November 15, 2007

The Global Fund Pledges More Than $1 Billion to Fight Diseases

On Monday, November 12, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced the approval of 73 new grants—valued at approximately $1.1 billion—to fight disease in developing countries over the next two years (AFP/health.yahoo.com, 11/12).

This brings the Global Fund’s current budget to 32 percent higher than 2007’s estimate of $846 million. Of the new funding, 48 percent will go toward HIV/AIDS projects, with 42 and 10 percent being allocated to fight malaria and tuberculosis, respectively. Two thirds of the projects that will be supported are located in Africa.

“This is the largest funding round in the Global Fund’s history,” says board chair Rajat Gupta. “The board is pleased with the strength and high level of ambition of the new grants and is looking forward to scaling up in the fight against the three diseases.”