The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed health systems, and lockdowns have disrupted health services worldwide. This has had a devastating impact on efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. TB and malaria deaths have increased and progress on reducing HIV-related deaths has stalled. The world needs to redouble the efforts in fighting for all those that have not reached, in particular vulnerable women and girls, it is to stay on course to achieve the goal of eliminating these diseases as epidemics by 2030.
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just announced at the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment pledging conference, hosted by the United States in New York, Canada will commit $1.21 billion to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria. The Prime Minister also announced an allocation of $100 million for the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism, which supports countries to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on programs to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria, and initiates urgent improvements in health and community systems.
“We are committed to leaving no one behind. The Global Fund is central to the worldwide fight against the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria epidemics—and is a critical partner in advancing sexual reproductive health and rights. Over the past 20 years, 50 million lives have been saved through the Global Fund partnership and today’s contribution will support the Global Fund in saving 20 million more. Given the scale of need, I encourage all partners to sustain their financial support to the Global Fund, and other key partners like UNAIDS and the Stop TB Partnership. This is a worldwide fight, and only together we will be able to maximize the effectiveness of our collective investments,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.
AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria are devastating and deadly diseases that affect the most vulnerable and marginalized – including women and girls who are less likely to have access to life-saving treatments – yet, they are largely preventable and treatable. The Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, technical partners, the private sector, and people affected by diseases to support country-led prevention, treatment, and care programs.
The Global Fund’s dedication to a people-centered and country-driven approach has made it possible to find solutions that deliver the most impact. Over the past 20 years, 50 million lives have been saved through the Global Fund partnership and today’s contribution will support the Global Fund in saving 20 million more.
The work of the Global Fund and key partners like UNAIDS and the Stop TB Partnership has been critical to increasing access to prevention, treatment, and care for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria around the world, and Canada will remain a steadfast partner in these efforts.