05.12.09

Durbin Works with Leahy to Secure Additional $50 Million for Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he, along with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), has secured $50 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The funds will be included in the supplemental spending package that the Senate will consider next week. Today’s funds are in addition to $50 million Durbin had already secured for FY09.

 

“Today there are over 33 million people worldwide living with HIV. Every year, more than 2 million die and 2.7 million more will become infected, “Durbin said. “ It is through programs like Global Fund that we’re beginning to see a change. I appreciate Senator Leahy’s help in securing these funds and will continue to work to ensure the United States is a leader in the fight against global AIDS.”

 

Started in 2002, the Global Fund is a critical tool in the fight against these three pandemics that kill millions each year. In just over five years, the Global Fund has committed more than $15 billion to 140 countries around the world. In addition, every dollar committed by the United States is matched and doubled by other contributors.

 

It has had notable successes, including 2 million people treated with lifesaving AIDS treatments; 4.6 million treated for TB; and 70 million bed nets distributed to protect pregnant women and their children from malaria.

 

On average, every $100 million contribution to the Global Fund will generate the following results:

• 630,000 bed nets to fight malaria, and

• 150,000 treatments for malaria, and,

• 80,000 highly-effective DOTS treatments for TB, and

• 370,000 people with HIV tests, and 11,000 people with life-saving AIDS treatment.

Last year, Durbin was a leader in the efforts to pass the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act, known more commonly as PEPFAR. The bill authorized nearly $50 billion, over five years, in funding to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the developing world. The legislation also included Senator Durbin’s African Health Capacity Investment Act – a comprehensive and bipartisan bill to help sub-Saharan African nations confront the alarming shortage of health workers.