Celebrating 20 years of helping save lives and reduce the burden of disease

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4 takeaways from AIDS2022

The global AIDS fight is in danger but there is still time to get back on track. We reflect on our time at the conference.

AIDS was killing millions of people. CHAI was founded to make treatment equitable.

In the decades since, CHAI’s unique approach has been replicated to address many more health challenges.

The speeches that inspired the formation of CHAI

On this day 20 years ago, two former presidents closed IAS in Barcelona and Nelson Mandela asked Bill Clinton to help get treatment to people living with HIV.

Dr. Neil Buddy Shah named CEO as CHAI marks 20 years

Shah adds his expertise to a senior leadership team that has decades of experience tackling health system gaps.

“Our ultimate goal is that when a person comes into a health center, they receive the appropriate healthcare they need to stay healthy.”

– Dr. David Ripin, Executive Vice President, Infectious Diseases; Chief Science Officer

Help commemorate #CHAIat20 with our Social Media Toolkit

Our Approach

“The fact that we were able to access these [HIV treatment] prices in Africa, you cannot put a price to it.”

– Mphu Ramatlapeng, former Health Minister in Lesotho, current CHAI EVP

No one, no matter where they live should die for lack of access to healthcare. For 20 years, CHAI has operated at the nexus of business, government, and health to save the lives of tens of millions of adults and children around the world.

What word defines CHAI for our staff?

CHAI is a mother.

“While many of us think of CHAI generally as a family, I think of it specifically as a mother.  To me, CHAI is like a mother who would sacrifice every single bit of herself to be able to make her children’s life as comfortable and as successful as possible.”

– Sandesh Dholakia, Analyst, Neglected Tropical Diseases, India

CHAI is hope.

“I’m part of a tribe called Miskitos, located in La Moskitia, Honduras. When I heard about CHAI in 2018, I was so happy and now that I’m working for CHAI, I feel so proud to be helping my people eliminate Malaria!”

– Roshni Iscoa, CHAI Malaria Associate, Honduras

CHAI is a university.

“CHAI is a real university with practical lifesaving work on the ground for those critically in need and hard to reach in low-resource countries like Ethiopia.”

– Dinkineh Bikila, CHAI Program Manager, Essential Medicines, Ethiopia

CHAI is determined.

“CHAI is determined to solve some of the world’s biggest health challenges with creativity and drive. The mentality is not to relieve pressure on the gas pedal until the job is completely done.”

– Abby Ward, Epidemiologist, Senior Technical Advisor, United States

Our History

“The faster we could move the more lives would be saved.”

– Ira Magaziner, Co-founder

2002- 2003

CHAI’s first program: HIV/AIDS

First programs begin in Africa and the Caribbean, aimed at scaling up HIV/AIDS care and treatment in entire countries. 800,000 people are treated in these countries in five years as a result of this work, up from a total of 2,000 when the work began.

First programs begin in Africa and the Caribbean, aimed at scaling up HIV/AIDS care and treatment in entire countries. 800,000 people are treated in these countries in five years as a result of this work, up from a total of 2,000 when the work began.

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2003

HIV first-line agreement

CHAI negotiates lower prices for first-line HIV drugs by over 60 percent, enabling over 60 countries to access the new prices.

CHAI negotiates lower prices for first-line HIV drugs by over 60 percent, enabling over 60 countries to access the new prices.

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2003

ART program in South Africa

CHAI begins work with South Africa to scale up treatment, laying the foundation for the largest antiretroviral therapy (ART) program in the world.

CHAI begins work with South Africa to scale up treatment, laying the foundation for the largest antiretroviral therapy (ART) program in the world.

2004- 2005

Pediatric HIV treatment

CHAI leads global effort alongside Unitaid to scale up treatment for children with AIDS in 34 countries, from around 75,000 on treatment to over 900,000 today, lowering the price of medications from over US$600 to around US$60 per child, per year.

CHAI leads global effort alongside Unitaid to scale up treatment for children with AIDS in 34 countries, from around 75,000 on treatment to over 900,000 today, lowering the price of medications from over US$600 to around US$60 per child, per year.

2005- 2007

HIV second-line agreement

CHAI works with Unitaid to negotiate agreements to lower the price of second-line HIV/AIDS treatments by 75 percent and accelerate the roll out of these drugs to over 30 countries where patients were failing on first-line treatments.

CHAI works with Unitaid to negotiate agreements to lower the price of second-line HIV/AIDS treatments by 75 percent and accelerate the roll out of these drugs to over 30 countries where patients were failing on first-line treatments.

