Dr. Doris Macharia, President of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF): Reaching the Last Mile to End Pediatric HIV

Dr. Doris Macharia, President of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), joins Alberto Lidji on the Do One Better Podcast for a conversation about the global effort to end pediatric HIV and the challenge of reaching the children and families who remain underserved.

EGPAF has been working for more than three decades to improve outcomes for children and mothers affected by HIV. Today, its work spans 12 countries in Africa, working alongside governments and communities to strengthen HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care.

In this conversation, Dr. Macharia explains what she means by reaching the “last mile” and why the final stretch toward ending pediatric HIV can be among the most difficult. Alberto and Doris explore the barriers that continue to stand in the way, from poverty, stigma, and conflict to gaps in healthcare systems, diagnostics, treatment access, and follow-up.

They also discuss how African health systems can become more resilient and sustainable, why reducing families’ out-of-pocket healthcare costs matters, and how philanthropy can help sustain hard-won progress.

In this episode:

Why children continue to lag behind adults in knowing their HIV status

What it really means to reach the “last mile”

The importance of strong primary healthcare systems

How diagnostics, treatment, and community-based care can improve outcomes

The challenges created by poverty, stigma, conflict, and limited resources

Why sustaining progress may be as important as achieving it

The distinctive role philanthropy can play in addressing complex global health challenges