GROUP CALLS FOR MORE FUNDING FOR HIV, TB AND MALARIA

The Global AIDS Alliance has decried the U.S. Congress' expected decision to cut 2007 funding for programs to fight HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria in Africa. According to the group, Congress is expected to approve a budget that is nearly $1 billion short of what was previously agreed on.

The group has called on Congress to reinstate the previously agreed 2007 spending levels and allocate:$3.42 billion for AIDS and TB research programs, including activities in the 15 African countries that are the focus of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR);$700 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria;$300 million for an emergency response to the global XDR-TB crisis and additional TB programs; and$234 million for malaria programs, including the President's Malaria Initiative, which fights malaria in Africa.

To illustrate its point, the group gave the example that PEPFAR, on losing up to $700 million in funding, would be able to put 280,000 fewer people on HIV treatment unless Congress takes action. So far, two U.S. senators have responded by writing a letter to their colleagues to answer the call.