Global Fund seeks $14bn to fight AIDS, TB and malaria

An international health fund that finances the fight against acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis (TB) and malaria has announced a $14bn fundraising target for the next three years to tackle these serious public health concerns.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said that the financing could help save 16 million lives, halving the deaths caused by the three diseases.

According to BBC, the $14bn would be invested on medication to treat and prevent HIV transmission, TB therapies and mosquito nets to protect from malaria.

The replenishment of the fund is also intended to build stronger health systems in countries that are ill-equipped to manage existing outbreaks and cope with potential new epidemics, noted Reuters.

"We need to step up the fight to protect and build on the gains we have made, or we will see those achievements eroded, infections and deaths resurge, and the prospect of ending the epidemics disappear.."

Global Fund executive director Peter Sands said: "We need to step up the fight to protect and build on the gains we have made, or we will see those achievements eroded, infections and deaths resurge, and the prospect of ending the epidemics disappear. It’s time to deliver on that promise. If we step up the fight now, we will save millions more lives."

Founded in 2002, the health fund has helped cut down deaths from AIDS, TB and malaria through partnerships with government, civil society and private sector organisations.

In 2017, investments by Global Fund said to have led to antiretroviral therapy for 17.5 million HIV patients, treatment to five million people living with TB and distribution of 197 million mosquito nets.

The global fund said that its progress has now slowed down due to shortfalls in funding, as well as increasing insecticide and drug resistance.

It added that this could hinder the third Sustainable Development Goal, a global target to end HIV, TB and malaria epidemics by 2030.

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