Offices and Departments

CDC Rwanda

Background

About CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States Government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves.

Since it was founded in 1946 to help control malaria, CDC has remained at the forefront of public health efforts to prevent and control infectious and chronic diseases, injuries, workplace hazards, disabilities, and environmental health threats. Today, CDC is globally recognized for reducting research and investigations and for its actions ariented approach. CDC applies research and findings to improve people's daily lives and responds to health emergencies-something that distinguishes CDC from its peer agencies.

CDC is committed to achieving true improvements in people's health. To do this, the agency is defining specific health impact goals to prioritize and focus its work and investiments and measure progress.

About CDC Rwanda

Under the direction of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator's Office, Department of Health and Human Services CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP) is a proud partner in the unified federal government effort to implement President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. GAP helps resource-constrained country prevent HIV infection; improve treatment, care, and support for people living with HIV; and build capacity and infrastructure to address the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. The CDC office in Rwanda works exclusively on the PEPFAR program in collaboration with other USG agencies including the State Department, USAID, and DOD.

The Center for Disease Control and Privention (CDC) Global AIDS Program (GAP) in Rwanda officially opened in september 2002 making Rwanda one of 25 countries in which CDC/GAP is contributing to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The program is a collaboration between the United States Governement and the Rwandan Ministry of Health (MOH). Other CDC/GAP partners in Rwanda include the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Columbia University, Sanquin, TRAC, and Tulane University.