CLINTON FOUNDATION HIV/AIDS ACTIVITIES IN CAMEROON

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000867 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS ACCRA FOR USAID/WA SECDEF FOR WRAIR NAIROBI FOR WRAIR CAIRO FOR NAMRU-3 EUCOM FOR J5-A E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KHIV EAID SOCI TBIO CM SUBJECT: CLINTON FOUNDATION HIV/AIDS ACTIVITIES IN CAMEROON REF: STATE 84277 ¶1. (U) Summary. The Clinton Foundation has begun programs focusing on the provision of pediatric and second line antiretroviral (ARV) drugs through an agreement signed with the Government of Cameroon (GRC) in January 2007 and intends to launch a Gates Foundation-funded malaria component in the coming months. In a July 6 meeting, Clinton Foundation representatives told emboffs they are providing only in-kind and technical support to reduce exposure to graft. End summary. ¶2. (U) DCM and Pol/Econ officer met with Clinton Foundation Regional Manager Jonathan Vessey (based in Cotonou) and Elizabeth Radin (relocating soon to West/Central Africa) on July 6 to discuss the foundation's recent activities in support of HIV/AIDS relief efforts. The Clinton Foundation receives much of its funding from UNITAID (see Ref A),a financing mechanism for health and other support efforts initiated by France. The Clinton Foundation's primary focus in Cameroon is the distribution of pediatric ARV drugs, which it is performing pursuant to an MOU signed with the GRC in January 2007. It is also working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Cameroon, evaluating the GRC's capacity, testing networks of AIDS-related services, and training for laboratory technicians. The Foundation also provides diagnostics and follow-up testing, and is working on an awareness campaign to inform the public about the availability of medication and testing. The Clinton Foundation is also planning to begin work on a malaria initiative within the next few months, a project that is being funded in part by the Gates Foundation. According to Vessey, the Clinton Foundation does not have a Cameroon office, but is considering hiring additional support staff to support its Cameroon activities. ¶3. (U) Another Foundation initiative is to provide "second line drugs" (stronger medications) to patients for whom the first line is no longer effective. These medications can cost 10 to 50 times as much as the first line drugs, and very few patients receive them in Cameroon. One effort of the Foundation is to leverage commodity prices through bulk purchasing agreements, reducing them to a level at which the GRC and other African governments can afford to sustain the distribution programs on their own. ¶4. (U) The primary GRC point of contact for the Foundation is the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE),with whom they report having a good working relationship. They also work with the Chantal Biya Foundation to develop testing methods that can be effective for children under 18 months. The Clinton Foundation is providing chemicals and other supplies for the study as a stop-gap measure until the GRC can develop its own facilities. ¶5. (SBU) The Clinton Foundation representatives said they provide materials in kind rather than cash support to the GRC and strive to ensure transparency in the distribution of medications in an effort to discourage corruption and diversion of funds and resources. However, their ability to ensure the integrity of the program is limited. NELSON