Latest news with #GlobalFundtoFightAIDS
New York Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
The Boom Years of Global Charity Are Over. What Comes Next?
Will anyone ever give like this again? When Bill and Melinda French Gates established their world-shaping Gates Foundation in 2000, you could say it marked the peak of a certain era of starry-eyed optimism among the world's private-jet elite. This month, when Bill Gates celebrated the foundation's 25th anniversary by announcing he was putting it on a glide path to closing, he pledged that he would be spending even more aggressively, distributing 99 percent of his astronomical wealth in just two decades. But the announcement looked nevertheless like a turning of the page, even a passing of the baton. I spoke with Gates about the decision over two days last month outside Palm Springs, Calif., and to me it felt like a trip in a time machine to a throwback era not so distant in years but disorientingly foreign in mood. Sometimes called the end of history, sometimes the time of globalization and sometimes the age of neoliberalism, that era was defined by new levels of extreme wealth, technocratic confidence in the human capacity to transform the world and a somewhat miraculous — and often underappreciated — wave of improvements in the lives of the least well off. One benefit of truly extreme wealth is that it allows one to sail into the future somewhat unperturbed by the choppiness of the cultural waters. But for someone tallying the achievements of a generation of global giving, it is hard not to worry about the direction of change and the way the winds are blowing. There were blind spots to that old worldview, to be sure, not to mention missteps and blunders when its evangelists brought the new developmental gospel to the front lines. In 2018, an evaluation determined that one of the Gates Foundation's central educational initiatives had been a failure — perhaps a sobering sign for future endeavors focused on artificial intelligence in schools. In 2021, the foundation funded an audit that concluded that its agricultural initiatives in Africa had been a mixed bag — a gentler critique than those that advocates on the ground had been making for years, both on the basis of limited returns and in explicitly anticolonialist terms. In the midst of the pandemic, Gates argued against releasing intellectual property to accelerate the global distribution of Covid shots, leaving shortfalls in the global south, which critics there called 'vaccine apartheid.' But the period also produced enormous dividends: huge improvements in extreme poverty globally, as well as maternal mortality and childhood death rates, to name just a few metrics. Western philanthropy was far from the sole driver of these gains; a large part of the poverty reduction, especially, took place in China. And yet just through its work with Gavi and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, two programs it also helped establish, the Gates Foundation has a plausible claim to helping save more than 80 million lives. That is an absolutely staggering achievement, one that places the Gateses in the philanthropic pantheon right next to the robber barons whose Gilded Age giving first inspired them. Not everyone saw this work as charitably as did globalization's leadership class, who sometimes cheered development philanthropies as a way of affirming the justice of a world system on whose top they proudly sat. After all, even as extreme poverty fell by three-quarters in what were often called the miraculous decades of the 1990s and the 2000s, the wealth gap between the world's poorest and the world's richest didn't decline; it ballooned, with the income gains flooding to the globe's top 10 percent hundreds of times as large as those going to the bottom 10 percent. As skeptics of foreign aid have been pointing out for quite a while, adjusted for inflation, the average income in sub-Saharan Africa has barely grown since 1970 — more than 50 years and several distinct lost decades ago. Developmental aid has probably produced as many cautionary tales as economic boom success stories, and to bring all the world's people out of poverty, the World Bank recently estimated, would take more than a century; to bring them up to the poverty level of rich nations would take far longer. 'G.D.P. is magic stuff,' Gates told me. 'But you also want your interventions to help out even before that growth kicks in.' And they have: Rates of childhood death and maternal mortality remain much higher among the world's poor than the world's rich, but each has also been cut roughly in half in just a few decades. Smallpox has been eradicated globally, and Guinea worm and polio appear to be on their way out. This isn't the work of one man or one couple or one foundation, however large. But that one foundation and its billions of dollars have played an outsize role. A decade ago, it would have been easy to look at those improvements and trust that the trends would continue wherever the growth rates or political currents went — the project of global health so deeply embedded in international institutions that it had begun to seem almost like the basic compensatory infrastructure of an outrageously unequal world. Today, it's less clear how interested the world's richest are in offering such compensation, with that infrastructure looking much less secure as a result. President George W. Bush's PEPFAR program to deliver H.I.V. treatment globally has been credited with saving an estimated 25 million lives, but instead of confirming its value beyond any public doubt, the opposite seems to have happened. In just a