Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 19, 2004
Australia commits 25 million dollars to global AIDS fund
Australia Wednesday committed 25 million dollars (19.7 million US dollars) over three years to the Swiss-based group The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Australia Wednesday committed 25 million dollars (19.7 million US dollars) over three years to the Swiss-based group The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced the funding was on top of Australia's six-year 200 million-dollar global HIV/AIDS initiative, which he launched in 2000.
Downer said Australia delayed joining the fund. "We wanted to wait and see how the global fund would work out," he added.
"In those two years, we have been pretty impressed with the global fund. I think it's done an excellent job," he said.
The fund was set up two years ago to attract and distribute money to fight the three diseases.
It supports 225 programs in 121 countries and regions and helpsprovide drugs, mosquito nets and other medical supplies, as well as training health professionals and improving treatment and diagnosis facilities.