OF NOTE THIS WEEK
A BBC feature published Sunday critiques foreign aid for health programs in Uganda. AIDS support organizations like Taso and Joint Clinical Research Centre, both funded by PEPFAR, have new buildings and apparatus worth millions of dollars, while small local hospitals often lack essential equipment. But even these well-funded organizations experience unreliable delivery of medicine and lack transport facilities.
A vast majority of the support Uganda receives, particularly from the U.S., is given specifically to the war on AIDS. In 2008 alone, funding from PEPFAR to Uganda reached $283.6 million - an amount which easily exceeds the entire annual budget for the country's ministry of health. PEPFAR's supporters contend that unlike many other international organizations which have "lofty goals" to get people on treatment, PEPFAR has actually committed resources to the disease and in doing so has made things happen.
NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DONORS
- The Global Fund, UNAIDS and the Coalition of Asia Pacific Regional Networks on HIV/AIDS host a global expert consultation in Bangkok
- The World Bank kicks off a project to strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Botswana
- Carla Bruni-Sarkozy launches a Web site promoting her work as the Global Fund’s ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS
OTHER NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
- Courts Test Zambia's AIDS Policy (BBC)
- Global Fund Suspends Grants to the Philippines and Mauritania (Global Fund Observer)
- Uganda Gets $285M in ARV Funds (Daily Monitor)
- Goosby Takes On Hot Topics at State Dept. Session (Science Speaks)
- Obama's New $5B Investment Is a Welcome Boost for HIV/AIDS Research (Huffington Post)
- World Bank Chief Warns of Funding Constraints (AP)
- A Model for Extending ARV Care beyond the Rural Health Center (Journal of the Intl. AIDS Society)