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UGANDA: HIV/AIDS training institute opened

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

KAMPALA, 21 October (PLUSNEWS) - One of the largest HIV/AIDS training centres in Africa has been opened in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. The institute is designed to treat people suffering from AIDS and train more than 250 health professionals annually on how best to care for those infected with HIV.

Pfizer, one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, funds the Infectious Disease Institute (IDI), which cost US $15 million to build.

"The Infectious Disease Institute marks a dramatic advance in addressing the public health needs of sub-Saharan Africa," said Hank McKinnell, Pfizer's chief executive, during the official inauguration of the centre on Wednesday. The centre started receiving patients in April.

"Scientists in Uganda did well to dream about this grand idea of the institute, but without resources from Pfizer, this would have remained a dream," said Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni.

McKinnell told reporters after the opening of the centre that corruption and red tape had hampered the firm's philanthropy initiatives in Africa. "Bureaucracy continues to frustrate us in many countries," he said.

"We have not moved to many African countries due to corruption, especially in West and North Africa," said McKinnel. He added that in some countries, drugs given for free had ended up being offered for sale in private pharmacies.

[ENDS]