AID FOR AIDS International Announces Donation of Pediatric Antiretroviral Medication to Central America

NEW YORK, NY (June, 2007):

Earlier this summer, AID FOR AIDS International donated almost $100,000 worth of pediatric antiretroviral (ARV) medication to the governments of Guatemala, Panama, and El Salvador. This medication was donated directly to the Ministry of Health in each country and will be distributed by each country’s National AIDS Program. This donation represents the latest effort of AID FOR AIDS and its Universal Treatment Access Initiative to provide medication to populations living with HIV and AIDS in developing countries.

Donation Specifics. The Ministry of Health in Guatemala received more than 750 bottles of medication, totaling over $1,000 worth of two types of pediatric antiretroviral medication. Because Guatemala has one of the largest epidemics in the region, and because they are currently experiencing a severe shortage in antiretroviral medication, this donation was of particular importance.

El Salvador received the largest donation, totaling more than 2,600 bottles of three different pediatric medications, valued at more than $13,000. It is estimated that only 5% of individuals receiving ARVs in El Salvador are children living with HIV (source: the Global Fund). AID FOR AIDS hopes their donation can be used to initiate additional children to treatment, extending the lives of these young individuals.

It is estimated that only 5% of individuals receiving ARVs in El Salvador are children living with HIV (source: the Global Fund). AID FOR AIDS hopes their donation can be used to initiate additional children to treatment, extending the lives of these young individuals.

Panama received 2,000 bottles of pediatric medication, totaling over $83,000 worth in treatment. This donation was worth considerably more than the other donations because the medication was brand name antiretrovirals, while the donations to the other two countries were generic formularies.