2007

Expansion into malaria

CHAI launches a malaria program, which grows rapidly to help government partners increase funding to combat malaria, improve access to quality diagnosis and treatment, and support evidence-based decision making to target resources and accelerate progress toward elimination.

CHAI launches a malaria program, which grows rapidly to help government partners increase funding to combat malaria, improve access to quality diagnosis and treatment, and support evidence-based decision making to target resources and accelerate progress toward elimination.

2009

Scale-up HIV care and treatment in South Africa

CHAI assists the government of South Africa with the largest scale-up of HIV care and treatment ever attempted, from 800,000 people in 2009 to approximately three million today. CHAI helps negotiate agreements to lower HIV and TB drug prices that save the South African government almost US$1 billion.

CHAI assists the government of South Africa with the largest scale-up of HIV care and treatment ever attempted, from 800,000 people in 2009 to approximately three million today. CHAI helps negotiate agreements to lower HIV and TB drug prices that save the South African government almost US$1 billion.

2010

Effective drugs to treat malaria

CHAI increases access to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). Over two years, we help get almost 300 million ACTs to patients in eight countries.

CHAI increases access to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). Over two years, we help get almost 300 million ACTs to patients in eight countries.

2011

Expansion into vaccines

CHAI begins work to lower costs and increase access to vaccines. Alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CHAI negotiates a landmark agreement to lower the price of the GSK rotavirus vaccine by 67 percent and the Biological E. Limited pentavalent vaccine by 50 percent, saving the global community over US$800 million and US$150 million respectively. The pentavalent vaccine averted an estimated 2.6 million deaths from 2011-2015.

CHAI begins work to lower costs and increase access to vaccines. Alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CHAI negotiates a landmark agreement to lower the price of the GSK rotavirus vaccine by 67 percent and the Biological E. Limited pentavalent vaccine by 50 percent, saving the global community over US$800 million and US$150 million respectively. The pentavalent vaccine averted an esti...

2011

MATCH study launch

CHAI, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, conducts the Multi-Country Analysis of Treatment Costs for HIV/AIDS (MATCH) with the governments of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia, using evidence to inform debate on affordability and sustainability of universal access to treatment. As a result, an additional 443,000 patients are eligible for treatment.

CHAI, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, conducts the Multi-Country Analysis of Treatment Costs for HIV/AIDS (MATCH) with the governments of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia, using evidence to inform debate on affordability and sustainability of universal access to treatment. As a result, an additional 443,000 patients are eligible for treatment.

2011

Expansion into human resources for health

CHAI helps the government of Rwanda establish a world-class health system through educating doctors, nurses, and health managers. CHAI eventually expands this work to other countries including Liberia, Malawi, and Zambia.

CHAI helps the government of Rwanda establish a world-class health system through educating doctors, nurses, and health managers. CHAI eventually expands this work to other countries including Liberia, Malawi, and Zambia.

2012

Human resources for health in Zambia

CHAI begins working with the Zambian government to educate large groups of community health assistants who are then deployed to villages across the country to bring high-quality healthcare to people with limited access.

CHAI begins working with the Zambian government to educate large groups of community health assistants who are then deployed to villages across the country to bring high-quality healthcare to people with limited access.

2012

Long-acting reversible contraception

CHAI and partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, United States Agency for International Development, NORAD, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, negotiate an agreement to lower the price of Bayer and Merck’s long-acting reversible contraceptives from US$18 to US$8.50 per implant and accelerate roll-out of the products to save the lives of women.

CHAI and partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, United States Agency for International Development, NORAD, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, negotiate an agreement to lower the price of Bayer and Merck’s long-acting reversible contraceptives from U...

2013

Improving severe malaria testing and treatment

CHAI works to lower the cost and increase the availability of injectable artesunate, a malaria medicine that can dramatically decrease malaria mortality, particularly in children. CHAI also worked with global manufacturers and importers in Tanzania’s private sector to reduce the price of malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) by 50 to 70 percent.

CHAI works to lower the cost and increase the availability of injectable artesunate, a malaria medicine that can dramatically decrease malaria mortality, particularly in children. CHAI also worked with global manufacturers and importers in Tanzania’s private sector to reduce the price of malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) by 50 to 70 percent.

2013

Treating childhood diarrhea

CHAI begins work to reduce mortality from diarrhea for children under five, scaling up access to lifesaving zinc/ORS treatment in India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. CHAI supports governments to lower the cost of zinc/ORS products, resulting in wholesale prices dropping by approximately 60 percent.

