Critics Say Global Disease Program Is Neglecting Crucial Treatments

Activists who gathered in Brussels on Thursday demanded more money for the global fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, and they complained that the fund has accomplished little so far. The fund, which accepts contributions from countries as well as private entities, has to date received pledges valued at more than $1.4 billion.

"Money should be allocated immediately to treatment programs that already exist and to health care structure where there are professional medical providers and empty medical cabinets," said Sharonann Lynch, a member of the nonprofit AIDS group US Health GAP Coalition. "They are focusing on improving overall health care systems while 10,000 people a day are dying because of lack of drugs," Lynch said.

Macharia Kamau, a member of the group working to set up the fund, said the concerns are "legitimate." However, he said it is early in the fund's development and "we are still trying to figure out how this institution is trying to operate and how it will work." Zackie Achmat, who chairs an AIDS support group in South Africa, said there are programs in Africa that cannot afford to buy AIDS drugs. "They [the Global Fund] are too slow, they are losing political goodwill, and they are showing no visible signs of commitment to providing antiretroviral [drugs] to poor people," Achmat said.

Kamau, however, insisted there will be provisions for antiretroviral drugs. "The fund will and can support antiretroviral drugs," he said, adding that disbursement of funds will depend on the "demands at country level."

Back to other CDC news for November 26, 2001

Previous Updates