Durbin Statement on Passage of Bill Authorizing Global AIDS Relief Effort

Press Release

Durbin Statement on Passage of Bill Authorizing Global AIDS Relief Effort

United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act, known more commonly as the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. The bill authorizes nearly $50 billion, over five years, in funding to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the developing world. The bill also makes a strong US commitment to the Global Fund.

"The United States must continue to be a leader in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, and I'm pleased that the Senate acted in bipartisan fashion to do just that."

"This bill authorizes Congress to commit our fair share to battle the global AIDS problem - a crisis that will challenge us for decades to come. As the world's wealthiest and most powerful nation, our actions encourage other donor nations to step up and devote additional resources to fight the global AIDS pandemic."

"Today there are over 33 million people worldwide living with HIV. Every year, more than 2 million die and 2.5 million more will become infected with HIV. It is through programs like PEPFAR and the Global Fund that we're beginning to see a change."

Started in 2002, the Global Fund is a critical tool in the fight against these three pandemics that kill millions each year. In just over five years, the Global Fund has committed more than $10 billion to 136 countries around the world. In addition, every dollar committed by the United States is matched and doubled by other contributors.

It has had notable successes, including 1.4 million people treated with lifesaving AIDS treatments; 3.3 million treated for TB; and 46 million bed nets distributed to protect pregnant women and their children from malaria.

On average, every $100 million contribution to the Global Fund will generate the following results:

* 630,000 bed nets to fight malaria, and
* 150,000 treatments for malaria, and,
* 80,000 highly-effective DOTS treatments for TB, and
* 370,000 people with HIV tests, and 11,000 people with life-saving AIDS treatment.

Today's legislation also includes key elements of Senator Durbin's African Health Capacity Investment Act - a comprehensive and bipartisan bill to help sub-Saharan African nations confront the alarming shortage of health workers.

Sub-Saharan Africa has 10 percent of the world's population and is home to only 1.3 percent of the world's health workforce. It bears 25 percent of the world's overall of infectious diseases burden and nearly two-thirds of the world's HIV/AIDS burden.

Durbin has called the lack of health care workers and capacity in many African nations a "critical obstacle" in the world's fight against HIV/AIDS and a potential outbreak of avian flu, and in promoting economic development and growth. Thirteen countries on the continent have fewer than five physicians per 100,000 people. By comparison, the United States has 549 physicians per 100,000 people.

The African Health Capacity Investment Act promotes U.S. financial and technical assistance to help African countries develop national health workforce plans; improve health infrastructure and human resource management; and expand recruitment, training and retention efforts, especially in rural areas, for doctors, nurses, and paraprofessionals.

Source