The President’s Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a U.S. five year $15 billion global initiative to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Approved by the U.S. Congress in May 2003, this legislation is intended to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of the world.
Fifteen “focus” countries were identified as countries most at risk from HIV/AIDS. Vietnam is one of these countries and the only country so designated in S.E. Asia.
The Hawaii AIDS Clinical Research Program participation in PEPFAR is through the U.S. Pacific Command, Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CoE) of the U.S. Department of Defense.
Our role is specifically to train Vietnamese military physicians in HIV care and management to include the appropriate use of HIV drug therapy, and to provide expert assistance in the establishment of an HIV/AIDS care system within the Vietnamese military.
A series of HIV care workshop and clinic experiences will be held both in Honolulu, Hawaii and in Bangkok, Thailand. Our faculty members will also be traveling to Vietnam to conduct HIV training workshops and to assist in the development of HIV care programs for the Vietnamese military.