Latest news with #PenninahIutung
Business Wire
11-07-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Global Solutions Take Center Stage with AHF at AIDS Conference in Rwanda
KIGALI, Rwanda--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, will remind the world that HIV/AIDS is not over by showcasing its innovative, client-centered approaches to the prevention, care and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025), taking place in person and virtually July 13–17 in Kigali, Rwanda. AHF will host two dynamic chats at its booth during the conference (and livestream them on its Facebook page), with each focusing on urgent challenges in the global HIV and STI responses: The Retention Riddle: Tackling the Toughest Barrier to Ending HIV: This session will explore proven strategies for ensuring people living with HIV stay connected to care and treatment services, a critical factor in achieving sustained viral suppression and ending the epidemic. AHF Wellness Centers: Groundbreaking Solutions for a Growing STI Crisis: As STI rates climb worldwide, AHF's Wellness Centers offer a replicable, prevention-first model for delivering no-cost, stigma-free sexual health services. The session will examine global trends in STI transmission and how AHF is responding through targeted outreach, integrated care, and condom promotion and normalization. WHAT Fireside Chat – The Retention Riddle: Tackling the Toughest Barrier to Ending HIV at the IAS 2025 WHEN Monday, July 14 at 3:30 p.m. CAT WHERE Kigali Convention Centre – AHF Booth 101, Kigali, Rwanda WHO Dr. Lambert Rangira, Country Program Manager, AHF Rwanda Dr. Mona-Gekanju Toeque, Western Regional Medical Director, AHF U.S. Tamara Prinsenberg, PhD, Advocacy & Policy Manager, AHF Europe Expand AND WHAT Fireside Chat – AHF Wellness Centers: Groundbreaking Solutions for a Growing STI Crisis at the IAS 2025 WHEN Wednesday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. CAT WHERE Kigali Convention Centre – AHF Booth 101, Kigali, Rwanda WHO Dr. Carl Millner, Chief Medical Officer, AHF U.S. Dr. Fernanda Fernandes Fonseca, AHF Associate Global Medical Director Kritsiam Arayawongchai, Country Program Director, AHF Thailand Dr. Salome Tuyisenge, Regional Medical Officer, AHF Rwanda Expand AHF's Africa Bureau Chief, Dr. Penninah Iutung, will also take part in a high-level satellite session titled "Leading the Way: Rwanda's Groundbreaking Achievements in Reaching UNAIDS Global HIV Targets Ahead of Time." The session highlights Rwanda's exceptional progress in reaching HIV/AIDS targets—demonstrating how sustained political commitment, inclusive policies, and community-led approaches can drive historic public health outcomes and the impact of global partnerships in achieving progress. 'HIV is not over. We must double down on efforts to stop new infections, identify undiagnosed cases, and retain patients in care,' said Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief. 'Across 48 countries, AHF is proving that innovative care models, strong partnerships, and community-driven outreach can make a lasting difference—but governments and health systems everywhere must act with urgency and commitment if we're to end HIV as a global public health crisis.' AHF will also present over a dozen abstract posters at IAS 2025, showcasing its extensive work globally to improve HIV prevention and care. Topics span innovative strategies for re-engaging clients in care, mobile treatment delivery, mental health integration, gender-sensitive programming, and AI-supported PrEP services. These studies reflect AHF's commitment to scalable, client-centered solutions across diverse settings and communities, particularly those most at risk. IAS 2025 in Kigali is open to all in-person and virtual conference registrants. Visit the official website for more information. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 2.4 million clients in 48 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: find us on Facebook: and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare
Business Wire
30-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
AHF Urges Vaccine Equity as Mpox Cases Surge in Sierra Leone
KAMPALA, Uganda--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Sierra Leone grapples with the rapid escalation of mpox cases, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) calls for urgent global action to improve vaccination efforts for the response, including Bavarian Nordic lowering the price of the vaccine and transferring technology and know-how to regional manufacturers. AHF also urges wealthy nations to donate vaccine doses from existing stockpiles. Sierra Leone accounted for 41% of the continent's cases as of June 24. Since January 10, the country has recorded 4,350 confirmed cases and 28 deaths. Since late March, only 40,000 people had been vaccinated, many of them frontline healthcare workers and high-risk groups, including people living with HIV. With limited isolation capacity and just two contacts traced per confirmed case, the response is stretched thin. According to the Africa CDC, more than 6.4 million vaccine doses are needed across the region to meet demand, yet access remains restricted by high prices and limited supply. 'We commend Sierra Leone's rapid response in collaboration with the Africa CDC, but they—and the entire region—should not have to fight this outbreak alone,' said Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief. 'We urge high-income countries to immediately release vaccine doses from their reserves and support equitable access to prevention tools. We also call on Bavarian Nordic to reduce the cost of its Jynneos mpox vaccine and to share technology and production knowledge with qualified African manufacturers. Without affordable regional production and greater global collaboration, the world remains vulnerable to preventable infectious disease outbreaks like mpox.' The outbreak extends far beyond Sierra Leone, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo remaining as the epicenter of Africa's outbreak. Uganda, Burundi, Malawi, and over a dozen other countries have also reported significant case numbers. The World Health Organization continues to classify mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, citing surging cases, ongoing vaccine shortages, and rising instability. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 2.4 million clients in 48 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: find us on Facebook: and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare
