Abbott donates HIV diagnostic tests

Abbott, together with Abbott Fund, has announced an expansion to its commitment to improve healthcare services in Tanzania, with a focus on widening the access to HIV testing and treatment in the country.

The company has stated that Abbott Fund will work in conjunction with the government to modernise local hospital laboratories nationwide, with the firm donating one million rapid HIV diagnostic tests.

It adds that these plans follow an investment of $50 million (25 million pounds) in Tanzania as part of a unique partnership between the public and private sectors, with Abbott involved in improving the testing and treatment of HIV.

It is claimed that a third of HIV patients in Tanzania currently receiving treatment have benefited in some way from support from the Abbott Fund.

Miles D White, chairman and chief executive officer of Abbott, said: “I’m proud to stand here today, five years since my first visit to Tanzania, to see how far we’ve come. Yet I recognise the work ahead of us.”

He added that the launch of these new programmes combined with the recent opening of a corporate foundation office at Dar es Salaam highlights the firm’s dedication to collaborating with the people and government of Tanzania.

Last month, Abbott reported that its Dar es Salaam office would be led by Christy Wistar and have the goal of identifying and supporting innovative means of responding to HIV.