Major increase in EU’s contribution to improve global health

EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, will today announce a major increase in the EU’s financial contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). The new funding with a total of €470 million for the period 2017-2019 represents an increase of €100 million or 27% in comparison to previous years (€370 million for 2014-2016). The announcement comes in the framework of a meeting with Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, in Brussels. Commissioner Mimica said: “One of the lessons learnt after the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the clear need to strengthen health systems in developing countries, so that infectious diseases can be controlled for good. With these €470 million, the EU’s contribution to the Global Fund will contribute to achieve our shared ambition to save 8 million more lives and avert up to 300 million infections. I call on others to raise their contributions so that more resilient systems can be built, and the special needs of women and girls and those of key affected populations be better served“.   “With this significant and increased pledge, Europe is demonstrating terrific leadership in global health,” added Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “At a time when Europe faces global challenges like the migrant crisis and climate change, ending epidemics is a top priority that is inter-connected with social stability, education and expanding opportunity.” A press release is available.