Frontline AIDS welcomes UK’s strong commitment to The Global Fund

Frontline AIDS today welcomed the UK Government’s contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which will help save 2 million lives.

Speaking following the announcement by UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, in Tokyo, Frontline AIDS Executive Director Christine Stegling said:

“The UK is a leader in global health and today’s announcement underlines its commitment to stepping up the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria. A fully funded Global Fund can save 16 million lives and avert 234 million new infections by 2023 and it is vital to our collective effort to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030.

“We are at a crossroads in the HIV response. We need clear political and financial leadership from donors and implementing countries if we want to ensure we do not lose the gains from the last 20 years and strive for a future free from AIDS for everyone, everywhere.

“Almost one million people died of AIDS-related illnesses last year and infection rates remain stubbornly high at more than 1.5 million per year. Through its strong support for the Global Fund, the UK is helping to build a healthy, equitable and prosperous world for all and we hope others will follow its lead.”

Frontline AIDS is one of the largest civil society partnerships engaged with the Global Fund. In 2018, the Global Fund invested US$ 68 million across our programmes to support HIV prevention, treatment and care services for marginalised people. For example, in India, our partner MAMTA is providing non-judgemental HIV and STI testing for adolescent girls and young women and their partners and connecting those diagnosed with HIV to treatment.

In October 2019, President Macron will host the Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment Conference in Lyon. This Replenishment seeks to raise at least US$14 billion.