Dear [[FirstName]],
In the last five years International Medical Corps has worked hard to fight HIV/AIDS in Kenya. But saving lives has never proved a bigger challenge than it is now, with the intersection of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Today, TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV.
IMC is facing this challenge in two of the most affected areas in Kenya. In Kibera, Africa’s largest slum, 12 percent of the inhabitants are HIV infected and TB is spreading fast in the overcrowded living quarters. In the west Kenyan Suba district 60,000 people, a third of the population, is HIV positive. In both areas 60-80 percent of TB patients are also infected with HIV.
We are dealing with two diseases that combined become a fast killer. The danger of a drug-resistant strain is a nightmare we must prevent. IMC therefore emphasizes a one patient-two diseases approach. All people in our programs infected with HIV are also tested for TB and those infected with TB are offered an HIV test. Diagnosis, counseling, and treatment belong together wherever we operate and we must continue this work in cooperation with our partners in the Kenyan public health sector. If we don’t face the challenge it will continue to kill at an even faster pace.
Sincerely,
Peter McOdida
IMC Country Director, Kenya
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
IMC partners with Starbucks for World Water Day event
International Medical Corps and Starbucks are teaming up to raise awareness about the critical lack of clean, safe drinking water worldwide. The “Walk for Water: Los Angeles” to be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2007, includes music and dance performances, coffee and tea service and special guest speakers. The walk, which starts at Santa Monica Pier and ends in Venice Beach, is inspired by the 3-6 mile journey women and children make every day in “water stressed” countries. The time spent fetching water for their families prevents them from pursuing an education, maintaining their households or earning additional income.
Events are taking place in 26 cities across the United States. For more information or to register for a “Walk for Water” event near you, visit www.worldwaterday.net.
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