OAKLAND, CALIF., NOVEMBER 6, 2007 – MOTIVATE and the Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting up the fundamental principles for the collaboration between VAAC and MOTIVATE in their effort to implement integrated HIV/AIDS program/projects focused on prevention, treatment and care.
The Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (MOH) reports that as of November 2006 there are cumulatively 116,240 HIV infected cases nationwide, of which 20,151 had progressed to AIDS. The MOH also projects that by the year 2010, Vietnam will have about 311,500 people infected with HIV and about 72,970 patients in need of anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment.
The Vietnamese government’s ongoing programs to develop and implement a social health care infrastructure, education and prevention program must effectively address the HIV/AIDS issue.
Sojitz and Ramsell in a U.S.-Japan Public Private Partnership, launched its Vietnam health care initiative in June 2006 with regard to the country’s need to develop and implement a sustainable healthcare infrastructure and an education and prevention program to effectively address the HIV/AIDS issue.
During the past year Ramsell (and its subsidiary company, Public Health Service Bureau, (PHSB)) and Sojitz have continued to work with the MOH Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) to research and define the program feasibility of a mobile healthcare clinic concept. The mobile healthcare unit is designed to provide a simple, low-cost method to access at-risk individuals in their communities.
Through their global partnership, Ramsell and Sojitz moved forward jointly creating a new entity, MOTIVATE (Mobile health Treatment Initiative for Vietnam Awareness, Technology and Education), to facilitate the mobile healthcare clinic concept project by assisting VAAC with an initial pilot program. VAAC assigned a team to work with MOTIVATE, identifying three provinces to implement a pilot program in the north, central and southern regions. On September 27, 2007 the Ministry of Health of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control and MOTIVATE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU sets up the fundamental principles for the collaboration between VAAC and MOTIVATE in their effort to implement integrated HIV/AIDS programs/projects focused on prevention, treatment and care through awareness, education, technology, prevention and treatment. The MOTIVATE team met with the US Ambassador Michael Michalak and Japanese Ambassador Norio Hattori. They both endorsed and encouraged the MOTIVATE initiative. MOTIVATE also had the opportunity to discuss this initiative with Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell who also expressed interest and encouragement. MOTIVATE will actively pursue funding opportunities in the form of grants, federal funding, donations, and cash-in-kind contributions from both the public and private sectors. Once the funding and resources are identified from a variety of donors with an approved program design, VAAC and MOTIVATE will sign project contracts, specifying the rights and responsibilities of each party, and the pilot programs will be launched.
Mobile health Treatment Initiative for Vietnam Awareness, Technology and Education was formed in July 2007 through the global partnership of Ramsell International and Sojitz.
Ramsell International is held by Ramsell Holding Corporation, a group of companies, including Public Health Service Bureau (PHSB), with over 30 years of experience in Public Health.
Sojitz Group, formerly known as Nissho Iwai and Nichimen, is an experienced trading company that maintains 99 liaison and branch offices on all seven continents. With over $54 billion in annual trade transactions, it is one of the largest global trading firms in the world. Nissho Iwai was the first company in the Western alliance to establish operations in Vietnam after the war, and in December 2006 Sojitz celebrated its 20-year anniversary in Hanoi of continued cooperation and friendship.
Tim Murrill
Public Health Service Bureau
(510) 587-2629
tmurrill@phsb.com
Oakland, Calif., May 12, 2008 - Ramsell Public Health Rx today announced that it will administer a full suite of Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) solutions for the Bridging the Gap, Colorado (BTGC) program, a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) that covers the costs of a participant’s Medicare deductible, co-payment and coinsurance. The customizable PBM solution will provide a comprehensive package to meet BTGC’s service needs, including coordination of benefits, claims adjudication, pharmacy network management and data management.