United States and Indonesia Expand Collaboration to Fight HIV/AIDS

JAKARTA – The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and global healthcare company Abbott, are collaborating to support Indonesia in increasing access to quality HIV/AIDS diagnostic and treatment services for those who need it.

Over 600,000 Indonesians live with HIV/AIDS, and transmission rates remain consistently high among key groups. Indonesia is committed to controlling the epidemic by achieving the UN 90-90-90 Treatment for All Targets to ensure that HIV is no longer a threat to public health. Abbott and USAID will accelerate Indonesia’s progress toward these targets by providing technology and resources so that more Indonesians can get tested for HIV– with a particular focus on Jakarta, where cases are highly concentrated.

“It’s a privilege to work with USAID and support Indonesia’s Ministry of Health to help meet the country’s 90-90-90 targets and fight HIV/AIDS effectively. Abbott has always been an early innovator, moving quickly to address health needs, such as developing the world’s first HIV test. Since 1994, our Global Viral Surveillance Programme has tracked HIV across six continents to help our tests keep pace with this evolving virus. Our technical know-how and innovative diagnostic testing will help Indonesia’s national reference laboratory network drive breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV,” said General Manager for Abbot’s molecular diagnostics business, Asia Pacific, Molecular Diagnostics Mahesh Natarajan.

“USAID recognizes Indonesia’s firm commitment to ensuring that all Indonesians living with HIV/AIDS have an equal chance to live long, healthy, and productive lives. We share this vision and are proud to enter into a new partnership with Abbott in this space. Together, we will strengthen the ability of Indonesia’s laboratories to provide quality HIV/AIDS diagnosis– an important step toward getting patients on treatment and the road to good health,” said USAID Indonesia Mission Director Erin E. McKee.

In support of Indonesia’s National Lab Strategic Plan, the Abbott and USAID partnership advances Indonesia’s self-reliance in HIV/AIDS diagnostic and treatment services by leveraging private sector expertise and commitment to innovative, dynamic, and sustainable solutions. This is just one of the U.S. Embassy’s health sector initiatives in Indonesia, which demonstrates the breadth of engagement under the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership.

ABOUT USAID
USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. Our work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and supports self-reliance and resilience. We have collaborated with Indonesia on HIV/AIDS elimination for over 15 years to bring HIV/AIDS treatment services to over 100,000 Indonesians.

ABOUT ABBOTT
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines. Our 103,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Connect with Abbott at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

For more information on USAID, visit http://indonesia.usaid.gov/ or contact USAID Communications Officer Swiny Andina at +62 (21) 5083-1000 or sandina@usaid.gov.