LONDON (AlertNet) - A non-profit group founded in Haiti nearly three decades ago to fight what was then a mysterious killer disease later identified as AIDS has been awarded the prestigious 2010 Gates Award for Global Health.
Judges lauded GHESKIO for its long-term impact, as well as its swift response to treat people injured in the Jan. 12 earthquake.
The group has provided ground-breaking clinical service, research and training, which has effectively prevented the spread of the HIV/AIDS and other related illnesses, said the Global Health Council, which announced the award at a symposium in Geneva on Monday.
Although GHESKIO's headquarters in Port-au-Prince was seriously damaged, it opened its doors to 7,000 suddenly homeless citizens, and opened a field hospital. Within a week of the earthquake, the group was able to ensure that 95 percent of those under care of HIV and tuberculosis were returned to their life-saving medications and care despite the destruction.
GHESKIO, which stands for Groupe Haïtien d'�tude du Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infectieuses Opportunistes, is led by Jean William (Bill) Pape, a Haitian native.
Pape has been one of the leading clinicians since the early days of the epidemic and was noted for achieving AIDS patient survival rates and treatment adherence that rival those of the most advanced hospitals and clinics in the United States and Europe.
In addition, the group's research has supported treatment and care of AIDS patients worldwide.
Prior to the earthquake, the GHESKIO network was providing palliative care to more than 50,000 HIV-infected patients and antiretroviral therapy to more than 13,500 - roughly 55 percent of all patients on AIDS treatment in Haiti
Â?GOOD FOR HAITIÂ?
"GHESKIO won this award because of the remarkable impact that Dr. Bill Pape and his colleagues have had in saving lives and strengthening the health system in Haiti," said Global Health Council President and chief executive officer Jeffrey L. Sturchio.
"They have built GHESKIO into a rare institution - one based in a developing country that has become a leader in the global research community. That dual character - world-class research capabilities tied to deep roots in the local community - is what sets GHESKIO apart and makes them the natural recipient of this recognition," he said.
He added: "Under Dr. Jean William Pape's extraordinary leadership, GHESKIO has shown what is possible in even the most difficult circumstances by working with and for affected communities.
Pape expressed his joy at winning the award: Â?I was overjoyed, particularly for our institution, but also for Haiti. Haiti has been on the bad list for so many things, so when good things like this happen, it is good for Haiti,Â? he said in an interview published on the GESHIKO website.
The Haiti earthquake, which killed more than 200,000 people was Â?heartbreakingÂ? for his institution, said Pape.
Â?We had people who died, most of our staff were living in makeshift tents, we had $10 million in damage. But what was important was to establish a mission. We stopped doing our training, we stopped enrolling patients in projects and we focused on patient care,Â? said Pape, who also is professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
The group will receive one million dollars as part of the award, which was established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to recognise organisations that have made outstanding contributions to improving health, especially in resource-poor settings. The winner was chosen by a jury of international health leaders from 179 nominations received from around the world.
GHESKIO was created in 1982 after Haitian physicians from different specialties began observing a rise in mortality rates from previously treatable diseases such as diarrhea and Kaposi's sarcoma.
Since its inception, GHESKIO has worked in close partnership with Weill Cornell Medical College, the Haitian Ministry of Health, the Haitian Medical Association and more than 100 public and private institutions in Haiti.
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