The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has saved 70 million lives since its launch in 2002 but warns that progress against these diseases faces serious threats from conflict, funding cuts, and global instability. The partnership has slashed the combined death rate from the three diseases by 63% and cut infections by 42% over the past quarter-century, according to a Global Fund press release. However, the organization says declining international support and interconnected crises could undo decades of hard-won gains.
HIV treatment reached record levels in 2024, with 88% of people in Global Fund countries knowing their status and 79% on antiretroviral therapy, according to the Results Report published by the organization. Use of pre-exposure prophylaxis surged 325% to 1.4 million people, while the Fund committed to reaching 2 million people with lenacapavir, a promising injectable prevention drug. TB treatment coverage hit 75% in Global Fund countries, up from 45% in 2010, with AI-powered detection and portable X-rays helping find more cases.
Malaria prevention also expanded, with 61% of at-risk populations accessing insecticide-treated nets and over 95% of suspected cases getting tested. Two countries, Suriname and Timor-Leste, achieved malaria-free status in 2025. Since 2002, HIV deaths dropped 82%, TB deaths fell 57%, and malaria deaths decreased 51% in Global Fund countries.
“This shows that with the right tools, strong partnerships and sustained investment, we can change the course of global health for the better,” said Peter Sands, Global Fund Executive Director.
But he warned that “in today’s fast-changing geopolitical environment, there is no room for complacency.” Fragile contexts bearing disproportionate disease burdens face mounting pressures from conflict, debt, and displacement.
The Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment, launched with South Africa and the UK as co-hosts, seeks funding to save 23 million more lives between 2027 and 2029. Australia, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, and private partners have made early pledges, but the organization warns that without sustained investment, diseases could resurge and threaten global health security.
