Masai for Africa campaign thanks National Union for ongoing support

'We continue to use your encouragement and spend these donated funds wisely to better the lives of the people of Lesotho fighting for their lives against the AIDS pandemic.' Executive Director Andy McDougall

Ottawa (5 Feb. 2009) - The Masai for Africa campaign has written to thank the National Union of Public and General Employees for its ongoing support for its work.

The letter from Executive Director Andy McDougall says that "Anne-Marie is very grateful for the ongoing support the campaign receives from NUPGE and its affiliated organizations.  We continue to use your encouragement and spend these donated funds wisely to better the lives of the people of Lesotho fighting for their lives against the AIDS pandemic."

The National Union's support for the campaign is part of the women's global solidarity efforts.  It came about after Dr. Anne-Marie Zadjlik spoke at the 2006 NUPGE conference "Building International Sisterhood."

Situation improving - slowly

McDougall points out that the situation is "slowly improving, as we get more and more people into treatment.  The Tsepong Clinic in Leribe now has over 15,000 patients under its direct care and is in the process of constructing a second clinic approximately 30 kilometres away in the town of Butha Buthe."

The building of rural clinics is seen as important to provide better access to treatment for many in the region. 

"These rural centres allow for patients to get HIV care up in the remote mountain regions where otherwise they would face onerous and expensive travels to reach the Tsepong Clinic."

While the construction of clinics is important the campaign is also concerned about developing the necessary skills to provide treatment.

"These rural centres are staffed by nurses, at least one of which is trained in the care and treatment of HIV positive people."

The National Union is pleased that it's contribution is helping the Masai for Africa campaign help so many HIV positive people in Lesotho. 

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE