ICEHA in the News

ICEHA Rolls-out Rwanda Clinical Mentor Initiative to Strengthen Local Health Workers’ Clinical HIV/AIDS Expertise

New York, NY – August 21, 2006 – The International Center for Equal Healthcare Access (ICEHA) announces deployment of its first team of clinical mentors to Rwanda in order to scale-up clinical expertise in HIV care amongst the local health workforce as well as assist with the set-up of necessary operational systems in the respective clinics. One physician, one nurse practitioner and one registered nurse will each spend 4 weeks in local clinics where they coach local colleagues on how to provide the best HIV care possible given existing resource limitations. The first team out of many to follow will be stationed at Ruli District Hospital, Ruhengeri District Hospital, Gasaza and Rwaza Health Centers.

“In order to rapidly provide HIV care to millions of people, it is essential to have practical clinical expertise amongst the local healthcare workforce. However, in many developing countries where antiretroviral therapy is new, the local workforce often has received only a 2 week didactic course on HIV care without time for building up practical skills, confidence and necessary operational systems,” explains Dr. Marie Charles, Chair and CEO of ICEHA. “ICEHA’s track record of fast and sustainable impact in 5 other developing countries has propelled the organization to replicate its clinical mentoring program in Rwanda as well. This team is the first of a series that will deploy to medical settings throughout Rwanda to transfer their practical skills directly to their counterparts using an innovative method of coaching, so our local colleagues can ultimately manage their patient load on their own.”

As a clinical mentor, western medical professionals have an immediate impact on the AIDS pandemic, and see the results of their actions instantly during their assignment.

In Rwanda, between 3.4% - 7.6% of the adult population is infected with HIV. The urban areas are more severely affected than rural areas but infection rates are increasing in rural areas. Approximately 35% of the people who need antiretroviral therapy (ART) actually receive it. ICEHA’s partners in Rwanda are The Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative and the Rwanda Ministry of Health.

ICEHA announces that openings for short-term volunteer clinical mentoring positions in Vietnam, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, China, and Lesotho are available throughout 2006-2007 for doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and social workers. Volunteer assignments are 6-12 weeks, all expenses are paid. Stipends are available for longer placements. Visit iceha.org or email Ms. Karina Glaser at for more information.

About The International Center for Equal Healthcare Access
The International Center for Equal Healthcare Access (ICEHA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated since in New Jersey and a registered charity in the UK. ICEHA's clinical mentoring programs are designed to rapidly scale up the HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention skills of local medical workforce within the existing resource limitations in their clinics. Typically within a few months hundreds if not thousands of patients have access to care when none existed before. Rwanda represents ICEHA’s 6th country program. ICEHA clinical mentors will enter three additional country programs in 2007 sending clinical mentors to 8 countries around the world.