Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08YAOUNDE1104
2008-11-10 10:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yaounde
Cable title:  

CAMEROON: REQUEST FY09 PEPFAR FUNDS FOR TREATMENT

Tags:  KHIV PREL CM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0006
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHYD #1104 3151016
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101016Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9411
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
UNCLAS YAOUNDE 001104 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR AMBASSADOR DYBUL - OGAC

STATE FOR OGAC and AF/C
CDC ATLANTA ALSO FOR NCHSTP GAP - COGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV PREL CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: REQUEST FY09 PEPFAR FUNDS FOR TREATMENT

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 001104

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR AMBASSADOR DYBUL - OGAC

STATE FOR OGAC and AF/C
CDC ATLANTA ALSO FOR NCHSTP GAP - COGH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV PREL CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: REQUEST FY09 PEPFAR FUNDS FOR TREATMENT


1. (U) This message contains an action request for OGAC.


2. (U) The USG has the opportunity to assume responsibility for
ongoing anti-retroviral treatment (ART) program for about 5,500 men,
women and children in the regions hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic
in Cameroon. The Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC),a faith-based
organization with an established record of working successfully with
the USG and the Government of Cameroon (GRC),began providing ART
and other services (PMTCT, palliative care) in September 2004, with
central funding from USAID, channeled through Columbia University.
Although there was an initial commitment from Columbia to provide
lifelong treatment, CBC officials learned in 2007 that Columbia was
unable to secure additional funding, although it is exploring
$100,000 in possible bridge funding in 2009. The CBC has leveraged
support for treatment from the Global Fund to expand its programs in
recent years; as of now, the CBC's operating budget covers the
supporting infrastructure and the medicines themselves are covered
by Global Fund grants to the GRC.


3. (U) If CBC is unable to secure funding to continue its
programs, the continued treatment for those 5,500 individuals will
be in doubt. Although ART is theoretically free in Cameroon, less
than 25 percent of patients who require ART (about 186,000) actually
receive it (46,000),according to data collected by the US Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. CBC officials told the
Ambassador on October 30 that they could continue to current level
of treatment through the end of 2009 for about $300,000. To
continue the current rate of scaling up the program, they would need
about $500,000.


4. (SBU) In my view, the CBC's dilemma (and Columbia's untimely
withdrawal) presents an excellent opportunity for the USG to pick up
an already-proven, world-class treatment program at very reasonable
cost. Stepping in now to support this program supports USG
objectives on a number of levels:

--merge almost 6,000 new patients on treatment into PEPFAR
instantly, with relatively low cost and no start-up hassle;

--put the nascent PEPFAR program in Cameroon on strong footing,
working with a solid, proven partner in CBC;

--avoid the public health risk involved with throwing thousands of
people into uncertainty regarding their treatment;

--create synergies with Global Fund programs providing treatment
support in Cameroon;

--demonstrate, yet again, the commitment of the American people,
through the USG, to provide life-saving treatment to men, women and
children afflicted by HIV/AIDS.


5. (SBU) Action request to OGAC: I urge OGAC to consider the
feasibility of providing immediate support of $500,000 to CBC to
enable them to continue their excellent treatment program,
maintaining the 5,500 patients already on ART and continuing their
current rates of scale-up. Ideally, such funding would be available
for use by CBC in January 2009. End action request to OGAC.


6. (U) Point of contact for this request is Political/Economic
Chief Scott Ticknor at TicknorSB@state.gov

GARVEY