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New U.S. Global Aids Coordinator Chooses Zambia for First Africa Visit

On October 10, 2006, Dr. Mark Dybul was publicly sworn in as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator with the rank of Ambassador. Ambassador Dybul will lead the U.S. government’s global efforts to implement President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). One week after his public swearing–in ceremony, Ambassador Dybul begins a three-day tour of HIV/AIDS programs and facilities in Zambia that are supported by PEPFAR funding. His visit, which begins Wednesday October 18, will take him to Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Livingstone.

While the U.S. supports HIV/AIDS programs in over 120 countries around the world, Zambia is the first PEPFAR “focus country” Ambassador Dybul will visit in his new role. Zambia is generally regarded among developing countries as having one of the most successful national Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) programs. The U.S. Department of Defense manages a successful PEPFAR-supported military-to-military HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs in cooperation with the Zambia Defense Forces. The U.S. Peace Corps HIV/AIDS prevention program here, also funded by PEPFAR, is the largest of its kind in the world, engaging volunteers throughout Zambia in prevention work.

Ambassador Dybul’s itinerary in Zambia includes meetings with new Cabinet Ministers, visits to hospitals, clinics, laboratories, a copper mine, and voluntary counseling and testing centers, and the launch of a radio serial drama in the Southern Province.

As one of PEPFAR’s fifteen focus countries, Zambia will receive $149 million in HIV/AIDS program support in 2006. Through the generous support of the American people, PEPFAR partners with 86 local organizations and works directly with the National AIDS Council (NAC), the Zambian Defense Force, and the Zambia Police, as well as eleven ministries, including Education, Community Development, Finance and National Planning, and Tourism.

“The Zambian people have made significant progress, especially in the national scale-up of treatment programs,” said Ambassador Dybul. “The American people are proud to stand with the people of Zambia in their fight against HIV/AIDS.”

Ambassador Dybul, who is also a medical doctor, has been with the U.S. Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator from its creation. Previous to his work with PEPFAR, he was the lead at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for President Bush’s International Prevention of Mother and Child HIV Initiative. Ambassador Dybul will be joined on the trip by Dr. Kent R. Hill, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Global Health. Dr. Ben Chirwa, the Director General of the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council will accompany Ambassador Dybul during his visit throughout the country.


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