The Middle Piece, a guest blog by Dr. Agnes Binagwaho

To mark World AIDS Day 2007, I visited with (RED) shareholders in Rwanda. Among the clients, caregivers and officials with whom I met, was Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS. Dr. Agnes epitomizes the amazing accomplishments of the country in strategy and spirit. She made several compelling points about the importance and impact of Rwanda's efforts to bring all stakeholders into the decison-making process around disease eradication and beyond. In doing so, she described (RED) as the "middle piece" to Rwanda's economic development. I asked her to describe in her own words what she meant. Below is her explanation. --Tamsin

With the first funds to finance the fight against AIDS, we reinforced our health system, improved access to care for communities and established a solid platform with strong leadership and a clear vision. However, two years ago we weren't sure that additional funds to support the HIV/AIDS work would be available to sustain our achievements. We were nervous that many of what we had built might crumble if the money dried up. This negative energy was dispiriting.

But then (RED) came. It was the "middle piece" upon which we could place the next floor of upward progress. (RED) monies ensured the sustainability of Rwanda's efforts. (RED) brought the positive energy back, allowing creativity and innovation to flow again.

Tackling HIV and AIDS is just a piece of the economic development puzzle. Fighting this disease – and defeating it – builds our capacity to address all the Millenium Development Goals. It makes us open-minded and open-hearted. In Africa, we need to share our experience and help each other.

(RED) gives Rwanda the peace of mind to do much more for our population and our neighbors in other countries, many of whom visit us to learn and collaborate to make our futures brighter.

Dr. Agnes Binagwaho is currently Rwanda's Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS. She is also a member of the expert panel of the Country Coordinating Mechanism in Rwanda for the Global Fund and the chair of the PEPFAR Steering Committee in Rwanda. She is member of several boards and foundations combating AIDS and infant mortality. Dr Binagwaho has also co-coordinated the Task Force of the Millennium Development Goal Project for HIV/AIDS on access to essential medicines.