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New UN report maps out coordinated strategy to cope with AIDS, TB and malaria

New UN report maps out coordinated strategy to cope with AIDS, TB and malaria

With the right intervention at the right time AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria can be prevented and treated, according to a report released today by three United Nations agencies.

With the right intervention at the right time AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria can be prevented and treated, according to a report released today by three United Nations agencies.

Coordinates 2002, prepared by the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), is the first consolidated view of the extent of the three diseases, their interaction, and the effectiveness of current responses. A majority of the countries highly affected by AIDS, TB and malaria are ready with plans and programmes that need immediate funding, according to the report. Many treatments are not expensive, while the cost of others is falling, the agencies say, stressing that the main challenge ahead is to make these interventions available globally.

WHO Director-General Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland said that any effective effort to reduce the burden of disease faced by the world's poorest people must concentrate on AIDS, TB and malaria. "We know this will not only save millions of lives - it will contribute to economic development and poverty reduction," she pointed out.

UNAIDS chief Dr. Peter Piot voiced optimism that the widespread devastation caused by the disease could be addressed through global cooperation. "I believe even the world's poorest countries are on the brink of making substantial progress with quality treatment and effective prevention programmes - and it is up to the international community to redouble our support for their efforts."

For her part, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy emphasized the importance of political will in combating the three diseases, which she said, hit children the hardest. "We know what to do to overcome them; what we need now is the leadership and resources to reach out to all children."

The report was released as the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria began its second meeting today in New York. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who first championed the concept of the Fund, will address the Board on Tuesday.

An independent, public-private partnership, the Global Fund aims to save more lives by reducing infections, illness and death due to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, or malaria, which together are responsible for nearly 6 million deaths a year as well as tremendous social and economic hardship. To date, industrialized and developing countries, corporations, foundations and individuals have pledged some $1.9 billion to the Fund.