U.S. Department of State, Turning the Tide Against AIDS in Zimbabwe

Turning the Tide Against AIDS in Zimbabwe

Dan Rutz, former CNN senior medical reporter and current Associate Director of Communication Science Dan Rutz of National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), poses for a photograph with the Women Journalist Mentoring Program participants during a breakfast session he offered to them while in Zimbabwe on November 6, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Megan Petersen servers as the PEPAR Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe.

As we approach World AIDS Day, which we mark on December 1, I wanted to share a little bit about how we are carrying out the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in Zimbabwe.

Every Tuesday morning, the Zimbabwe PEPFAR team gathers. Our meeting consists of colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the embassy’s public affairs section, the Global Fund, the Deputy Chief of Mission, and the PEPFAR Coordinator’s office. Our discussions are focused on the state of the world through the lens of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe.

I am always impressed every Tuesday by the passion and expertise each of my colleagues brings to the table, the variety of programs we are managing on… more »