On Tuesday, the executive director of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria said he is "very concerned" the slowing global economy could affect ongoing efforts to improve health in the developing world.
"Maybe it is a little too early to see the true consequences of the global downturn," said Michel Kazatchkine, the fund's head. "But I am truly concerned, and the world should be concerned about how we can meet our development goals."
The Global Fund has raised around $10.8 billion since it was launched by the Group of Eight nations in 2002, with most of the money contributed by the United States, Japan, and Europe. Kazatchkine said the fund has not yet "felt the pinch" from recent financial pressures or rising energy and commodity prices.
Kazatchkine spoke in Brussels while meeting with EU development ministers ahead of the G8 summit in July. "Our message to the G8 is about keeping with the commitments," he said. "The G8 agreed to having an annual review on where they stand with their commitments and where they should go, notably in health." "Our message to the G8 is that investment in health is paying off with less mortality, and [the fund is] seeing spectacular results in all three areas," he said, adding that sustainability "is the key to solving this problem long term."
05/27/08
Global Fund Seeks G8 Commitment Despite Slowdown
Source: Reuters:: Darren Ennis; Courtesy of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention