Pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has been distributing its anti-retroviral drugs since 1997 and sponsoring anti-retroviral care training for 29 medical doctors from Côte d’Ivoire, working in the public and private sectors. Since June 6, 2004, the company has taken on a new venture, through its partnership with the National Agency for Rural Development and Support of Côte d'Ivoire (ANADER).

“We appreciate MSD’s contribution," says ANADER’s CEO, Behinan Guede. "They have sponsored the training of our company doctor in ARV treatment, committed a team of their own HIV/AIDS experts and consultants, assisted us with the writing of our strategic plan to present to potential donors, and provided us with key contacts to help move our project forward,” he continues, “And all of this at no cost to us.