Global Fund Increases AIDS, Tuberculosis And Malaria Prevention And Treatment Measures By 30-50% Over One YearGlobal Fund Increases AIDS, Tuberculosis

Main Category: Preventive Medicine
Also Included In: Tuberculosis;  Tropical Diseases;  HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 09 Jul 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Today the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced its latest prevention and treatment numbers, noting in particular that Global Fund-financed programs have put 2.3 million people on treatment for HIV/AIDS, 5.4 million people have been treated for tuberculosis, and 88 million insecticide-treated nets have been distributed to prevent malaria infection. In addition, more than 500,000 HIV-positive pregnant women have been treated to prevent their babies from being born with HIV. Over the past year, the number of people accessing ARVs through Global Fund-financed programs has increased by 31%, the number given tuberculosis drugs has increased by 38% and the number of nets distributed has increased by 49%.

These latest results strengthen evidence that investments during the past five years have resulted in the most significant progress ever achieved in the global fight against these three diseases. Recent evidence suggests that global mortality from tuberculosis is now declining, AIDS mortality among adults in several high-burden countries in Africa is declining, and malaria elimination efforts have made tremendous progress, with reductions in the number of cases and malaria-related child mortality falling between 50% and 80% in a growing number of countries.(1) The Global Fund has been a leader in this progress, contributing nearly 25% of global financing for HIV/AIDS and almost two-thirds of the financing for tuberculosis and malaria.

"These impressive results from Global Fund-financed programs are a testament to what the world can do together to fight disease and improve health around the world," said Natasha Bilimoria, Executive Director of Friends of the Global Fight. "Because of strong U.S. leadership and support, the Global Fund is able to partner with countries around the world, improving not only citizens' health but in turn strengthening local and national economies. It's a development tool that continues to be a sound investment and shows real results."

Together, AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria kill about six million people per year. With grants worth $16 billion in 140 countries around the world, the Global Fund has become the world's leading global public health financier.

"In less than eight years, the Global Fund has gone from a concept to a driver of change," said Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. "When we first began our work in 2002, few people in developing countries were being treated for AIDS or tuberculosis. Malaria was a neglected disease. Many countries simply did not have the resources to fight these diseases effectively. Now the story is changing dramatically. There is still much to be done, but we are making real progress and I am proud that the Global Fund is a leader in this global effort."

In 2002, the U.S. government made the founding $200 million pledge to the Global Fund. In FY2009, the U.S. government appropriated $1 billion for the Global Fund, the highest amount contributed to date. Strong support from the U.S. government is a critical component of Global Fund success; every $1 committed by the U.S. is leveraged to generate $2 in contributions from other donors.

"We are at an historic moment in the fight for better health," Bilimoria said. "With Global Fund financing, health and health systems are improving dramatically around the world."

FRIENDS OF THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA

Friends of the Global Fight works to educate, engage and mobilize American decision makers to support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the fight to end the worldwide burden of these three diseases.

THE GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA

The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.

(1) The Global Fund, "Scaling Up for Impact: Results Report," March 2009.

Source: Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria