Hello from Friends! Here is a quick look at what's new in our work to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria in the age of COVID-19.
Thank You President Biden for Supporting a $2 Billion Yearly Investment in the Global Fund, for an Intended Pledge of $6 Billion for the 7th Replenishment
Friends of the Global Fight applauds President Biden for requesting $2 billion for the Global Fund in FY23 in line with an intended pledge of $6 billion over the next three years.

“This investment will save millions of lives, help get the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria back on track after major disruptions from COVID-19 and also strengthen global pandemic preparedness. We look forward to advancing this budget request in Congress."
Friends' President & CEO Chris Collins

Here is a breakdown of what a $2 billion yearly investment means for the Global Fund.

We look forward to working with champions in Congress to ensure that the U.S. bilateral global health programs are robustly funded for FY23 as well.

Rep. Barbara Lee also applauded President Biden's commitment to the Global Fund, "I am pleased to see the President’s FY23 [budget]... includes a request to build the capacity of health systems, including a two billion dollar request for the Global Fund which will help to set us on the path to achieving an AIDS free generation by 2030."
The Pandemic Preparedness We Need: A Q&A with Friends' President Chris Collins
"Health systems need to be able to invest in priorities that advance health today and prepare us for the future, including laboratory, surveillance, community health workers and community systems for health, health workforce training and antimicrobial resistance...we need an approach that includes communities in decision making and that monitors quality and equity in delivery."

Friends' President & CEO Chris Collins on the path forward in pandemic preparedness
20+ Companies Urge Congress to Support a $2 Billion Yearly Investment in the Global Find
More than 20 global companies including Aegon-Transamerica, Novartis and Johnson & Johnson sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and Subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations to urge them to support $2 billion for the Global Fund in FY23.

"In a year where the United States will host the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference, we ask you to provide this increased funding because of the Global Fund’s proven lifesaving results and the need to get back on track and accelerate progress against AIDS, TB and malaria programs.”
How the War in Ukraine is Impacting Health Systems, HIV and TB Programs
The war in Ukraine has the potential to disrupt the country’s hard won progress against HIV and TB. For more information, check out our infographic above.

The New York Times covered Ukraine's growing public health crisis, reporting: "health officials fear that delays in diagnosis and treatment interruptions during the war may allow these pathogens [HIV and TB] to flourish again, with consequences that ripple for years."
World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2022
On World TB Day, Friends developed several materials to highlight the world's second deadliest infectious disease.



Dr. John Nkengasong's Nomination
 Hearing to Head PEPFAR
On March 15th, the Senate held a nomination hearing for Dr. John Nkengasong, currently head of the African CDC. If confirmed, Dr. Nkengasong will be the first person of African origin to lead PEPFAR.

"We’ve seen how COVID-19 has impacted efforts to fight HIV, but we’ve also seen how HIV platforms scale up COVID-19 efforts. We know there will be future pandemics. If we use the PEPFAR platform efficiently, we can prepare effectively."
– Dr. John Nkengasong
How COVID-19 is Affecting AIDS, TB and Malaria
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a serious impact on the most vulnerable communities worldwide and threatens progress on HIV, TB, malaria, vaccination and other areas of health.
  • AIDS: Can COVID-19 Changes Reduce Stigma in African HIV Clinics? (The Lancet)

  • Tuberculosis: Asad’s Fight: Surviving TB under the Threat of COVID-19 (Global Fund)

  • Malaria: Squashing Malaria Could Save as Many Lives as COVID-19 Has Taken (The Economist)
We're tracking the intersection of COVID-19 and AIDS, TB and malaria. See regular updates on our website.
Global Health News
  • ‘Africa Must be Self-Sufficient’: John Nkengasong on Learning the Deadly Lessons of Pandemics (Guardian)


  • Tuberculosis, an Infectious Killer that Never Got its Due (Devex)
 
Be sure to check www.theglobalfight.org for the latest. Thanks for your support.
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