Global Fund-financed programs reaching more people, report shows

The most recent statistics on programs funded in 140 countries through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria released Wednesday reveal "[m]ore than 2 million people living with HIV have been reached with life-saving treatment," the UN News Centre reports (7/8).

According to the report, "80 million people have been given counseling and testing sessions against HIV while four million orphans have been provided with medical services, educational and community care," through Global Fund-supported programs, the Manila Bulletin reports.  In addition, "about 88 million have been provided with insecticide-treated bednets to combat the spread of malaria, up from 59 million last year" (Sabater, 7/9).

The Global Fund has also helped to connect 5.4 million people with TB drugs. "Over the past year, the number of people accessing ARVs through Global Fund-financed programs has increased by 31 percent, the number given TB drugs has increased by 38% and the number of nets distributed has increased by 49%," according to a Friends of the Global Fight release.

"In less than eight years, the Global Fund has gone from a concept to a driver of change," Global Fund Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine said in a written statement, adding, "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." Executive Director of Friends of the Global Fight Natasha Bilimoria said in a written statement, "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. 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" (7/8).