February 12, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Friends) expresses deep concern with the Trump Administration’s proposal today of a $425 million cut to the Global Fund, which could set back global progress in the fight against the AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria epidemics. Friends calls on Congress to fully fund the Global Fund with an appropriation of $1.35 billion in fiscal year 2019, consistent with the U.S. pledge.
“These proposed cuts would squander our progress against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and risk resurgence of disease,” said Chris Collins, President of Friends. “Divesting from America’s commitment to fighting infectious diseases would have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people across the globe, and would undermine our own country’s security and economic interests. We cannot stand by and allow epidemics to continue to claim millions of lives, drain billions of dollars from economies, and put our own health security at risk.”
The Global Fund calculates that a cut of $425 million would translate to:
- 565,250 fewer lives saved through Global Fund-supported programs
- Loss of potential to prevent eight million new HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria infections
- 454,750 fewer people put on antiretroviral therapy
- 131,750 fewer women on treatment to prevent passing HIV to their babies
- 650,250 fewer people on TB treatment and care
- 18,275 fewer people on treatment for multidrug-resistant TB
- Twenty-six million fewer mosquito nets distributed to protect children and families from malaria
- 5.1 million fewer households receiving indoor residual spraying to protect children and families from malaria
- A lost opportunity to leverage $1.3 billion in domestic investment toward fighting AIDS, TB and malaria
- A lost opportunity to spur nearly $9.4 billion in long-term economic gains
U.S. support to the Global Fund leverages investments from across the globe. For every $1 the U.S. contributes to the Global Fund, other donors invest $2. In addition, every Global Fund grant contains a minimum of 15 percent co-financing requirement for domestic resources, enabling U.S. support to leverage increases in domestic investment for health programs by implementing countries. This has led to these countries committing an additional $6 billion in domestic financing to their health programs for the 2015-2017 period.
Friends is also seriously concerned by the proposed 30 percent cut to the U.S. International Affairs budget, including major cuts to other global health programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID’s TB program. These programs are closely interconnected with the Global Fund and rely on each other for success.
“Friends looks forward to working with champions from both parties in Congress to maintain Global Fund support,” said Jonathan Klein, Board Chair of Friends and Co-founder and Chairman of Getty Images. “We have made extraordinary progress thanks to longstanding U.S. leadership in global health. We cannot afford to step back on these lifesaving investments now.”
Read more about the impact proposed budget cuts would have on global health and the economy.
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About Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria advocates for U.S. support of the Global Fund, and the goal to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.theglobalfight.org.
Media Contact:
Katie Broendel, [email protected]
202.912.3833