few months, the Trump administration's attack on U.S. foreign aid has already been blamed, by some trackers, for the needless deaths of more than 200,000 people abroad. In 2021, JD Vance called the Gates Foundation and its breed 'cancers on American society,' and Stephen Miller, a top adviser to President Trump, has criticized it for promoting 'the most hateful, toxic and Marxist ideologies.' You can even see some Trump-y accelerationist types mocking Gates online for having sold so much of his Microsoft stock, because holding onto it over the decades would have meant that he never had to relinquish the title of world's richest man — as though wealth itself would have been a more lasting monument than the millions of lives he saved. And what of global health? Last year, acknowledging that the boom years for progress had ended, Gates wondered publicly how long the slowdown would last. Now he describes his speed-run approach less in the language of shortfalls or crises than through the logic of opportunity. Others at the foundation talk in terms of imagining a future in which, by making enough progress toward its headline targets, the organization could also make itself unnecessary. Many in the developing world would like to imagine that, too, some of them for somewhat different reasons. But in the near term, the influence of the Gates Foundation isn't heading for a sunset but a sunrise. In recent years, the foundation has been the second largest donor to the World Health Organization. With the United States' withdrawal, it will become the largest single supporter of what is now a much more vulnerable institution. Probably the same pattern will repeat elsewhere: If we are genuinely entering a fallow period, the relative influence of the biggest donors will only grow. Already there are those asking, somewhat in desperation, why Gates isn't doing even more. And the years ahead do look fallow. The United States has been responsible for one-third of all funding for global health, and the cuts to basic science and R. & D. may prove just as gutting. For decades now, money flowed from the world's rich to the world's poor partly to meet fundamental needs that could not be met locally, and the world's exploding debt crisis has made the problem only more acute: Forty percent of the planet lives in places that spend more money paying interest on their debts than on health or education; the number of African countries where debts have passed 60 percent of G.D.P. has doubled in a decade; and it costs roughly 10 times as much to borrow money south of the Mediterranean as it does north of the Alps. Violence and warfare have grown globally, particularly across the poorer world, and relatedly, there are now nearly 200 million more people living with food insecurity than before the pandemic. Perhaps it isn't enough to torpedo comforting narratives of global progress or materially undermine all those global health gains. But if it looked for a time as though the turn of the millennium had initiated a new phase of developmental history, it's a lot less clear where things are heading next.
Arab Times
08-03-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait leads MENA region in achieving 90-90-90 HIV targets: UN
GENEVA, March 8: Kuwait's permanent delegation to Geneva highlighted the country's significant progress in combating the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at the national level, according to United Nations reports. This success is largely attributed to the expansion of free, confidential voluntary testing and the provision of preventive treatments both before and after exposure to infection. The statement was delivered by Diplomatic Attaché Sarah Al-Hasawi on behalf of the State of Kuwait at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, during a panel discussion on combating HIV. Al-Hasawi outlined that Kuwait has led the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in achieving the 90-90-90 targets. These indicators mean that 90% of people living with HIV are aware of their infection, 90% of those diagnosed are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 90% of those receiving treatment have an undetectable viral load in their blood. She also emphasized that Kuwait is making steady progress toward the next goal, the 95-95-95 indicators, as part of its national strategy to combat AIDS. Additionally, Al-Hasawi noted that Kuwait has allowed the employment of individuals living with HIV in jobs that do not pose a risk to their health or others, ensuring their full integration into society. She stressed that Kuwait has adopted premarital medical examinations as part of its strategy to enhance health prevention. The country continues to implement widespread awareness campaigns to fight social stigma and encourage individuals to get tested, particularly in schools and universities, to promote effective prevention efforts. On the international front, Al-Hasawi highlighted Kuwait's ongoing support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, with contributions totaling $27 million over the past 20 years. These funds have been crucial in ensuring equitable access to treatment and supporting the global effort to eliminate AIDS by 2030. In conclusion, Al-Hasawi reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to the belief that the right to health is a fundamental human right. She emphasized that combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic requires non-discrimination, the preservation of dignity, and the protection of the privacy of those infected. Furthermore, she called for a unified global response to tackle the virus comprehensively.
