Health in dire straits

GLOBAL FUND: CUTS A HUGE SETBACK IN WAR AGAINST AIDS, TB AND MALARIA

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Calls to replenish the Global Fund have been renewed as the worldwide battle against Aids, tuberculosis and malaria is threatened by cuts in global health financing.

This was revealed by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which has expressed concerns about the risk of losing hard-won progress in the fight against the highly infectious diseases.

In its latest report, Deadly Gaps, MSF highlighted the alarming impact of funding shortfalls in high-burdened countries where community-based health programmes were being scaled down or discontinued.

The organisation said the situation had resulted in increased illness, loss of followup and rising mortality.

Key donors, including the US, have yet to announce pledges for the Global Fund's next three-year funding cycle in November.

In January, the US, previously the largest funder of global health programmes, announced a suspension and review of all aid.