[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

[[Page 226]]

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.