Former U.S.
President George W. Bush touted his signature aid project for Africa during a visit
to Botswana on Tuesday, saying he hoped Washington would recognize its
importance in saving lives threatened by AIDS.
Launched in
2003 during the first Bush administration, PEPFAR, the President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief, is the world's largest provider of AIDS-fighting medicine
and has branched out over the years to include provision of services for
cervical cancer, which is linked to HIV infections in women.
U.S.
President Donald Trump has proposed steep cuts in the budget for diplomacy and foreign
aid but his administration has so far said it will "maintain current
commitments and all current patient levels on HIV/AIDS treatment" under
PEPFAR.
Bush,
visiting a clinic with his wife Laura that provides screening and treatment for
cervical cancer, said he hoped such commitments would remain.
"I hope
our government when they analyze what works around the world will understand
that PEPFAR has saved over 11 million lives," he said.
"And
while progress has been made we've got to continue to stay in this battle in
order to save lives. Every human life matters. And I hope the people of America
understand that through their generosity millions now live."
Bush said
cervical cancer was now the leading cause of death among women in Botswana, a
sparsely-populated southern African nation where one in five adults is infected
with HIV, according to the United Nations.
Bush, a
Republican, had historically low popularity ratings - about 33 percent - when
he left office.
But the
Obama ministration maintained PEPFAR and the program enjoys bipartisan support
- a rarity in Washington's polarized atmosphere.
Pink Ribbon
Red Ribbon, an initiative of the George W. Bush Institute, works with PEPFAR on
programs to reduce mortality rates among women from cervical and breast cancer
in developing countries.
(VOANews)
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