The bill still needs co-sponsorship!  Call or write  your Senator today to encourage them to co-sponsor.  This legislation is an important step in ensuring the success of U.S. investments in the fight against global AIDS.

 To reach your Senator, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak to your Senator’s office.

For more information visit Global Aids Alliance.

Background:

While the U.S. has made historic investments in the fight against global AIDS,  the critical shortage of health care workers and weak health systems remain key bottlenecks to scaling up access to AIDS treatment in resource poor settings. Sustained commitment and creative action are necessary to develop and support the health workforce needed to secure the right to health and achieve universal access to AIDS treatment by 2010, as well as other international health goals.

Experts estimate that sub-Saharan Africa needs at least one million new health workers to meet essential health needs.  Now is the time for the U.S. to continue its promises and invest significant new resources to recruit, train, support, and effectively utilize health workers in Africa. The U.S. should work with the needs of individual countries to strengthen their health care infrastructure. 

The U.S. must invest in (a) long-term strategic planning; (b) strengthening and expanding capacity of health training institutions; (c) retaining health workers through adequate compensation, safe and improved work conditions, stronger supervision, continuing education, and care including AIDS treatment; (d) human resource and fiscal management; (e) equitable distribution including incentives to work in underserved areas; (f) re-deploying unemployed health workers.

Funding should be predictable and long-term, flowing directly to the public sector and local NGO and faith-based care providers as appropriate. The U.S. should also support effective regional and global initiatives.