PHM-Exch> UN-BACKED FUND REACHES OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE WITH AIDS TREATMENT

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Vern Weitzel <vern.weitzel at gmail.com>
crossposted from: "[health-vn discussion group]" <health-vn at anu.edu.au>

From: UNNews <UNNews at un.org>
More than 2 million people living with HIV have been reached with
life-saving
treatment thanks to the United Nations-backed
<"http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/pressreleases/?pr=pr_090708">Global Fund
to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, marking a 30 per cent jump from last
year.

Results released today show that on top of the 2.3 million people receiving
anti-retroviral medicines for AIDS, Global Fund-backed schemes have also
provided 5.4 million people with effective treatment for TB, the leading
cause
of death among HIV-infected people.

Further, the Fund reported success in the fight against malaria, with 88
million
insecticide-treated bednets delivered to families, up from 59 million nets
last
year.

“In less than eight years, the Global Fund has gone from a concept to a
driver
of change,” said Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine. “When we first began
our
work in 2002, few people in developing countries were being treated for AIDS
or
tuberculosis. Malaria was a neglected disease. Many countries simply did not
have the resources to fight these diseases effectively.”

But now, “the story is changing dramatically,” he said, adding that while
greater efforts are needed, “real progress” against the diseases has been
made.

The information released today combined data from Global Fund-supported
initiatives in 140 countries, and showed, among other things, that nearly 80
million people have been reached by HIV counselling and testing, almost 4
million AIDS orphans and vulnerable children have been provided with basic
care
and support, and 1.4 billion condoms have been distributed worldwide.
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
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