OF NOTE THIS WEEK

Because of the global economic slump, some of the biggest donors to HIV/AIDS treatment programs are seeing their budgets slashed, while others fear for their very survival, International AIDS Society President Julio Montaner told participants at an AIDS conference that began Sunday in Cape Town, the Globe and Mail reports. The Global Fund, for example, wants up to $30 billion next year to replenish its coffers, but is worried a new funding drive will lag behind growing demand, Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine told Reuters on the sidelines of the event.

NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DONORS

• The Global Fund and Togo's Ministry of Health sign a €20 million grant agreement over two years for HIV/AIDS
• PEPFAR and Becton, Dickinson and Company note progress in improving lab conditions and enhancing the skills of lab personnel working on HIV/AIDS and TB in sub-Saharan Africa

OTHER NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Global Fund Concerned about Funding Targets (Reuters)
• Recession, Broken Promises Posing Health Disaster: AIDS Experts (Globe and Mail)
• ARVs Could Be Used to Prevent HIV Infection (All Africa)
• Uganda: 92,000 New HIV Infections Registered (New Vision)
• AIDS Vaccine Funding Declines for First Time (Voice of America)
• Circumcision Helps Protect Men, Not Women from AIDS (Reuters)
• Alarming Africa Male Gay HIV Rate (BBC)