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Press Release

For Immediate Release
June 27, 2016
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USAID, Aga Khan Foundation, and IPS(WA) Team Up to Use Technology to Improve HIV/AIDS Care in Côte d’Ivoire

Abidjan – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), and the Industrial Promotion Services of West Africa (IPS(WA)) announce a groundbreaking and innovative public-private partnership that will promote telemedicine to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

This project will work on prevention, care, and treatment for HIV patients using cutting-edge technology involving internet-connected computers. This will enable doctors in rural areas to liaise with doctors in larger cities to conduct diagnosis of and treatment for patients who are located in different geographic areas.

“This project’s support for telemedicine aligns well with the Ivoirian Government’s priority to use ICT to address public health challenges and we are excited to work closely with our partners to achieve our shared goals,” observed Alexandre Deprez, USAID/West Africa Mission Director.

The overall project is valued at $500,000 and will target cotton grower communities in Boundiali, in northern Côte d’Ivoire, as well as the District of Abobo, in Abidjan.

Each telemedicine site will be equipped with information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and fully connected to broadband internet. The sites will be linked to a network of resources in Côte d’Ivoire and abroad – thus improving the quality of life for HIV patients.

“ICT allows us to provide training, medical advice and care to a much greater number of people,” said Ousmane R. Seye, Regional CEO of Aga Khan Foundation, West Africa
NOTES TO EDITORS:

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally, and PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum.

The goal of the USAID West Africa Regional Office is to promote social and economic well-being advanced by West Africans. Spanning 21 countries, USAID/West Africa designs and implements programs with West African partners to strengthen systems of non-violent conflict management, support economic growth, and expand quality health services. The American people, through USAID, provide economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries worldwide. For more information please visit http://www.usaid.gov/west-africa-regional.

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is one of the world’s leading international development organizations. Working alongside communities in 30 countries, each year AKF implements education, health, civil society, and rural development programs that improve the quality of life for millions of people across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information, please visit: www.akdn.org/akf

IPS(WA) is an Institution of the Aga Khan fund for economic development (AKFED). IPS(WA) operates 13 private projects in West Africa. For more information: www.ips-wa.org

By soroyx | 27 June, 2016 | Topics: News, PEPFAR, USAID | Tags: AKF, IPS, PEPFAR