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Remarks of Health and Human Services
Secretary
My friends - fellow members of the global fund - it is truly outstanding to see so many fine individuals come together for a common cause. Thank you for your passion and compassion for the citizens of the world to whom you bring hope. All of you represent the very best of what public service - and the public spirit - can mean and do. I am honored to be in your presence as your friend and partner. I especially want to note the presence of the vice chair of the global fund board, Dr. Suwit. Your dedication and compassion is an inspiration to us all, and I thank you so very much for coming. Earlier this year, President Bush announced a $15 billion--five year plan to provide relief to the majority of those suffering from AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean. I am pleased to report that the US Congress has passed the plan, which includes an additional billion dollars for the global fund, bringing the U.S. pledge up to $1.65 billion. The plan also calls for $2 billion next year to create comprehensive systems that diagnose, treat and prevent AIDS in 14 nations in Africa and two in the Caribbean. I’ve been to Africa -- and plan to return later this year hopefully with Kofi Annan -- and I have traveled to the Caribbean and seen the damage wrought with my own eyes. The sorrow and the horror defy description - and, it sometimes seems, the powers of science. Where other illnesses fall to the efforts of modern medicine, AIDS marches on. But we will continue to do everything we can to stop the further spread of this insidious disease. Confronting this tragedy is the responsibility of every nation. As President Bush said just a few days ago - “There are only two possible responses to suffering on this scale. We can turn our eyes away in resignation and despair, or we can take decisive, historic action to turn the tide against this disease and give the hope of life to millions who need our help now. The United States of America chooses the path of action and the path of hope.” And so does the global fund. I’m here to tell you that the global fund has already accomplished a great deal in our fight against AIDS. We have approved 156 applications covering 98 countries. As of may 9th, the fund has signed grant agreements with 29 of these countries - 80 percent of those approved in round 1 - and requested disbursements totaling $22 million to 25 countries. Last night I witnessed the signing of 2 grants for Thailand, bringing the total to 30 countries. Based on the agreements signed, the sum of formally committed funds is $370 million. In my term as chairman, I am making the acceleration of disbursements-and the building of our systems of accountability- major priorities. It is worthwhile to recall the nature of some of the proposals that we are funding. One example, our grant to Zambia, enables a comprehensive response by government and civil society, structured according to the request of the country coordinating mechanism, and consistent with other donor practices. It is a grant of more than $70 million for two years to fight AIDS, TB and malaria. Four principal recipients will channel the funds, with 71 percent of the money flowing through a basket used by other donors at the central board of health. The rest flows through the churches health association, the Zambia national AIDS network, and the ministry of finance. Also, it is heartening to know that these dollars are beginning to save lives. In Haiti, 600 people have started anti-retrovirals; 300 people have begun treatment for tuberculosis; a health clinic has reopened; and five more have better labs and drugs on their shelves; one NGO has increased access to mother-to-child prevention of HIV five-fold. Global fund dollars are being spent to increase bednet distribution in Tanzania and to expand directly observed short course therapy for tuberculosis in china. In china, where the global find program will build on the world bank/ British government’s tuberculosis program, training has already commenced at the national and provincial level. And the United States is starting its own AIDS programs in china as well. These are small steps toward ambitious goals, but they are signs of hope, and they are the first results of more to come. Our work on the global fund has only begun. Its promise is great - but it is a promise that will not be realized without sufficient resources to execute its mission. I’m sorry to report that the fund faces a shortage of over a billion dollars for this round of proposals. That’s something we cannot allow to happen again. The utility and credibility of the fund depend upon it. This is the responsibility of every person in this room, so I call upon each and every one of you to redouble your efforts - and rest assured that I, as your chair, will not falter in my own efforts. Tomorrow I am carrying this same message to Brussels where I will speak before the European parliament’s committee on development and cooperation. I welcome your suggestions and insights on how we can address this shortfall, and make the fund a catalyst for a better tomorrow. With your help, we will. Thank you so very much. |