Bloomberg
18-02-2025
- Health
- Bloomberg
Global Fund Seeks $18 Billion as US Retreats From Public Health
Financing for global health has never looked more dire as the world reels from US President Donald Donald Trump's dramatic pullback. Now the biggest funder of programs against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria is looking to the UK and others to urgently raise some $18 billion. A lack of financing could upend a target to end AIDS by 2030 – a goal that's tantalizingly within reach – and threaten many lives, according to the executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Zawya
17-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
African leaders appoint a new African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Chair President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana; taking over from HE President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau; and commit to Change the Story on malaria and demand a big push to achieve malaria elimination including a successful Global Fund replenishment
Against the backdrop of the 2024 Africa Malaria Progress Report, which reveals stagnating progress and mounting threats to malaria elimination across the continent, Heads of State and Government at the African Union Summit committed to mobilising domestic resources and scaling up integrated and innovative financing. Leaders also urged global partners to recommit to the fight against malaria through the replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. As a new chair takes over the helm of ALMA; African leaders underscored the need for a unified and decisive response. This call to action was supported by the launch of a new stage of the 'Change the Story' campaign, which amplifies children's stories of how malaria has impacted their lives. The 'perfect storm' threatens to reverse decades of progress Released at the Summit, the 2024 'Africa Malaria Progress Report' paints a picture of a defining moment in Africa's fight against malaria, showing that progress continues to stagnate leaving Africa's ambitious goal to eliminate malaria by 2030 in jeopardy. The report warns that malaria elimination in Africa is facing serious threats including insufficient resources, rapid population growth, climate change, biological resistance including insecticide and drug resistance, and the devastating impacts of humanitarian crises. Together, these factors create a 'perfect storm', which threatens to reverse decades of progress, making the fight against malaria harder. Leaders underscored that lifting the continent out of this storm will require intensified resource mobilisation, including through innovative financing, domestic resource mobilisation and rapid introduction and scale up of new interventions and commodities. H.E. President Embaló hands over ALMA chairmanship to President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, of the Republic of Botswana. Concluding his tenure as Chair of the ALMA after more than two years of strong leadership in malaria advocacy across the continent, H.E. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau officially handed over Chairmanship to President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko who pledged to continue advancing the malaria elimination agenda while emphasising the importance of prioritising increased resources across the board to prevent a catastrophic resurgence and put progress towards malaria elimination back on track. 'Africa must urgently rise to the challenge by mobilizing domestic resources, including by drawing down on the resources in our emergency funds and increasing our health budget allocations. We must also scale up innovative financing including through End Malaria Councils and Funds, and leverage platforms like World Bank IDA and the Green Climate Fund to ensure that our national programmes are fully equipped to drive the malaria agenda forward. ' said President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko. Present at the handover ceremony, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia and a former Chair of ALMA, noted that nine End Malaria Councils have since been established, and have collectively raised over $125 million in the fight against malaria. 'These multisectoral councils also promote primary health care including through the engagement of community health workers. These Community Health Workers are crucial in the fight against many diseases including malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia, are pivotal to primary health care and must be scaled up'. A successful Global Fund replenishment is vital to get back on track for elimination 'Malaria is a pathfinder for health systems strengthening, primary healthcare, and pandemic preparedness, and it exemplifies the pressing need to address the health impacts of climate change. This is why we must ensure sufficient resources to address malaria, HIV and TB and strengthen health systems, especially in the upcoming Global Fund replenishment.,' said Her Excellency Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, the Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the African Union Commission. The Global