. But the decision to seek care was the best decision of her life. Thanks to PEPFAR, Mandisa was able to access lifesaving medication, removing the fear and stigma of passing HIV onto her two daughters and giving them the opportunity to live vibrant, healthy lives.

Mandisa now works as a literacy technician with the South African AIDS Council, a PEPFAR partner, to inform more people about lifesaving treatments. She represents millions of women and girls whose lives have been directly impacted by PEPFAR and through her work, she’s ensuring that women don’t experience the same fear she had years ago.

 
Ally updates: 

"PEPFAR has been a lifesaving, pro-life program that has succeeded in protecting our families and children beyond our greatest expectations. It has been an answer to prayer. We have all experienced the terror of HIV/AIDS, either losing a dear family member or members of our congregations. PEPFAR brought not only relief from the plague of HIV/AIDS but hope for our future as well. Without the five-year reauthorization of PEPFAR our people will be left in fear for the future. We pray you will listen to our humble voices."

This excerpt came from over 350 African faith leaders, who wrote a letter to Congress to call for the reauthorization of PEPFAR, calling it a pro-life program that has saved more than 25 million lives throughout the program's lifespan.

 
Figure of the week:
UNAIDS data shows that new HIV infections are the lowest they have been since the 1980s, having been reduced by almost  60% since the peak in 1995. AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by almost 70% since the peak in 2004, and around 30 million people now have access to HIV treatment, with 9 million still requiring access.

At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, announced that five countries are already on the path to end AIDS by 2030, having achieved the interim goals set for 2025 some three years early. A further 16 countries are close to reaching those goals.

 
Bush Institute insights:
 

Dr. Deborah Birx, Senior Fellow at the Bush Institute, described how the bipartisan nature of PEPFAR has been key to its success during a TIME Magazine interview:

"That kind of hard policy discussion is facilitated by a clarity around the world that [PEPFAR] is supported by both Republicans and Democrats. Why is that important? Because they know that within that five-year period, more than likely there could be a shift in either the Republicans or Democrats on the Hill or in the White House,” says Birx. Without bipartisan support, Birx says more countries may hope to hold out for a change in government rather than implement changes. Birx adds that she’s now “worried about those big policy engagements that the U.S. is really core in negotiating.”

 
Standout statement:

Bloomberg journalist Tyler Cowen published a piece in The Washington Post analyzing the multi-layered success of PEPFAR.

"By some estimates, the program has saved 25 million lives over the last two decades, spending about $90 billion for treatments that many Africans otherwise could not have afforded or gotten access to. Not only has PEPFAR saved African lives (in a very cost-effective way, I might add), it’s also improved the quality of life for many Africans and helped the economies of many African nations. The burnishing of America's reputation is a bonus."

 
In the news:
 
Igor Khrestin
THE BRADFORD M. FREEMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL POLICY

GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
T: (214) 200-4315
E: IKhrestin@bushcenter.org

www.bushcenter.org

 

About the George W. Bush Institute

The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day. Learn more at www.bushcenter.org

 

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