Setting the agenda for a busy day

August 10, 2009

The full Commission just met with representatives of the U.S. Embassy over breakfast. Dr. Helene Gayle and Ret. Admiral Fallon (Commission Co-Chairs) welcomed the Delegation and then turned it over to Warren "Buck" Buckingham, Country Coordinator for PEPFAR, and Kevin de Cock, incoming director of CDC Kenya.

The U.S. has funded for 5 years a unique project called the AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance, or APHIA II. It's designed to contribute substantively to the United States Government and Government of Kenya goals in HIV and AIDS, TB, and to a more limited extent, Reproductive Health/Family Planning, malaria and maternal and child health. "Integrated" is the key word: the project not only knits together strategic partners in each province of Kenya, but also the public health system and the communities they serve.

The Delegation will get a close-up look at projects made possible by APHIA II today and tomorrow. Right now it's digesting many of the key questions raised this morning such as where are the gaps in U.S. investments, how to sustain those investments into the future, and how to make sure they are being used effectively and efficiently.

The Delegation's about to split in half, with each group led by Dr. Gayle and Adm. Fallon. This blog is going to follow along with Adm. Fallon's group (both are going to the same places, just at different times, so they don't overwhelm the important work at each site).