Drug company millions to tackle HIV/AIDS

As part of its ongoing "Secure The Future" initiative to tackle HIV/AIDS in Africa, pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced the allocation of six new programme grants totalling US $30 million to the worst-affected countries in the continent. According to a recent statement by the company, the new allocation makes this initiative the most significant corporate commitment to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Bristol-Myers Squibb CEO, Peter Dolan, said: "Through Secure The Future, Bristol-Myers Squibb is helping to lead the global fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Our programme has pioneered the development of public-private partnerships that are benefiting the hardest-hit populations in Africa, especially women and children." Including the new allocation, the initiative had provided grants totalling $96 million to more than 150 programmes in nine countries in southern and western Africa. "Secure The Future is establishing a new paradigm for combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. The unique approach of offering both community and medical services is critically important to efforts to stem the devastation of this disease," Pearl Ntsekhe, a director in the Lesotho Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed.