Call for Aussie Support for Global Fund
24 September 2013 at 4:19 pm
Australia should commit to increasing its support for the life-saving work of the international Global Fund set up to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria according to the Pacific Friends of the Global Fund.
“The decision by the United Kingdom to pledge £1 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria will help save thousands of lives around the world over the next three years,” according to Pacific Friends of the Global Fund Executive Director Bill Bowtell.
The Global Fund was established to finance the fight against the world’s three biggest killers. It is currently seeking $US15 billion to continue its work for 2014-2016 from rich nations, including Australia, as well as the private sector and philanthropists.
Bill Bowtell said the UK Government had displayed great leadership.
“We now have the scientific advances that enable us to remove these three diseases as threats to global public health. All we need is the money,” he said.
“The Global Fund – which operates to the highest levels of transparency, accountability and proven outcomes – is absolutely critical to making our region a more stable and prosperous part of the world.
“Since 2002 Global Fund investments in Indonesia, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea have saved tens of thousands of lives.
“In Papua New Guinea, the Global Fund has financed the delivery of almost 4.5 million mosquito nets to stop the spread of malaria. It has also helped detect and treat 42,000 cases of tuberculosis and has invested some $US40 million on HIV prevention and treatment programs.
“There are tens of thousands of people alive today due to the work of the Global Fund and the government of Papua New Guinea – supported by Australia.
“Now more than ever, rich nations need to boost support for the Global Fund. It’s in everyone’s interests to make the world a safer and healthier place.
“The United Kingdom’s commitment is geared toward encouraging other donors to maximize their own pledges to the Global Fund, effectively unlocking additional funds with each contribution, as the United Kingdom contribution is limited to a maximum of ten per cent of the total raised for the Global Fund.”
