World TB Day Response from PEPFAR
Thank you for your interest in the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
On July 30, 2008, H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 was signed into law. This legislation expands the U.S. Government commitment to this successful program for five additional years, from 2009 through 2013. This legislation will increase the U.S. financial commitment to the fight against global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, authorizing up to $48 billion to combat the three diseases, including $4 billion for TB prevention and treatment efforts.
Currently, the USG is the largest contributor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, providing approximately 27 percent of the Fund's resources. From FY2005 to FY2008, PEPFAR increased bilateral funding for HIV/TB from $26 million to $140 million, supporting TB treatment for over 395,400 HIV-infected patients through September 2008.
PEPFAR believes that the most important work in combating TB/HIV takes place through partnerships with in-country national health authorities, NGOs and community-and-faith based organizations that strengthen and implement effective TB/HIV programs. Currently, PEPFAR and country-level teams are working to scale-up HIV services for TB patients as well as TB screening, diagnosis and treatment for PLWHA. Screening for TB in services providing HIV care and treatment is a critical intervention as is TB infection control as we expand access to comprehensive HIV care.
PEPFAR has and will continue to work within national strategies and in partnership with host nations to support comprehensive TB services for PLWHA. For more information about what PEPFAR is doing to address access to TB/HIV services, please visit: http://www.pepfar.gov/pepfar/press/81964.htm
Best,
Erica Ballard
Public Affairs Coordinator
