Press Roundtable on HIV

Jolly Sassa asks relevant question

Ambassador Garvelink’s monthly press roundtable took place on May 21 at the Ambassador’s Residence.  The subject was HIV/AIDS, specifically U.S. Government programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

After his opening remarks introducing the topic and providing background about the U.S. Government’s long-term commitment to fight HIV/AIDS in the DRC , the Ambassador opened the floor to questions from the journalists.  The roundtable panel included Stephen Haykin, USAID mission director, Dr. Luca Flamingi, Chief of Party for the Centers for Disease Control, Olivier Kalombo, representing the Department of Defense’s health programs, Dr. Laurent Kapesa, HIV program Management Specialist, Dr. Faustin Malele, Monitoring and Evaluation Program Manager, and Katya Thomas, Public Affairs Officer.

The purpose of the event was to outline the Embassy’s HIV/AIDS programs, particularly the President’s The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).   By having the officials directly responsible for programs speaking on the record, journalists were able to have their questions answered in depth and detail.   Reporters from local newspapers, as well as television and radio stations, asked about strategy, budgeting, programs, implementation, public outreach, and how these activities were coordinated with the local government.   At the end, all journalists in attendance were given a “goody bag” filled with material promoting Rien Que La Verite, the hit television drama supported by the Embassy and used to promote positive messages about health, women’s issues and family life.