Remarks

Ambassador Dennise Mathieu Remarks
Launch of the ARV Clinic at the Military Hospital in Grootfontein
Monday, 30 March

It is an honor to be here again, at the Namibian Defense Force Military Hospital in Grootfontein, this time for the official launch of the military’s first anti-retroviral (ARV) clinic.  I am pleased to see all of you, many of whom have travelled so far to witness this very important event.
 
I am extremely proud of the joint collaboration between the United States Government, through the Department of Defense, and the Ministry of Defense and Namibian Defense Force, to combat the spread of the HIV infection and to protect the Defence Force that protects this nation.  This clinic is a perfect example of what we have been able to accomplish as partners under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Ministry of Defense’s Military Action and Prevention Program (MAPP).

This partnership between the United States and Namibia is helping to build sustainable systems; improve prevention, care and treatment services; and empower civilians as well as the military to combat this HIV pandemic.

Last year in May, I attended the Ministry of Defense’s launch of the military condom – the Protector.  I understand that the Protector has become very popular, not only amongst the military, but amongst the civilian population as well. This shows that our joint efforts are paying off in ensuring that people can protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

I wish to commend you Honorable Minister in your leadership to fight this deadly epidemic.

As experience has shown in other countries, in order to turn the tide against the HIV threat, senior leaders and commanders must take charge and ensure that HIV programs are well-coordinated and effectively implemented at all levels.  Effective HIV programs depend on the development and implementation of strong policies that ensure firstly, that military personnel living with HIV are treated the same as those with other diseases – with neither stigma nor discrimination – and secondly, that infected military staff are assigned responsibilities in accordance with their ability to perform their duties and not their HIV status.  As military leaders and commanders, you must continue to steadfastly protect the safety and well-being of the men and women entrusted to your command.  And as you pass the legacy of a professional and dedicated force to the younger generation of future leaders, you will also pass a solid foundation for combating HIV.

The new Fountain of Hope facility provides an additional site on this base for soldiers to easily access HIV counseling and testing services. To those of you in the audience today who have not been tested, I call on you to join your 814 fellow military members tested last year and learn your current HIV status. Regardless of rank, gender, or age -- there is no time like today to KNOW YOUR STATUS.

I thank our partners, the International Training and Education Centre for HIV (I-TECH) and the Social Marketing Association (SMA) for their cooperation and work with the Department of Defense to implement the Military Action and Prevention Program. I-TECH has done a tremendous job in assisting the NDF to renovate and furnish the facility that we are inaugurating today.  And, I am confident that both I-TECH and SMA will continue implementing high quality services for the Namibian military.

PEPFAR funds for the renovation, training and procurement of laboratory equipment and other related materials amounts to N$2,8 million.  These funds were well spent because the Fountain of Hope will restore hope to many of our brothers and sisters who are living with HIV through the provision of top-notch health care services. In the case of HIV, however, success is not best measured by dollars spent.  Success is measured by infections prevented, lives saved, and comprehensive care services provided to military staff living with HIV, so that they remain active and productive members of the Defence Force, with a high quality of life.

May this clinic, as the name implies, give our colleagues and friends living with HIV, hope.  Let it become a place where any soldier, man or woman, will want to come without the fear of stigma or discrimination, and where confidentiality of information will be respected.  I urge you to take full advantage of the services offered by the Fountain of Hope because it is here to restore hope and to improve the quality of your lives. 

And now Honorable Minister, I am now pleased to hand over the ARV clinic registers and medical reference book for the Fountain of Hope.

 I thank you for your kind attention.