The AbbVie Foundation has supported the Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) for more than a decade, and this last month saw the completion of two important projects in Constanta, Romania, and Lilongwe, Malawi, in southeastern Africa.
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Clinical Center of Excellence Expansion in Romania
AbbVie and the AbbVie Foundation (first as Abbott and Abbott Fund) sponsored the BIPAI Romania program since its launch 15 years ago, investing $7.7 million in programs and providing $35.9 million in medications in partnership with AmeriCares.
BIPAI Romania operates a clinical center of excellence in Constanta, three offices for rapid HIV testing and counseling in Constanta and Tulcea, and a protected housing complex for homeless youth.
The newly opened third-floor expansion (see time-lapse video of the construction) will help the facility extend programs to patients of all ages, including those with liver disease, hepatitis and tuberculosis.
Two Pediatric Wards Renovated in Malawi, Africa
The AbbVie Foundation and Abbott Fund invested more than $12 million in Malawi since 2004, including renovation of one of three pediatric wards at Lilongwe, Malawi’s Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in 2010.
Two renovated pediatric wards were formally reopened and a new pediatric hematology/oncology unit was dedicated this past week at KCH, expanding care and treatment to children in this underserved region. Renovations included a pediatric cancer observation deck and outpatient unit.
“We are honored to participate in these vital projects with the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital initiative,” said Melissa Walsh, vice president, AbbVie Foundation. “The Romania program has become the model for many pediatric centers of excellence around the world, and the Malawi program will impact children and their families living with blood cancer. We are proud to support the expansion of care for children with cancer.”
