Nairobi, 1 December 2003 -- Dr Ebrahim Samba, who retires as World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa after his current tenure expires in 2005, has offered to provide "free, non-remunerative services" to promote public health in Africa, in particular, HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and management.

"After the moving and credible presentations on the 3 by 5 strategy by the new team at the WHO Headquarters during the WHO Executive Board retreat in Accra in November, I made up my mind to volunteer to help prosecute the strategy after my retirement in early 2005" Dr Samba said during a visit by a WHO delegation to Kenya's Health Minister, Mrs Charity Ngilu.

The "3 by 5" strategy, launched by WHO on 1 December, was developed by WHO and UNAIDS and is aimed at providing antiretroviral treatment (ART) to three million people living with AIDS worldwide by 2005.

Dr Samba said he had since made his decision known to WHO Director General Dr Jong-wook Lee who welcomed the development.

The Kenyan Health Minister said she shared Dr Lee's sentiment adding that it would be desirable for WHO to continue to benefit from the vast experience of Dr Samba whose career in public health administration spans over 42 years.

Samuel T. Ajibola
Public Information and Communication Unit 
World Health Organization - Regional Office for Africa 
P.O. Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo
Tel: 47 241 39378; Fax : + 47 241 39513
Tel: In Nairobi: + 254 720 707 663