2007 Auxillia Chimusoro Awards

Remarks by James D. McGee, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, on the occasion of the 2007 Auxillia Chimusoro Awards Ceremony at National Gallery of Zimbabwe Harare,

November 29th 2007

Honorable Dr. Parirenyatwa, Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr . Owen Mugurungi, National Coordinator of the Ministry of Health AIDS and TB Unit, Dr. Tapuwa Magure, Executive Director of the National AIDS Council, Reverend Kuchera, Chairman of the National AIDS Council, Jestina Mukoko, our distinguished Master of Ceremonies of the Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust, members of the Chimusoro family, other donors and officials, partners, and welcome guests. I am very proud and honored to be with you today in what is one of my first engagements since my arrival in Zimbabwe.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic poses one of the greatest development and social challenges the world has ever faced and as we know, Africa has been most affected. We are all the poorer for those who we have lost to this disease.

It is estimated that 33 million people worldwide are affected by HIV/AIDS, with 23 million living in sub-Saharan Africa. 

The latest estimate for Zimbabwe says 15.6% of Zimbabweans live with this condition.Since the start of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, a great deal of discrimination has been associated with this public health and developmental crisis. However, many very responsive initiatives have been put in place to combat the spread of HIV with considerable financial and human resource support from the US Government and others.

The US Government’s commitment to combating HIV and AIDS is demonstrated through the level of funding provided under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a 15 billion dollar initiative. 

Our continuing commitment is evident in the legislation now under consideration to continue this effort. Thanks to the US – Zimbabwean partnership in this sector, strong HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs are having an impact, as evidenced by the downward trend in the HIV prevalence. 

Today’s Auxillia Chimusoro awards, is an occasion that honors the results of the strong partnership between the US Government and the committed leaders and people of Zimbabwe. 

Results have been achieved through the work of talented and dedicated people in-country, including faith based, community-based, and other humanitarian organizations.  As we congratulate the Auxillia Chimusoro awardees, I make a special appeal to all of you to continue to save and improve the lives of as many people as we can. 

At the same time, we must also look to the future and sustain an effective and multi-faceted response to HIV and AIDS. As we celebrate the awardees we must acknowledge their dedication and commitment.

At the same time let us honor the thousands of other individuals who are the heart and soul of numerous efforts in mitigating HIV/AIDS.  All of your work is vital and I want to thank you personally for the sacrifices you are making. I want to share with you my own conviction that we can all make a difference in fighting HIV and AIDS. 

Every day, the US Government and our partners are learning best practices that are benefiting the entire world in the battle against AIDS.  But it will take continued foresight, commitment, prudent use of resources, and strong leadership to win convincingly. The US Government remains committed to assisting in this effort.

As we continue our efforts, in our hearts and minds, we must emulate Auxillia’s bravery, her resolute conviction against stigma.  As this one woman made a monumental difference that we recognize and honor here today, so can we all.

I thank you...