Fund is the largest source of funding for malaria, providing 62% of all international financing for malaria programmes. It is therefore essential that the Global Fund replenishment this year is successful. The report further highlights the urgency of scaling up next-generation tools, including dual insecticide-treated nets, new insecticides, new malaria medicines, and malaria vaccines. To this end, leaders called for the fast-tracking of these interventions and ensuring that they are deployed to address the growing challenge of biological resistance. Manufacturing this tools locally, in Africa, can drive economic growth while also advancing public health outcomes. Change the Story: A new campaign to galvanise action and drive increased political will and investment Also taking place at the summit was the premiere of a new film as part of the latest stage of the international 'Change the Story' campaign. Children are the most vulnerable to malaria and yet their voices often go unheard. This campaign captures powerful stories from children on malaria's impact on their lives, highlighting the human cost of the disease, underscoring the urgent need for action including increased investment in malaria elimination. The campaign encourages leaders to support this year's critical replenishment of funding into the Global Fund. It also provides a platform for malaria endemic countries to take further action to accelerate malaria reduction, including increasing domestic investment to tackle the disease. The campaign's latest stage is backed by high profile campaign supporters including Zero Malaria Ambassador, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who urged 'We need to listen to children's voices today as the decisions our leaders make will determine their futures tomorrow. Nigeria, where I was born, carries the greatest burden of malaria, so I know first-hand how this disease can stunt children's educations, steal their livelihoods and sometimes take their lives. This is why we urgently need to change the story of malaria. Leaders must turn the page and start a new, more hopeful chapter to save lives.' Through the new campaign film, we learn about the devastating impact of severe flooding in Mozambique, through the compelling story of a young girl, Gloria, who lives in Boane. 'I remember when the sky got really angry. The rain came down so hard it was like elephants dancing on the roof. The roof flew away and the house started to fill with water. Our house was gone, the greedy water took it all - our beds, our mosquito nets and my favourite toy. We ran to school to hide. It was the scariest time of my life,' shared Gloria. Celebrating Egypt's malaria-free certification by WHO Amid persisting challenges in the fight against malaria, Egypt's malaria-free certification marked a notable milestone in 2024. During the press conference President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko; and Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the ADG and Acting Regional Director of the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), presented Ambassador Ashraf Sweilam, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Organizations and Communities for the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Personal Representative of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt to AUDA-NEPAD, with an award in recognition of this achievement, noting that victory against malaria is attainable. Lasting progress is attainable with full commitment According to the 2024 Africa Malaria Progress Report, there has been a 38% reduction in malaria incidence and a 60% reduction in mortality since 2000, preventing 1.8 billion cases and saving 11.9 million lives in Africa over the past two decades. This progress illustrates that despite pressing challenges, lasting progress against malaria is attainable with full commitment. In his remarks, H.E. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló reminded leaders, policymakers, and partners of the critical need to act now and support a big push. Now is the time to accelerate the continent to malaria elimination. Access the 2024 AU Malaria report here Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA). Media inquiries and requests should be directed to: Wynne Musabayana Head of Communications | African Union Commission Email: musabayanaw@ Web: Thomas Davies African Leaders Malaria Alliance Email: TDavies@ Web: About ALMA: Founded in 2009, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) is a ground-breaking coalition of African Heads of State and Government working across country and regional borders to achieve a malaria-free Africa by 2030. All Member States of the African Union are members of ALMA. About Change the Story Campaign: For more information on the 'Change the Story' campaign, visit: . Change the Story is part of 'Zero Malaria'; a global movement committed to ending malaria in a generation by lifting the voices of people impacted by malaria, connecting communities with leaders and providing platforms and campaigns that unite everyone in solidarity to end malaria, one of the world's oldest and deadliest diseases. For more information, visit:
