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Drew CARES |
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Drew Center for AIDS Research, Education, and Services |
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International Programs |
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The Drew Center for AIDS Research, Education and Services (Drew CARES), directed by Eric G. Bing, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., is an HIV research and clinical center. We develop international and domestic programs devoted to combating and treating HIV. The Drew CARES team of international researchers includes Daniel Ortiz, Ph.D., Karen Cheng, Ph.D., and Ricardo Ovalle-Bahamón, C. Phil.
As part of our commitment to underserved people around the world, we do our work in such a way that it empowers communities. We work closely with governmental and non-governmental organizations, such as the Portuguese Institute for Preventive Medicine (IPMP) and the armed forces of Angola, Namibia and Rwanda, to transfer knowledge and skills so that their HIV programs can save lives and become self-sustaining.
At Drew CARES, we take a multifaceted and systematic approach to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In sub-Saharan Africa, we have programs in HIV prevention, treatment, and monitoring and evaluation.
International Offices
The Drew CARES office in Angola is located at :
Rua Comandante Gika, #10 Luanda, Angola tel: 011.244.222.35.12.17
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Research and Services |
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defenses in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. In Angola, we have trained over 200 peer advocates who have gone out to reach more than 40,000 military personnel through HIV prevention workshops and condom distributions. In addition, we conducted focus groups and interviews to develop culturally appropriate posters, comic books, and information Brochures that disseminate HIV prevention messages. |
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Drew CARES has implemented a variety of prevention programs - primary |
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Four of these sites are in the capital city of Luanda and one each in the rural regions of Dundo and Soyo. These clinics provide HIV and STI testing to over 2,000 people each month in total. The skilled, local staff at each clinic play a vital role in educating community members about HIV prevention, transmission, and testing. We are also working with the Namibian armed |
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We are setting up six HIV voluntary counseling and testing sites (VCT) in Angola accessible by both civilians and military personnel. |
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forces to increase their VCT activities throughout the country. |
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We develop programs to train local health providers to effectively and |
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compassionately care for people infected with HIV/AIDS in order to give hope to those infected and to de-stigmatize the disease. Over the past three years, Drew CARES has brought five Angolan medical personnel to Los Angeles for specialized training in HIV treatment, testing, and epidemiology. In the fall of 2004, the director of the public health division with in the Angolan military came to the US to study for a Masters in Public Health, focusing on epidemiology.
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We also send American health professionals to Namibia and Rwanda to train local health providers in HIV/AIDS treatment and mental health care. |
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The strength of our work comes from the commitment and innovation of our team. We are proud to stand together with our partners to fight HIV/AIDS in underserved communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa. |
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From Left to Right: Andrea Curreri, Eric G. Bing (Drew CARES-Director), and Ricardo Ovalle-Bahamon at the Drew CARES office in Angola. |
