After Dybul, part one - time to stand up

by Alanna Shaikh · 2009-02-05 00:57:00 UTC
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(photo credit: littledan77)

Dybul's gone. What's next? The position of Global AIDS coordinator is an appointed executive branch position. In other words, a political position. Most likely, the coordinator will be chosen by Secretary Clinton, vetted, approved by the president, and then confirmed by Congress.

While I am sure that the secretary and the president will make every effort to choose a good candidiate for Global AIDS Coordinator, I am also worried. We don't want another Dybul. We need a coordinator who will put good science over policy and pressure groups. A coordinator who will advise the president on making good choices for PEPFAR and other HIV programs, and if he has to, tell the president when he is wrong.

We need an expert in HIV/AIDS and a real public health professional for this job. Not a doctor who's done some overseas work, not even a telegenic doctor with some AIDS experience. We need someone who will think about systems and global impact and evidence.

Rumors are already flying about Dybul's replacement. The name I keep seeing is Eric Goosby. He'd be a solid candidate. He was director of national AIDS policy in the Clinton administration, and he's got international experience.  My dream candidate would be Jim Kim, former AIDS chief for the WHO and an early colleague of Paul Farmer at Partners in Health.

Nothing official has been said about the next Global AIDS Coordinator. Goosby may evaporate, since all we have is a rumor. No one knows how they are choosing this global health leader. We can't do anything about executive branch back room deals. Political appointments are political; that's just life in Washington. But the Global AIDS Coordinator will have to be approved by Congress, and that is where we can make a different.

Take action now. Call or write your senator today, and tell them that global AIDS is a problem too big for political choices. Tell them we need a HIV professional with substantial international experience, and a background in running big programs. Tell them that good science matters, and we need a coordinator who understands that.

Alanna Shaikh
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