HIV :: Global Fund’s Michel to fight HIV, TB, Malaria

Michel Kazatchkine, France’s ambassador for HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases, was selected to lead a multi-billion-dollar fund the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Kazatchkine, 60, will succeed Briton Richard Feachem, its first executive director, who steps down at the end of his five-year term on March 31.

Michel Kazatchkine has announced that he will aim to improve the organization’s partnerships with United Nations organizations and donors. He immediately called for greater resources for the Global Fund, which has committed $7 billion in grants to 136 countries since its launch five years ago.

Michel Kazatchkine said that he wants funding to “have a positive spillover effect in helping fight other diseases. That strengthening can only happen through partnerships.” In addition, Kazatchkine said that he hopes Global Fund grants will help to fight not only HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria but also to improve health care infrastructures in developing countries.

Funding for the 2008-2010 period will be decided later this year.


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