Press Release: President Clinton Announces that the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative Will Become the Clinton Health Access Initiative
The New Clinton Health Access Initiative Will Continue to Make a Substantial Impact in the Fight Against AIDS and Continue Work in Additional Areas of Malaria and Health Systems
New York, N.Y. – While in office, President Clinton increased spending on HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment by 400 percent, tripling the United States’ funding for international AIDS programs. He also established a White House Office of National AIDS Policy and created a Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.
In 2002, building on that commitment to combat the disease, he began the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) to reduce the pricing of HIV/AIDS medicines and tests, and to work with governments around the world to further turn the tide on the disease by building the systems needed to deliver care and treatment.
In seven short years, President Clinton and the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative have made a substantial impact in the fight against HIV/AIDS: seven breakthrough price reductions, often by 50 percent, have been negotiated for drugs and diagnostics; more than 2 million people living with HIV/AIDS and on lifesaving treatment are using medicines purchased under CHAI agreements with manufacturers – including 2 out of every 3 children who are on HIV/AIDS treatment. CHAI's greatest accomplishment has been to work as a trusted partner to national governments, whose own efforts have made possible tremendous gains in HIV/AIDS services and public health.
In addition to programs focused on HIV/AIDS, CHAI has expanded in recent years to assist efforts to fight malaria, lowering the prices and improving access to malaria medicines. CHAI has also worked with a number of governments on improving the underlying systems needed to deliver comprehensive health care.
Given CHAI’s expansion and growth – with more than 600 staff members now working in 40 countries – President Clinton announced today that the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative will become, beginning in 2010, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI, the acronym remains unchanged), a separate nonprofit organization.
“The fight against AIDS is far from over, and we should not be distracted from the work that still lies ahead of us. I remain deeply committed to the patients who have come to rely on our ability to deliver lifesaving medications,” President Clinton said. “I’m proud that CHAI has grown to expand its portfolio to help the fight against malaria and to improve the way we build underlying systems to deliver comprehensive health care around the world,” he added.
The Clinton Health Access Initiative will carry on and expand the projects previously conducted through the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative and will continue working in association with governments and other NGO partners to expand access to care and treatment for HIV/AIDS and malaria, and to strengthen integrated health systems around the world. President Clinton will continue to lead CHAI as the chairman of its board, and CHAI will continue to work alongside the Clinton Foundation.
“CHAI’s impact on the lives of so many has been a source of great pride for President Clinton and for the Clinton Foundation,” Bruce Lindsey, chief executive officer of the William J. Clinton Foundation, said. “We see this as a natural evolution for CHAI and it is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff and volunteers, as well as our government and our nongovernment partners, all around the world who have helped put lifesaving medications in the hands of those who need it.”
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