"It’s not as if the drugs are not on the shelves, it’s not as if the condoms are not in the warehouses. Stigma and discrimination for me is the biggest barrier for people to access all these huge resources that are there," Dr. Sozi said.

Event Details

Date: March 22, 2017

Time: 18:30 - 21:30

Venue: Four Seasons Hotel (Liangmaqiao)

Fee: Member 180 RMB, Nonmember 220 RMB (Including 2 drinks & substantial appetizers)

Registration: Register via Wechat or email us at specialprojects@vivabeijing.org

Dr Sozi received her education in Uganda, Kenya and United Kingdom, obtaining her medical degree from St Marys Hospital Medical School, University of London.

Dr. Sozi has spent over 25 years in public service, now the UNAIDS Country Director for China. She specialized in Family Medicine and has worked in the AIDS and health sector in the United Kingdom and Uganda, within government, the private sector and non-governmental facilities with a focus on HIV prevention and AIDS Care management for men, women and children living with HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health Care for young people and adolescents.

Official figures say 490,000 people are now living with HIV or AIDS in China; 149,000 have died from the disease. But mortality has fallen considerably here since 2005. The drop in mortality has been attributed to free HIV tests for all and free treatment for rural and poor urban citizens. The UN official now stresses the importance of bringing services to people most in need.‍

Dr Sozi has been awarded the Philanthropy Leadership Award by the China Social Assistance Foundation in recognition of her ‘outstanding achievements and persistent dedication to Zero AIDS and the public benefits of Africa’ and the China – Africa Health Cooperation Award by the China Alliance for South to South Health Cooperation Research for her ‘exceptional contribution in health cooperation between China and Africa’.