US to launch Nursing Leadership Initiative across seven African countries
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US will on Monday launch the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Nursing Leadership Initiative across seven African contries to sustain gains and accelerate progress toward ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong – U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, overseeing the US State Department’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy – will launch the Plan.
A press release by the US Department of State said under the initiative, PEPFAR is providing $8 million in 2024 to support nurses at the forefront of the HIV/AIDS response in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.
It said in these seven partner countries, the initiative invests in activities that will enhance nurses’ skillsets to lead planning and delivery of HIV/AIDS services to curb disruptions in access to essential HIV services and help nurses to identify, advocate for, and leverage innovative digital solutions to enhance quality HIV service delivery.
It will also protect nurses by enhancing their infection prevention and control skills, providing supportive work environments, and supporting mental health needs; invest in the development, retention, and equitable distribution of the nursing workforce, aligned with each country’s national priorities, to ensure long-term sustainability of HIV service delivery; and enhance nurses’ communication and leadership skillsets.
"PEPFAR implementing partners will also support partner nursing organisations in the seven initiative countries to undertake a needs assessment to guide initiative activities," the press release said.
-0- PANA MA 25March2024
