15th November, 2011
PRESS RELEASE: Dr. Noerine Kaleeba, 'Angel of Africa'- Visit to London commemorating 30th Anniversary of World AIDS Day.
The African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) is an international not-for-profit organisation run for Africans by Africans. Headquartered in Nairobi, AMREF works in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal and Uganda.
Founded as the Flying Doctor Service of East Africa in 1957, AMREF today is Africa's leading health development organisation, saving and transforming people’s lives in the continent's poorest and most marginalised communities.
To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of World AIDS Day AMREF has organised a unity event on 1st December ‘Africa’s health in Africa’s hands’ aimed at reaching out to Africans in the Diaspora. This event will be held at AMREF's offices: AMREF UK, Clifford’s Inn, Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1BZ
For over 50 years, AMREF has successfully developed community-based health care models and programmes with African communities seeking solutions to Africa’s priority public health challenges, such as maternal and reproductive health and rights, child health, safe water, malaria, TB and HIV and AIDS. Communities are at the heart of AMREF’s approach, as AMREF believes that the power for lasting health change in Africa truly lies within her communities
The unity event will showcase AMREF’s work; there will be speeches and presentations from AMREF’s senior team, attendees will have the chance to find out how they can join AMREF in working towards their vision of ‘better health for Africa’.
Dr Kaleeba will be the keynote speaker, an inspiring Ugandan who has been a governance member of several prestigious bodies, including the Uganda AIDS commission, the WHO Global Commission on HIV/AIDS, Marie Stopes International, Chair of Action Aid International Board and is now Deputy Chair of AMREF.
“I am extremely excited about this event and I believe it will be a great opportunity to discover the potential for Africans in the Diaspora, in supporting and contributing to healthcare solutions in Africa”. In 2005 Dr Noerine Kaleeba, was aptly named, “The Angel of Africa” in a ceremony at the University of Dundee in Scotland, where she also received a Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of her tireless work promoting the needs of HIV/Aids sufferers.
Belinda Coote, CEO of AMREF in the UK will be presenting AMREF’S UK priorities and highlighting the work conducted in the UK.
‘As an African Organisation AMREF speaks with a unique voice that represents the real health challenges of real people in Africa – I therefore call upon Africans in the Diaspora to join us and to raise our voices for better health for Africa’ – Belinda Coote , CEO AMREF in the UK
ENDS
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
1. To interview Dr Kaleeba or to attend the event, please contact Nini Olorunoje, Account Executive (press & communications) Rich Visions on 0208 555 2200 or nini@richvisions.co.uk
2. For more information Christine Kaleeba, Communications Assistant, AMREF UK on 0207 269 5520 or c.kaleeba@amrefuk.org
3. AMREF Launch Event for African Diaspora
On Thursday 1st December, the 30th Anniversary of World Aids Day event will be held on at AMREF's offices AMREF UK, Cliffords Inn, Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1BZ
4. About AMREF
AMREF’s office in the UK fundraises for our work in Africa as well as raising the profile of Africa’s health challenges through campaigning, advocacy and communications work. www.amrefuk.org
5.
Dr Noerine Kaleeba has made a significant difference in the lives of people affected by HIV/’AIDS not only in Uganda, but also at political and strategic levels throughout the world. Noerine who was once described by one Scottish daily as the “angel of Africa” is globally recognised for her efforts in facilitating meaningful involvement of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, which is believed to be one of the key pillars of Uganda’s relative success in addressing the AIDS pandemic.
Dr Kaleeba is a trained a physiotherapist, specialising in orthopaedics and community rehabilitation. In 1987, Noerine and 15 friends, all of whom had been affected by HIV/AIDS started a support group which blossomed into a pioneer movement to address stigma, restore hope and dignity of people and families living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO Uganda). As its first director, Noerine developed TASO into a global model of HIV prevention, AIDS care and support. Since its inception, TASO has provided care for over 200,000 Ugandans, with 11 service centres across Uganda.
Dr Kaleeba has been awarded several international awards in recognition of her national and global anti-AIDS efforts, including The Belgian King Baudouin Prize for Development, awarded to TASO in 1995, the Senegalese Order of the Lion 1991, as well as three Honorary Doctorates from Nkumba University in Uganda 2000, Dundee University, Scotland, and the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Geneva, Switzerland. She has been a Knight of the Republic of Italy since June 2009, and has served on various national and international bodies, including the World Health Organization’s Global Commission on HIV/AIDS, the Global AIDS Policy Coalition and the Uganda AIDS Commission.
Dr Kaleeba is now a consultant based in Uganda working closely in a voluntary role with AMREF as the Deputy Chair of the International Board of Directors