Burnet Institute has warmly welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement today to increase its contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to AUD$220 million.

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP reaffirmed Australia will increase its support of Global Fund programs by 10 percent for the 2017-19 period. Canada, Germany and Italy have also increased their contributions to the Global Fund, while the United States has committed to provide one dollar for every two dollars committed by other international donors.

The Global Fund is the world’s largest funder of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Since 2002, Global Fund-supported programs have saved an estimated 20 million lives, including 10 million in the Indo-Pacific region.

Burnet Institute Director and CEO, Professor Brendan Crabb AC said the impact of Australia’s increased contribution would greatly benefit vulnerable communities in our region.

“The Global Fund achieves its greatest impact in the development of health systems that deliver solutions to malaria, TB, and HIV and AIDS,” Professor Crabb said.

“Investing in the Global Fund is a life-saving decision, with the contributions committed by nations working to build strong and resilient health systems to tackle the devastating affects of these diseases.

“Australia is working with the Global Fund to solve the challenges of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Asia and Papua New Guinea, and the emergence of drug-resistant malaria in the Greater Mekong.

‘But we also need new diagnostic tools, new vaccines and better drug therapies for all three diseases to achieve the ultimate goal – elimination."

Read the Australian Government’s media release.