OF NOTE THIS WEEK

A new study by the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, a global advocacy group, finds that patients are being turned away from treatment programs and AIDS drug stocks are running out because of government budget cuts and flatlined funding from major donors like PEPFAR and the Global Fund, Reuters reports. The report, which examined access to HIV treatment in six countries, concludes that it will not be possible to build sustainable, credible health systems in this funding climate. ITPC notes that the effects of PEPFAR's flatlined funding are already being seen and says the Global Fund will need $20 billion over the next three years to help meet health-related Millennium Development Goals.

NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DONORS

• The Global Fund holds its 21st Board Meeting this week
• PEPFAR supports Girl Guides, a program that develops the leadership skills of young women in the Eastern Caribbean to reduce their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS
• PEPFAR releases its April newsletter
• The Global Fund, PEPFAR and World Bank release comments on World Malaria Day

OTHER NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Global Fund Faces 'Challenge' to Find Cash (AFP)
• AIDS Programs Hit Setbacks in Africa (Newsweek)
• GHI May Unravel PEPFAR’s Success (Science Speaks)
• HIV Prevention Studies for Young People in Africa Often of Poor Quality and Show Limited Effect (Aidsmap)
• Drug Users Must Be Helped to Halt AIDS Spread, U.N. Says (Reuters)
• Treatment Rationing in Low-Income Countries on the Rise, Will Worsen, Warn Advocates (Aidsmap)
• The State of HIV Prevention Vaccines (IPS)

HIV/AIDS MONITOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPACT

• The HIV/AIDS Monitor has been tracking the policy changes among PEPFAR, the Global Fund and the World Bank MAP related to the recommendations that have come out of our research. Explore these changes using our interactive flash tool.