The President of Aids Healthcare Foundation, AHF, Michael Weinstein, has said that they have provided HIV/AIDS medical care and services to more than one million (1,004,228) patients worldwide in the 31-year history of the organization.
A statement from AHF Nigeria spokesman, Steve Aborisade, states that Weinstein said it was “the most momentous achievement in the 31-year history of AIDS Healthcare Foundation and an achievement proudly shared by many, many dedicated staff, board members, partner organizations, volunteers, family, friends and patients”.
Weinstein, explained that half of the number was achieved within three years. He said “Just three short years ago, we marked 500,000 patients in care. To now reach over twice that number, one-million lives, is simply incredible.”
He however added that “there is still much more work to be done” so as “to bring more and more people into the lifeboat of care and treatment over the next five years.”
The Foundation’s Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr Echey Ijezie, expressed satisfaction with the work done in Nigeria while adding that they intend to achieve more by working with relevant stakeholders.
He said ‘‘As a Country Program, achieving AHF’s 20X20 target is dear to our minds, and we have no doubt it is a feat we will soon celebrate.’’
According to the statement the previous AHF Treatment Benchmarks they celebrated are: 500,000 in 2015, 250,000 in 2013 and 100,000 lives in care was celebrated in 2009.
It also added that they provide medical care and services in over 545 global treatment clinics in 40 other countries outside the US.