News Releases

Global Fund-supported programs deliver AIDS treatment for 3 million people

01 December 2010

160 million Bed Nets distributed to Prevent Malaria, 7.7 million people
treated for TB

GENEVA – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced new results today that show a 20% increase in the number of people receiving life-saving antiretroviral treatment, a 28% rise in the number of people treated for tuberculosis and a 53% jump in the number of insecticide-treated bed nets distributed, in the programs it supports, compared with December 2009.

As a result of all these interventions, an estimated total of 6.5 million lives were saved by the Global Fund supported programs by end of 2010. This means approximately 4,400 lives saved each day.

AIDS programs supported by the Global Fund are providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to 3 million people living with HIV – out of the total of more than 5.2 million who receive ARV treatment worldwide.

Combating HIV/AIDS is a shared global responsibility and in addition to the Global Fund’s impact, many also benefit from programs supported by the world’s largest bilateral effort to fight AIDS, the U.S. Government’s AIDS program, PEPFAR. Of the more than 5.2 million individuals in low- and middle-income countries who currently receive treatment, 4.7 million receive support through PEPFAR, the Global Fund, or both. The U.S. is the first and largest donor to the Global Fund, providing more than $5.1 billion to date, and President Obama’s Administration announced in October an unprecedented multi-year pledge of $4 billion for 2011-2013, a 38% increase in U.S. support.

“As we approach the 30th anniversary of the first report of AIDS, we can say that we are finally making progress against this disease“, said Prof. Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “The fact that the Fund is financing antiretroviral treatment for 3 million people is really a significant milestone. Together with the U.S. bilateral efforts through PEPFAR we are making real progress in providing AIDS treatment to those who need it. And trends we are seeing, such as major reductions in HIV prevalence among young people in the worst-affected countries, show that we also are making an impact with prevention”, he said.

In addition, Global Fund-supported tuberculosis programs have so far provided 7.7 million people with effective TB drugs treatment. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people infected with HIV, according to the World Health Organisation.

The Global Fund also reported progress in the fight against malaria, with a cumulative total of 160 million insecticide-treated bed nets delivered through its funded programs to families at risk of contracting the disease. Several large bed net distributions are underway, which will mean that by year-end, there will be significant further progress towards the target of reaching every family in sub-Saharan Africa with an insecticide-treated bed net.

Result at a glance:

Global Fund results Dec. 2010 Dec. 2009 % increase
Number of people currently receiving ARVs 3 million 2.5 million 20%
New smear-positive TB cases detected and treated 7.7 million 6 million 28%
Nets distributed (ITNS and LLNS) 160 million 104 million 53%
ITN: Insecticide-treated net, LLIN: Long-lasting insecticidal net

Additional results showed that 2.7 billion condoms have been distributed; one million HIV-positive pregnant women have received a complete course of ARV prophylaxis to reduce mother-to-child transmission; 150 million HIV counselling and testing sessions have been conducted and delivered to people and over 5 million basic care and support services have been provided to AIDS orphans and vulnerable children since the Global Fund started financing grants in 2003.

In October 2010, at its Third Voluntary Replenishment, the Global Fund secured US$ 11.7 billion in pledges for the period 2011-2013. Even though donor countries committed significant amounts, especially considering the current severe budgetary constraints, total pledges fell short of the estimated resources needed to meet demand from developing countries seeking to further scale up their diseases’ programs.

“The replenishment result means that the Fund can save many more lives in the next three years, but it is still less than countries need. We will need more donors to the Fund from the public and private sectors, from the north and the south, and more innovation in health financing, if we are to win the fight against AIDS in the coming years”, said Prof. Kazatchkine.

With approved funding of US$ 19.7 billion for more than 570 grants, the Global Fund provides one-fifth of international resources to fight AIDS, as well as 63% of international funding to fight tuberculosis and 60% of international funding to fight malaria.