The European Union (EU) will launch a large-scale health program that will contribute more than $170 million to South Africa’s effort to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), Reuters reports. The funds will be distributed with a focus on improving South Africa’s primary health care system, thereby increasing treatment and prevention access throughout the country. In addition to curbing the spread of diseases such as HIV and TB, the EU claims the new program will reduce South African maternal and child mortality and will increase life expectancy. Out of the country’s population of 49 million, about 5.4 million people are living with HIV.

To read the Reuters article, click here.