Global Efforts to Control HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria Threatened by Major Funding Shortfall

Global Efforts to Control HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria Threatened by Major Funding Shortfall
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Efforts to control HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria face significant setbacks after global leaders pledged only $11.3 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria—far short of the $18 billion required to maintain progress against the three diseases between 2026 and 2028.

According to The Guardian, the pledging summit, held on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in South Africa, saw several major past donors—including France, Japan and the European Commission—decline to specify their contributions. The United States promised up to $4.6 billion, remaining the Fund’s largest donor, though the amount reflects a steep drop from its previous $6 billion pledge.

Researchers warn that recent scientific advances—such as new HIV prevention drugs, improved malaria control tools, and innovations in TB treatment and vaccination—could enable the world to bring these diseases under control, but only if sufficient financing is secured.

Advocacy groups expressed deep concern over the funding gap. Adrian Lovett of the One Campaign noted that almost 90% of the previous replenishment came from seven leading donors, four of whom have now reduced contributions while three have not pledged at all. Mike Podmore, head of StopAIDS, said that even matching previous pledges would leave the Fund well below the $18 billion threshold needed to stay on track with global targets.

Global health leaders emphasized the human toll of the shortfall. Beatriz Grinsztejn, president of the International AIDS Society, said each missing dollar equates to lives that may not be saved, adding that countries with the highest HIV burdens are now forced into “impossible choices.” Gareth Jenkins of Malaria No More UK warned that insufficient funding risks a resurgence of malaria that could endanger millions of children.

The UK, co-host of the summit, confirmed an £850 million pledge—down from £1 billion previously—amid a reduced national aid budget. Some countries, including Ireland and India, increased their contributions, and private-sector funding also rose. However, experts caution that the Global Fund now faces an era of austerity and may need to overhaul its financing model to protect the most vulnerable nations.