AUSTRALIA INCREASES SUPPORT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA
Australia has boosted its commitment to the global effort to reduce sickness and death from HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd today announced that Australia will commit $210 million over three years from 2011 to 2013 to support the critical work of the Global Fund in tackling these three diseases.
'We are committed to helping developing countries, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, in their fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria,' said Mr Rudd.
The Global Fund is a critical player in combating the three deadly diseases, providing a quarter of all international financing for HIV and two-thirds for tuberculosis and malaria.
Since 2002, the Global Fund has saved an estimated 5.7 million lives, provided HIV treatment for more than 2.8 million people, tuberculosis treatment for seven million people, and distributed 122 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria.
'Australia's new pledge is a 55 per cent increase on our previous three-year pledge and demonstrates our confidence in the ongoing success of the Global Fund in the prevention and treatment of these three diseases,' said Mr Rudd.
'There are an estimated 33 million people globally living with HIV and while the number of new infections is declining, it is critical that the international community continues to sustain a focus on preventing and ultimately eliminating this devastating virus.
'Malaria continues to put half the world's population at risk, with 62 per cent of malaria cases outside of Africa occurring here on our doorstep, in the Asia Pacific region.
'Asia also continues to grapple with the spread of tuberculosis, with Indonesia ranking as third in the world for its overall tuberculosis burden.'
In addition to Australia's increased core pledge to the Global Fund, Australia is cancelling up to $75 million in debt owed by Indonesia in parallel with Indonesia investing $37.5 million in the Global Fund for approved tuberculosis programs.
'Most importantly, Australia's bilateral aid programs support countries in the development and implementation of their own health strategies in tackling the three diseases, complementing the work of the Global Fund,' Mr Rudd said.
For example Australia is a partner in major HIV programs in PNG, Indonesia and the Mekong countries.
Previously, Australia committed support to the Global Fund of $135 million from 2008 to 2010 and $75 million from 2004 to 2007.
CANBERRA
6 OCTOBER 2010