May 5, 2008

Global Fund May Provide Loans to Wealthy Countries

Officials at the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are contemplating a move to start loaning money to developing countries that grow too wealthy to qualify for grants, Reuters reports (reuters.com, 5/4).

On May 4, Michel Kazatchkine, the fund’s director, said that offering loans would allow the fund to help governments where rates of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria infections are high and wealth is growing.

“To us it’s important that when the world’s money for aid is being distributed it not only takes into account economic factors but also, for example, burden of disease,” said Kazatchkine.

By the end of 2009, 10 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia will no longer qualify for Global Fund grants because they will be considered upper-income countries. However, many of these countries still need assistance in tackling AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, Reuters reports.

Search: Global Fund, tuberculosis, malaria

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Michael, , 2008-05-06 13:44:23
I feel that this is wrong. If the country has the higher income to qualify, then they should not get these loans for that money should only be used to help those countries who are poor and need the help and only for HIV and no other diease. After all, this is the World AIDs fund.

Greg747, Patchogue, LI, 2008-05-06 12:37:32
Great News! Please let me know to whom to send my grant application on behalf of HIV AIDS support services on Long Island, New York. Why you may ask? Because our families are treated as third-world here. Almost all of our support services funding was lost due to the awful Treatment Modernization Act, thanks to the GOP, Bush, and the Dept of Health and Human Services in DC. PWAs here in New York are seeking food, heat, and housing, some in need of running water. Rich country, huh.