RMI, a bespoke solutions partner that provides specialist services to protect health and wellbeing in remote and complex locations around the world, is celebrating the progress it has made to help fight the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Since 2015, RMI has been entrusted with the Global Health Supply Chain HIV Rapid Tests Kit (GHSC-RTK) project by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in that time has managed the successful procurement and distribution over 350 million rapid test kits to 39 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
The World Health Organization estimates that there are around 39 million people currently living with HIV across the globe, RMI’s contribution to a key aspect of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has supported efforts to educate communities on the benefits of diagnosis, breaking down cultural barriers around health education, and the importance of ‘knowing your status’. The essential provision of testing supplies to communities with limited access to healthcare providers ensures that testing for HIV is accessible, straightforward and contributes significantly to the global effort to control the HIV/AID epidemic.
Operating out of USAID federal office in Washington DC, a team of RMI personnel work tirelessly to procure rapid testing kits for both clinical and personal use and ensure safe and efficient logistical delivery to communities across the world.
Duncan Higham, Chief Executive Officer at RMI said: “The fight against HIV/AIDS is truly a global effort and the initiative to distribute rapid test kits is a testament to the power of global cooperation and strategic planning in addressing public health crises. Despite the challenges that our dedicated team have faced along the way, the supply of over 350 million rapid test kits to 39 countries is an incredible achievement that everyone who has worked on the project should be proud of.
“Access to diagnostic solutions is an important step forward to combatting the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and while we are proud of the number of kits that have been delivered so far, we understand that the past nine years of service have been just the first step in our contribution to this vital cause.”
RMI’s efforts demonstrated a truly global approach to medical accessibility, delivering test kits to countries on nearly every continent on the planet. While Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia have so far received the highest number of kits throughout the duration of the project, RMI’s outreach has expanded much further than the African continent, delivering medical supplies to the likes of Nepal, Colombia and more recently, Ukraine.
Throughout the duration of the project, RMI has maintained a high standard of efficiency and punctuality in the face of logistical challenges and a variety of complex import systems and customs protocols. Despite these barriers, RMI professionals were able to ensure that 89% of orders were delivered in full or on time.
As of 2022, The World Health Organization reported that 86% of people living with HIV knew their disease status with testing, allowing many more to be identified for potential treatment. With the latest stage of the project set to conclude at the end of 2024, RMI is looking forward to continuing to work with the USAID and PEPFAR.
To find out more about RMI’s efforts to curtail the HIV/AIDS epidemic visit: https://rmiglobalsolutions.com/how-rmi-helps-usaid-fight-the-global-hiv-aids-epidemic/
