Tanzania : BikeTown Africa to deliver bikes to healthcare workers treating HIV/AIDS

I always find it interesting when I hear about effective small scale projects, particularly health initiatives. In my mail this morning was a press release (see below) about an ongoing project by Bicycling magazine to provide bicycles for healthcare workers in rural areas of Africa.  BikeTown Africa is a partnership between Bicycling Magazine, Rodale Press, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Kona Bicycle Company and UTi. The project donates bicycles to healthcare workers in Africa, particularly those involved in HIV/AIDS related work.

In Its Fourth Year, Bicycling’s BikeTown Africa Continues to Help Systemically Increase the Number of HIV/AIDS Patients Treated

Emmaus, PA (November 24, 2009) – Bicycling magazine, published by Rodale, announced that its BikeTown Africa program will be bringing bikes to healthcare workers in Tanzania on World AIDS Day 2009.  Once again, Kona Bicycling Company, Bristol Myers Squibb’s SECURE THE FUTURE®, and the Uti Charitable Foundation have partnered to make the annual BikeTown Africa program possible.

BikeTown Africa, the non-profit, international expansion of Bicycling’s seven-year-old BikeTown USA program, was created to help healthcare workers with the delivery of home health aids and services in Africa’s rural and remote areas.

“BikeTown Africa brings bikes to healthcare workers, making it possible for them to reach HIV/AIDS patients living in remote areas that would ordinarily be inaccessible without a bike,” said Loren Mooney, editor in chief, Bicycling magazine. “In Africa, bikes are more than just transportation, they help to save lives by bringing treatment and education to people living in rural communities with no access to care. Bicycling is grateful that Bristol Myers Squibb’s SECURE THE FUTURE, Kona Bikes, and the Uti Charitable Foundation continue to make BikeTown Africa possible through their support.”

Dr. Travis Stork, host of the syndicated talk show The Doctors, will join BikeTown Africa in Kibaha for World AIDS Day. “As a physician and avid cyclist, I know the health benefits a bike can bring,” said Dr. Stork. “In Africa, a bike brings much needed access to healthcare and health education to people who live far from a town or even running water. Being able to bring bikes to these communities and see first hand how they’ll be used is a humbling experience and not one I’ll forget easily.”

BikeTown Africa will begin its program in Tanzania this year on World AIDS Day beginning in the community of Kibaha and then continue to Bukoba. In these rural parts of Tanzania, nearly 400 bicycles will be distributed to AIDS prevention organizations committed to fighting against HIV transmission, caring for HIV/AIDS-affected people and promoting development. Earlier this year, BikeTown Africa donated almost 300 bikes to healthcare workers providing care and education to people afflicted with HIV/AIDS and other diseases in the Orange Farm township of South Africa.

Now in its fourth year, BikeTown Africa has brought nearly 2,000 bikes to healthcare workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and Swaziland.

According to the 2008 Country Profile on Tanzania released by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Tanzania has remained stable in recent years, but there has been a recent increase in HIV prevalence among older age groups, with the HIV prevalence rate among women ages 30 to 34 reaching 13%.  This study also suggests that the greatest challenge facing Tanzania is inadequate resources to deliver quality health services to the Tanzanian population.

BikeTown Africa will be operated in conjunction with two programs of Bristol-Myers Squibb SECURE THE FUTURE, an unprecedented $150 million corporate commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS in Africa. SECURE THE FUTURE has supported more than 240 projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade.

Kona Bikes has specially designed, constructed and donated the Kona AfricaBike for BikeTown Africa. All BikeTown Africa Bikes are tailored to best suit local conditions while also requiring a minimum of maintenance. Spare parts and the training of local individuals on the repair and service of the bikes will ensure the bikes are fully utilized. To view Kona’s AfricaBike, visit www.konaworld.com.

Participating again this year is the Uti Charitable Foundation. Their funding of the transportation and logistics services will ensure the BikeTown Africa bicycles reach healthcare workers in even the remotest areas of Africa.

For BikeTown Africa photos and blog updates, visit www.bicycling.com/biketownafrica.

About Bicycling

As the world’s biggest bicycling magazine, claiming spots on Adweek’s Hot List three years in a row, Rodale Inc.’s Bicycling is the voice of cycling, providing the stories on the personalities, trends, and techniques behind the sport.  Appealing to readers of every ability and interest level, the magazine features expert reviews of the latest equipment as well as training and fitness tips. Published 11 times a year, Bicycling is the magazine for the athlete for whom the bicycle is the centerpiece of an active lifestyle.

About the Kona Bicycle Company:

The Kona Bicycle Company designs, manufactures and distributes more than 60 models of purpose-built, high-performance mountain, road and urban bicycles. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ferndale, Washington, USA, Kona bicycles are distributed worldwide in more than 60 countries through independent specialty bicycle dealers. Kona funds several professional road, mountain and cyclo-cross racing teams that include World Cup Champions, World Champions and National Champions. www.konaworld.com.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb and SECURE THE FUTURE®

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.  For more information, please visit www.bms.com.

SECURE THE FUTURE® is Bristol-Myers Squibb and Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation’s flagship philanthropic program that provides care and support for women and children affected with HIV/AIDS in Africa.  It is the largest corporate philanthropic commitment of its kind to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.  Since 1999, the program has funded more than $150 million in programs in 20 African countries, with special emphasis on community treatment support programs, care for children and building infrastructure.  For more information, please visit www. securethefuture.com.

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