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Singer Annie Lennox has urged the UK to increase its support in the battle against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The HIV/AIDS campaigner was joined in her call by British adventurer and Malaria No More UK special ambassador Ash Dykes, at an event hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Groups on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Speaking to MPs, Lennox said that ending a death sentence for millions of impoverished people is possible, but only with the UK’s increased commitment to the Global Fund, the international public-private partnership set up in 2002 to combat fatal infections. It has so far saved more than 17 million lives.
Lennox urged the decision makers to pledge a 20% boost to their previous three year commitment to the Global Fund. The £1.2 billion of funding, over three years, would help to save 1.1 million lives.
“We should be proud of the leadership role and dedication to global public health that the UK has shown to date,” she said. “But now is the critical time to invest further in the global response against the three diseases if we are to reach the sustainable development goal targets by 2030.”
Ash Dykes, also added his voice to the campaign, saying: “I nearly died from malaria earlier this year on my expedition crossing Madagascar. It was a life-changer. I also saw how this disease rips communities apart, with the majority of victims being young children.
“That’s why the Global Fund and UK leadership is so important, and it’s making a real difference - over 550 million mosquito nets have been distributed since 2002.”
The Global Fund invests nearly US$4 billion a year providing affordable and effective treatment, plus supporting local prevention health programmes in communities most in need.
It has set a $13 billion target ahead of its replenishment meeting in Canada in September, to help save 8 million lives and avert 300 million new infections across the three diseases over the next 3 years. Canada, the European Union and Japan have already committed to the 20% increase needed, but the Global Fund will only reach its target if the UK government also increases its contribution.
The All Party Parliamentary Groups meeting was organised by The ONE Campaign, STOPAIDS UK, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Malaria No More UK, RESULTS UK and Comic Relief.
