U.S. GOVERNMENT PROVIDES $149 MILLION TO HIV/AIDS PROGRAM IN ZAMBIA

The U.S. government has committed approximately $149 million in support of the Zambian government's national program to fight HIV/AIDS -- a broad plan that will involve HIV-prevention education and increased access to antiretroviral (ARV) medications. The funding has been made possible through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), an initiative launched by President George W. Bush.

With the support of PEPFAR, the Zambian government was able to provide care and support services to over 300,000 Zambians last year, said Carmen Martinez, the U.S. ambassador to Zambia.

PEPFAR's worldwide goal is to place two million people on ARV treatment, to prevent seven million new HIV infections and to care for 10 million people infected with HIV by 2008.