Kenya: Kenya Breaks Ground On Public Health Laboratory and Administration Buildings

U.S. Supports Building of Central Reference Microbiology, HIV, and TB Laboratory and Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation Administration Building

The U.S. Embassy and the Kenya Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation invite the media to a groundbreaking ceremony of the new Central Reference Microbiology, HIV, and TB Laboratory and the new Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation Administration Building, which will take place at the National AIDS & STI Control Programme offices at the Kenyatta National Hospital campus on Friday, November 30, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

Speakers will include the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation Mark Bor, Director of Public Health and Sanitation Dr. Shahnaaz K. Sharif, Head of the Division of Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Willis Akhwale, and the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Isiah Parnell.

Where: National AIDS & STI Control Programme offices, Kenyatta National Hospital campus, off of Ngong Road.

When: November 30, 2012

10:00 a.m. Presentations and Groundbreaking ceremony

Media should be in place by 9:45 a.m.

Background: The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation has collaborated with the U.S. government in designing and constructing a Central Reference Microbiology, HIV, and TB Laboratory and Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation Administration Building. The new building will provide improved laboratory services for diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and other diseases, as well as effective management and administration of HIV programs, which are key to achieving an AIDS-Free Generation in Kenya.

The new buildings are being funded by the United States at the cost of 749 million Ksh (U.S. $8.8 million) through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with planning and technical support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). PEPFAR works with and through local and international organizations to provide comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for those living with AIDS. To date, the United States has provided over $2.8 billion dollars to the AIDS response in Kenya.

Media interested in attending are requested to contact Nadine Sunderland to RSVP: Nadine Sunderland, Health Communication Specialist, CDC/Kenya, 0724256806, [email protected]