    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 17, 2008]
    [Pages 225-226]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks During a Visit to Amana District Hospital in Dar es Salaam
    February 17, 2008

        President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of
    Tanzania. Mr. President, First Lady, my dear wife--Mr. President,
    welcome again to Amana Hospital. Well, let me use this opportunity to
    thank you so much, again, for PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for
    AIDS Relief.
        Through PEPFAR, we got these two buildings, a facility we just
    visited and, again, this clinic. In Dar es Salaam, there are three of
    these buildings, one in each of the districts, and then we have five
    smaller ones. About 40 patients have been registered, and 24 are already
    on ARVs, because they are eligible. I'm not a doctor, but they say the
    levels of CD4 count, then they reach a certain level above 300, where
    they say, now they have got to go to start treatment.
        Well, the significance of this is the people we have around here.
    There is Tatu. She has her own story to tell, I'm sure. There is a
    couple--Steven, where is the wife? Where is your wife? Bring the wife
    here. Janet? This is Janet; this is Steven. They are a couple. And when
    she was pregnant, she was diagnosed as being HIV-positive. So then she
    was--she came under care and treatment. The baby there is healthy.
        So we can see, these are some of the typical examples of the success
    of this kind--this program. Had they not--had there not been a program
    to test them, well, they might not be there. So one of the advantages is
    that their son is healthy; they are under treatment; they are healthy;
    they are doing their own work. So that son is lucky. He is not orphaned,
    thanks to the PEPFAR program.
        And then we have--Honorati Shirima--yes, and ex-military, I'm told--
    yes, retired. But I'm told when he came here, he was in very bad shape.
    He was in bad, bad shape. He was almost dying. So he started the program
    of ARVs, and you can see how he looks now. He looks healthy; he looks
    much better than what he was.
        So all that I can say, President, is words of appreciation and
    thanksgiving. It has done a tremendous job. You know Tatu; you know her
    story. She was in Congress recently. So I can tell you--this is what I
    can say to welcome you, is to thank you.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.
        President Kikwete. Thank you so
    much for the initiative. It has done so much for our people. It has
    given a future--as I was saying this morning, many children now have
    been saved from being orphans, and the example is that man and this girl
    here. So thank you so much, Mr. President.
        President Bush. Well, Mr. President, thanks for having us. I really appreciate you
    suggesting a stop here at the Amana Hospital District. The American
    people have built two of the wings of this hospital, and I wanted to
    come here precisely to let the American people know how important their
    generosity is to the--to helping save lives.
        And, doc, I thank you for setting
    up this meeting. We're so honored to be with the doctors and the healers
    as well as those who have been helped by the program. One of the main
    reasons that I want to make sure the American people know that

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    this program is successful is because I want this program to continue to
    be funded. It's in our national interests that the American generosity
    continue beyond my Presidency.
        And so, Mr. President, one way to
    send a clear message to the good people of our country is that their
    generosity is saving lives. And we really appreciate those whose lives
    have been saved, to come and share their stories. And, Tatu, it's good to see you again. She was at the State of the
    Union Address, she and Faith, sitting with
    Laura and our two
    daughters. And your smile is bright today as it
    was then. [Laughter] So it's good to see you. And, Doctor, thank you.
        President Kikwete. She has hope.
    Now she has hope for the future.
        President Bush. She has hope and
    Faith. [Laughter]

    Note: The President spoke at 1:35 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Chalamilla E. Guerino, field director of HIV and AIDS care and
    treatment, Amana District Hospital; and HIV patients Tatu Msangi and her
    daughter Faith Mang'ehe, Janet and Steven Rogers and their son Steven,
    Jr., and Honorati V. Shirima. President Kikwete referred to his wife
    Mama Salma Kikwete of Tanzania.