Our global HIV chief, Jimmy Kolker, will be here in Wellington next week. This coincides with the recent release of a joint progress report by UNICEF, WHO and UNAIDS – “Towards Universal Access: Scaling Up Priority HIV/AIDS Interventions In The Health Sector” which details progress made in the last year regarding antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and access, and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) – also referred to as “vertical transmission”.
The report indications are good – ART coverage in low- and middle-income countries among adults and children increased from 33% to 42% in the year to Dec 2008 and percentage of HIV positive pregnant women receiving ART to prevent passing HIV to their baby increased from 35% to 45%.
Jimmy has extensive HIV/AIDS experience and has been with UNICEF since 2007, having previously served as Deputy Global AIDS Coordinator in the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), which leads implementation of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He’ll be meeting with NZAID representatives and MPs to discuss the report, its findings and the way forward for UNICEF and their partners. He’s also giving a public lunchtime talk on Wednesday 21st October from 12.30 to 1.30 at the Centre for Global Action, level 2, James Smith’s Corner, Wellington so come along if you can.
Jimmy Kolker
"I'm a UNICEF supporter, and I'd love you to join me."
Global HIV/AIDS Chief Visiting Wellington
Our global HIV chief, Jimmy Kolker, will be here in Wellington next week. This coincides with the recent release of a joint progress report by UNICEF, WHO and UNAIDS – “Towards Universal Access: Scaling Up Priority HIV/AIDS Interventions In The Health Sector” which details progress made in the last year regarding antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and access, and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) – also referred to as “vertical transmission”.
The report indications are good – ART coverage in low- and middle-income countries among adults and children increased from 33% to 42% in the year to Dec 2008 and percentage of HIV positive pregnant women receiving ART to prevent passing HIV to their baby increased from 35% to 45%.
Jimmy has extensive HIV/AIDS experience and has been with UNICEF since 2007, having previously served as Deputy Global AIDS Coordinator in the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), which leads implementation of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He’ll be meeting with NZAID representatives and MPs to discuss the report, its findings and the way forward for UNICEF and their partners. He’s also giving a public lunchtime talk on Wednesday 21st October from 12.30 to 1.30 at the Centre for Global Action, level 2, James Smith’s Corner, Wellington so come along if you can.
Jimmy Kolker