CHAI begins work to reduce mortality from diarrhea for children under five, scaling up access to lifesaving zinc/ORS treatment in India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. CHAI supports governments to lower the cost of zinc/ORS products, resulting in wholesale prices dropping by approximately 60 percent.

2014

Ebola response in Liberia

CHAI, with the support of the Norwegian Government, helps lead case management and health worker training in response to the Ebola crisis in Liberia, serving as a critical link between the international emergency response and the Liberian government.

CHAI, with the support of the Norwegian Government, helps lead case management and health worker training in response to the Ebola crisis in Liberia, serving as a critical link between the international emergency response and the Liberian government.

2014

Introducing new products to treat childhood diarrhea

CHAI helps introduce more than 15 new high-quality, affordable zinc and ORS products, including co-packaged products, into local markets in CHAI partner countries. The increased market competition leads to wholesale prices being reduced by 40 to 75 percent.

CHAI helps introduce more than 15 new high-quality, affordable zinc and ORS products, including co-packaged products, into local markets in CHAI partner countries. The increased market competition leads to wholesale prices being reduced by 40 to 75 percent.

A neonate in an incubator sleeps while receiving supplemental oxygen.

2015

Expansion into new programs

CHAI introduces new programs in hepatitis, pneumonia, and cancer.

CHAI introduces new programs in hepatitis, pneumonia, and cancer.

A neonate in an incubator sleeps while receiving supplemental oxygen.

2015- 2016

Reducing mother and infant deaths in Nigeria

CHAI introduces a comprehensive community-based approach to save mothers and newborns in Northern Nigeria through improved outreach, treatment, and training of health workers, resulting in a sustained 37 percent reduction in maternal deaths, a 43 percent reduction in newborn deaths, and a 15 percent reduction in stillbirths within 12 months.

CHAI introduces a comprehensive community-based approach to save mothers and newborns in Northern Nigeria through improved outreach, treatment, and training of health workers, resulting in a sustained 37 percent reduction in maternal deaths, a 43 percent reduction in newborn deaths, and a 15 percent reduction in stillbirths within 12 months.

2016

Lowering the cost of hepatitis C treatment

CHAI helps reduce the cost of hepatitis C treatment in seven countries by 71 to 95 percent, from US$2,618 per patient to between US$133 and US$789 per patient treated.

CHAI helps reduce the cost of hepatitis C treatment in seven countries by 71 to 95 percent, from US$2,618 per patient to between US$133 and US$789 per patient treated.

2016

Ethiopia develops first-of-its-kind medical oxygen roadmap in Africa

While many countries later followed suite, CHAI's support to implement this in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to Ethiopia's preparedness and access to oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients during the early days of the pandemic.

While many countries later followed suite, CHAI's support to implement this in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to Ethiopia's preparedness and access to oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients during the early days of the pandemic.

2017

Increasing access to cancer medications

CHAI announces an agreement with the American Cancer Society, Pfizer Inc., and Cipla Inc. to expand access to 16 essential cancer treatment medications, including chemotherapies, in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, where 44 percent of cancer cases in sub-Saharan Africa occur.

CHAI announces an agreement with the American Cancer Society, Pfizer Inc., and Cipla Inc. to expand access to 16 essential cancer treatment medications, including chemotherapies, in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, where 44 percent of cancer cases in sub-Saharan Africa occur.

2017

Affordable single-pill HIV regimen with DTG

CHAI and partners, including UNAIDS, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Unitaid, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, PEPFAR, USAID, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, announce a groundbreaking agreement with Aurobindo and Viatris to accelerate the availability of the first affordable, generic, single-pill HIV treatment containing DTG, a best-in-class HIV medication, to public sector purchasers in low- and middle-income countries at around US$75 per person, per year.

CHAI and partners, including UNAIDS, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Unitaid, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, PEPFAR, USAID, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, announce a groundbreaking agreement with Aurobindo and Viatris to accelerate the availability of the first affordable, generic, single-pill HIV treatment containing DTG, a be...

2018

Breakthrough pricing agreement for latest diagnostic technology

CHAI and partners, including United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), Unitaid, MedAccess (backed by the UK government), the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), and the government of Zambia, reach a breakthrough pricing agreement with Hologic to significantly lower the cost of state-of-the art diagnostic testing for HIV, hepatitis, and cervical cancer in low-and middle-income countries at a price of US$12 per patient sample.

CHAI and partners, including United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), Unitaid, MedAccess (backed by the UK government), the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), and the government of Zambia, reach a breakthrough pricing agreement with Hologic to significantly lower the cost of state-of-the ar...

