|
Press Release |
OTHER PRESS RELEASES |
|
6 July 2007 |
The Global Fund Welcomes New India HIV Estimates
Geneva - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria welcomes estimates released today by the India National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), indicating that national adult HIV prevalence in the country was approximately 0.36 percent in 2006.
The new estimates are more accurate than those of previous years, as they are based on an expanded surveillance system and a revised and enhanced methodology.
"This is positive news. Accuracy in disease prevalence is one of the most important factors in developing effective prevention and treatment strategies," said Dr Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. "We congratulate India on its improved surveillance system. These updated figures will help the government of India to better focus on efforts aimed at containing the spread of the disease. The Global Fund is basing its funding on measurable results and is committed to working closely with India to beat the epidemic."
The Global Fund currently has three grants worth more than US$ 490 million dollars over five years aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS in India. The grants are used to promote voluntary counseling and testing; prevent transmission of HIV within the general population and within communities at risk and to provide antiretroviral drugs and care and support to people living with HIV.
Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has become the dominant financer of programs to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, with US$ 10.4 billion in firm pledges and approved funding of US$ 7.6 billion for 450 programs in 136 countries. So far, programs supported by the Global Fund have provided AIDS and TB treatment to 1.1 million people and 2.8 million people, respectively, and distributed 30 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria. To date, these programs have averted 1.8 million deaths worldwide.
####
The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.
For broadcast standard video supporting this event, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/globalfund If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please e-mail
Further information, please contact:
| Jon Lidén - The Global Fund, Geneva Office: + 41 22 791 1723 Mobile: + 41 79 244 6006 |
Nicolas Demey - The Global Fund, Geneva |
