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Japanese govt contributes USD184m to fight diseases under the Global Fund
2008-03-01 09:20:20
By Guardian Reporter
The Government of Japan yesterday released USD184m to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria in Tanzania.
``The contribution to the fund, announced today, represents Japan`s firm commitment to the fight against the killer diseases. It also reflects the importance attached by Japan to the fund which plays a pivotal role in the fight against infectious diseases,`` an official statement issued by the Embassy of Japan in Dar es Salaam said.
Following the donation, Japan has accomplished its disbursement of USD500m to the Global Fund, pledged by the then Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi in June 2005, it said.
According to the statement, Japan's contribution to the fund has reached around USD850m, as its government pledged continued support to the fund.
Global figures indicate that HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria-three major diseases-kill five million people all over the world annually.
The prevalence of HIV is reportedly steadily increasing every year in all regions including Asia, it further said.
It is estimated that 33.2 million people in the world are now living with HIV/Aids.
With regard to tuberculosis, the rapid increase of drug-resistant TB and co-infection of HIV and TB spreading, particularly in Africa have emerged as new major challenges to be addressed, the statement said.
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