UK GOVERNMENT ADDS £1BN TO FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, TB & MALARIA
Andrew Stunell MPshowed his support for the UK's pledge of £1bn to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, ahead of the Global Fund replenishment conference in Washington D.C. in Westminster this week.
Andrew Stunell MPsaid "It is good to see the UK's pledge of of £1bn to the Global Fund doing so much good work combating disease, and we now need other world leaders to to join us and commit to bringing malaria, TB and AIDS under control."
Sir Andrew welcomed progress made so far in tackling the AIDS epidemic, with 9.7 million people now accessing treatment, and AIDS-related deaths declining from a peak of 2.2 million in the mid-2000s to 1.6 million in 2012.
But Andrew also heard how far we still have to go, with 16 million people still not accessing anti-retroviral treatment AND 1.6 million people dying of AIDS-related illnesses in 2012.
Andrewjoined STOPAIDS in calling upon world leaders to follow the UK'S example and fully commit to the Global Fund.
Ben Simms of STOPAIDS said "We were delighted to talk to Sir Andrew about how the UK's support for the Global Fund means the UK public are helping to save a life every three minutes. This World AIDS Day we remember the 35 million people who have lost their lives to AIDS and call on the governments of other countries to follow the UK's lead."
Sunday 1st December marked the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a day when activists and people living with HIV from around the world come together in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
STOPAIDS is the network of 80 UK agencies working since 1986 to secure an effective global response to HIV and AIDS. www.stopaids.org.uk