2018

Lowering costs for lifesaving oxygen diagnostics

CHAI helps negotiate a 58 percent reduction, on average, for the price of handheld pulse oximeters — simple, life-saving tools that can help quickly diagnose severe pneumonia.

CHAI helps negotiate a 58 percent reduction, on average, for the price of handheld pulse oximeters — simple, life-saving tools that can help quickly diagnose severe pneumonia.

2019

Improving access to quality cancer treatment

CHAI forms Allied Against Cancer with the American Cancer Society, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and IBM. NCCN adapts cancer-treatment guidelines for use in African hospitals and IBM develops an online tool to help African oncologists use the guidelines more efficiently.

CHAI forms Allied Against Cancer with the American Cancer Society, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and IBM. NCCN adapts cancer-treatment guidelines for use in African hospitals and IBM develops an online tool to help African oncologists use the guidelines more efficiently.

2019

Expansion into cervical cancer

CHAI begins work to scale up safe, effective, and affordable cervical cancer screening and treatment of pre-cancerous legions across partner countries.

CHAI begins work to scale up safe, effective, and affordable cervical cancer screening and treatment of pre-cancerous legions across partner countries.

2020

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic

CHAI helps countries secure affordable supplies to safely and effectively treat patients with COVID-19, including personal protective equipment, biomedical devices for oxygen therapy, and diagnostics. This includes a global partnership with Unitaid, Viatris, and Macleods to make available 120 million affordable, rapid diagnostic tests for low- and middle-income countries.

CHAI helps countries secure affordable supplies to safely and effectively treat patients with COVID-19, including personal protective equipment, biomedical devices for oxygen therapy, and diagnostics. This includes a global partnership with Unitaid, Viatris, and Macleods to make available 120 million affordable, rapid diagnostic tests for low- and middle-income countries.

2020

Price agreement drastically lowers cost for yearly pediatric HIV treatment

CHAI and Unitaid announce a groundbreaking agreement with two pharmaceutical companies, Viatris and Macleods, to reduce by 75 percent the cost of HIV treatment for children in low- and middle-income countries. The partnership resulted in the fastest ever U.S. regulatory approval for a generic pediatric HIV drug.

CHAI and Unitaid announce a groundbreaking agreement with two pharmaceutical companies, Viatris and Macleods, to reduce by 75 percent the cost of HIV treatment for children in low- and middle-income countries. The partnership resulted in the fastest ever U.S. regulatory approval for a generic pediatric HIV drug.

2021

Partnership makes dual rapid test for syphilis and HIV available for under US$1 in over 100 countries

CHAI, MedAccess, and SD Biosensor introduce new price for point-of-care rapid diagnostic test that enables simultaneous diagnosis of syphilis and HIV in under 20 minutes from a single finger-prick sample.

CHAI, MedAccess, and SD Biosensor introduce new price for point-of-care rapid diagnostic test that enables simultaneous diagnosis of syphilis and HIV in under 20 minutes from a single finger-prick sample.

2021

Unprecedented cooperation with global oxygen suppliers increases access and paves the way to address COVID-19

Agreement brokered by Unitaid and CHAI under the COVID-19 Oxygen Emergency Taskforce sees two of the world’s largest medical oxygen suppliers, Air Liquide and Linde, each collaborate with these ACT-Accelerator partners on increased access to oxygen.

Agreement brokered by Unitaid and CHAI under the COVID-19 Oxygen Emergency Taskforce sees two of the world’s largest medical oxygen suppliers, Air Liquide and Linde, each collaborate with these ACT-Accelerator partners on increased access to oxygen.

A woman in a wheelchair plays a game. Missing Billion report launched in October.

2021

CHAI partners with 10 country governments to increase access to assistive technology

Supporting global stakeholders under the UK Aid-funded AT2030 program, CHAI completed market analyses on wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, eyeglasses, and personal digital devices to understand interventions to support access and investment opportunities.

Supporting global stakeholders under the UK Aid-funded AT2030 program, CHAI completed market analyses on wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, eyeglasses, and personal digital devices to understand interventions to support access and investment opportunities.

A woman in a wheelchair plays a game. Missing Billion report launched in October.

2022

CHAI partners with governments to screen over one million women for cervical cancer

More than 80 percent of women received appropriate treatment across the program's 10 countries, with half of the countries exceeding 90 percent treatment coverage among women who screened positive for pre-cancerous legions.

More than 80 percent of women received appropriate treatment across the program's 10 countries, with half of the countries exceeding 90 percent treatment coverage among women who screened positive for pre-cancerous legions.

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