The AIDS Institute (TAI) and the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) issued a joint statement praising the success of meetings held recently between Jorge A. Saavedra, MD, Director General of the National Center for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS (CENSIDA), and prominent administrators as well as key members of the U.S. Congress.
During his Jan. 25-30 visit to Washington, D.C., Saavedra and prevention staffer Hector Escamilla, joined by TAI and NMAC staff members, participated in meetings with prominent leaders ranging from congressman Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz. to the National Institutes of Health AIDS research staff to Adolfo Franco, an assistant administrator with the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Dr. Gene Copello, executive director of TAI, said that ‘ [t] he visit opened doors to Congress and the Administration for a better understanding of the Mexican AIDS epidemic and border health issues.’
He also stated that the hope is that ‘the U.S. government will review international AIDS policy and help to improve HIV/AIDS care in Mexico.’