US embassy in Delhi celebrates major milestone in HIV, AIDS care

New Delhi [India], August 13 : The US Embassy in New Delhi, in partnership with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) marked a monumental milestone in providing care to over 2 million people across 46 countries worldwide.
According to an official release from the US Embassy, "The celebration underscored the remarkable progress made in the fight against HIV, and AIDS and recognized the US government's steadfast commitment to the cause in India."
This significant achievement was celebrated at the American Center in New Delhi with the participation of US government health officials and Manvendra Singh Gohil, who calls himself the "Gay Prince of India," alongside key opinion leaders from LGBTQI+ communities and NGO leaders.
Genessa Giorgi, the US Government Health Attache in India from Health and Human Services, welcomed the gathering, highlighting the long-standing collaborative efforts between the United States and India.
For over three decades, these efforts have been supported through the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in partnership with Government of India.
"It's heartening to see that AHF, a non-governmental organization that is based in Los Angeles, is playing an important role in the fight against HIV across 46 countries. Their work impacts over 2 million lives by supporting families, children and marginalized communities and by preventing millions of new infections through comprehensive prevention strategies," stated Genessa Giorgi.
"This milestone reaffirms our continued commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic and providing compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need," said Dr Sam Prasad Vazhamattam, Country Program Director of AHF India.
He also emphasized, "We need all hands on deck to end HIV/AIDS", during his opening remarks.
Manvendra Singh Gohil, Brand Ambassador for AHF, emphasised the importance of inclusive, universal access to life-saving drugs and the critical role of community leaders in driving change.
"Our collective efforts are crucial in advancing the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensuring that every individual receives the care and support they deserve," he said during the event.
The event featured a series of activities, including inspiring speeches, discussions and networking with prominent community leaders.
It also showcased the impact of AHF's work through the screening of the documentary "Keep the Promise."
In addition to Gohil, the event was attended by various government officials from the Indian Ministry of Health, international NGO leaders, representatives from foreign embassies, community and civil society leaders, and officials from the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).