EGPAF Applauds the Confirmation of Dr. John Nkengasong to Lead the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Washington, DC – EGPAF applauds the Senate’s confirmation of Dr. John Nkengasong to lead the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). A leading public policy advocate and expert virologist, Dr. Nkengasong possesses over 30 years of experience in global health with expertise in health equity and pandemic responsiveness. In his confirmation hearing, Dr. Nkengasong acknowledged the significance of PEPFAR’s success in the global AIDS response noting that since its creation in 2003 the program has, “saved more than 21 million lives and prevented millions of HIV infections, including in children.”
“Dr. Nkengasong is a champion for the millions of children impacted by the HIV pandemic. A compassionate leader and technical expert, I know he will continue to include children, youth, and families in the global AIDS response and that he understands the challenges and opportunities that the global health community must face if we are to achieve an AIDS-free generation,” said EGPAF President and CEO Chip Lyons.
Currently serving as the Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and special envoy to the director of the WHO for pandemic preparedness and response, Dr. Nkengasong understands how COVID-19 has disrupted health services in many countries served by PEPFAR. At the same time, however, his specialization in pandemic responsiveness gives him critical insight into the ways PEPFAR can leverage its success in service delivery for future pandemics as well as HIV/AIDS.
“I can think of no better person to lead PEPFAR in this critical moment in history and EGPAF looks forward to continuing working with PEPFAR under Dr. Nkengsong’s leadership,” said Lyons.
About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
EGPAF is a proven leader in the fight for an AIDS-free generation and has reached over 31 million pregnant women with services to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies. Founded in 1988, EGPAF has supported over 15,000 sites and currently works in 17 countries to offer HIV counseling, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services alongside high-quality family health care. Each stage of life—from infancy to adulthood—brings new and different challenges, and EGPAF is driven to see a world where no other mother, child, or family is devastated by this disease. For more information, visit pedaids.org
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