Canada Pledges $785 Million to Fight AIDs, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

Whatever your feelings about the incumbent government of Canada, most of us would probably agree that investing in cures for deadly diseases is money very well spent.

So it’s great to hear that Canada will be donating $785 million to the fight against AIDs, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that it will donate the money over the 2017-19 period to Global Fund, an international organization that is dedicated to accelerating an end to the epidemics.

This will be pledged over three years and represents a 20 per cent increase from Canada’s last contribution, back in 2015-16

The fund, which every year raises an estimated $4 billion, was established in 2002 and acts as a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases.

Trudeau also announced that Canada will host the Fifth Replenishment Conference on September 16 in Montreal. The fourth conference was held in Washington by Barack Obama in 2013.

“We are honoured to continue that important work,” Trudeau said at the town hall event in Ottawa.

“This is an historic opportunity for Canada and the world” added the Prime Minister.

“By fast-tracking investments and building global solidarity, we can bring an end to three devastating epidemics – AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – that have tragic and far-reaching impacts on the world’s most vulnerable people.”

The Prime Minister tweeted that they were boosting their pledge in an attempt to save an additional eight million lives. The investment will also contribute to averting 300 million new infection by 2019.

He also promoted the social media campaign, #EndItForGood, speaking of how he hoped to fast-track their way to ending the three epidemics permanently.

“The commitments we’ve announced today will help vulnerable citizens’ live better lives,” he said. “Lives that are longer, healthier, and free from the burden of disease” continued Trudeau.

At the same event, Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, addressed the inequality and discrimination that young women face when it comes to HIV and infectious diseases.

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