Pledge to Stop 'Mum-to-Baby' HIV

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria is launching the "Born HIV Free" campaign to prevent the estimated 430,000 mother-to-baby HIV infections that occur annually in the developing world. The goal is to do this by 2015.

"This campaign is intended to encourage people to sign up in support of the Global Fund, and to show their leaders that there is strong public support to continue and increase funding for its mission," said fund Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine.

French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, an ambassador for the Global Fund, is overseeing the campaign. She presses the case for supporting the campaign in a series of films, featuring music by U2 and Amy Winehouse, being promoted on the Internet.

Born HIV Free comes at a critical time for the fund, which is seeking $20 billion over the next three years. Fund leaders believe mother-to-child HIV transmission can be halted if governments fully honor their pledges. "We can win this battle against AIDS if we get the funding we require," Kazatchkine said.

France is Europe's largest contributor to the fund. The United Kingdom has pledged or contributed $1.1 billion since the fund's beginnings in 2002.

Global Fund insiders report hearing "promising noises" from Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on prioritizing global health. "An early indication that our government will support the Global Fund is really important," said Dr. Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet.

"Another pressing issue is taking a serious look at the Department of International Development," said Horton. "There is genuine concern that a lot of money has been spent on development aid without always getting a clear return."

"There needs to be accountability at this time of financial stringency," Horton said.


The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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