The Office of International and Refugee Health (OIRH) has oversight on health-related projects in 53 African countries. OIRH provides guidance and coordination on health policies and bilateral programs, in collaboration with Public Health Service agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and private/volunteer organizations. OIRH partners with USAID in 10 African countries under the Health and Human Resources Analysis for Africa (HHRAA) project in STD/HIV prevention, and emerging and re-emerging and other infectious diseases. Efforts are coordinated with experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. OIRH also serves as the coordinating arm for discussions on health between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Ministry of Health of South Africa. This health working group convenes in conjunction with bi-annual meetings of the Science and Technology (S&T) Committee, part of the Gore-Mbeki (U.S.-South Africa) Binational Commission. Contacts: Roscoe Moore, DVM, PhD (301) 443-9942 Isabel Ellis, MSW (301) 443-4010 |