OF NOTE THIS WEEK

Seven of 10 AIDS projects financed around the world by the World Bank since 1997 had unsatisfactory outcomes, according to a report released last week by the Bank's Independent Evaluation Group, the New York Times reports. The report evaluates the efficacy of $17 billion in World Bank health, nutrition and population projects and offers lessons to help improve effectiveness. Researchers said the projects were typically too complex for the weak or inexperienced bureaucracies carrying them out.

Also of interest, please see a recent blog by our colleague Mead Over, as he responds to recent Washington Post editorial on the success of PEPFAR in placing people on treatment and reducing mortality.

NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DONORS

• The Global Fund plans to release a code of conduct and sanctions policy for suppliers
• The World Bank releases a new tool for HIV prevention in Africa's transport sector

OTHER NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Obama Seeks a Global Health Plan Broader Than Bush’s AIDS Effort (NY Times)
• Uganda: HIV Patients Face Transport Hurdle to Access Drugs (Guardian)
• Uganda: More Global Fund Money Missing (Daily Monitor)
• Obama Choice of PEPFAR HIV/AIDS Coordinator Draws Praise from Advocacy Groups (Voice of America)
• In Treating HIV Infection, Sooner Is Better, Study Finds (NY Times)
• Economic Downturn Puts Treatment of Millions at Risk (PlusNews)