Addis Ababa, March 19, 2024(Addis Walta) The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program has approved the $111 million (over 6 billion Birr) Country Operational Plan 2023 (COP23) to support Ethiopia’s efforts to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Ambassador Dr. John N. Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy for Health Diplomacy, announced the approval. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa confirmed this news today.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, and U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin J. Massinga, attended the virtual event and gave their remarks. The COP23 Year 2 plan represents an ongoing partnership between the Ministry of Health and PEPFAR to support the needs of people living with HIV in Ethiopia. With the announcement of the approval, this partnership will continue and ensure that Ethiopia is on track to achieve epidemic control by 2030.
The plan, created in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders, aims to close gaps in HIV prevention, care, and treatment for key populations and address geographic disparities. The plan will prioritize improving HIV services in conflict-affected areas, enhancing case-finding strategies, and reaching vulnerable populations such as children, adolescents, and gender-based violence survivors.
PEPFAR has invested approximately $3 billion (over 162 billion Birr) in Ethiopia over the past 21 years to support the HIV/AIDS response. PEPFAR’s investments have strengthened the health system through workforce development, improved infrastructure to support HIV services, and supported the establishment of referral laboratories and a national health information system to address HIV.