Meeting in Thailand, the board of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria approved $623-million in new two-year grants to programmes fighting the three diseases.

This brings the total amount approved by the board after three proposal rounds to $2,1-billion to 125 countries.

“In less than two years the Global Fund has become a leading force in the fight against these three deadly diseases,” said Tommy G Thompson, US Secretary of health and human services of the Global Fund.

To cover the amount recommended for the third round of proposals, the board committed to fully funding the round by deferring until January 2004 formal confirmation of a portion of proposals totaling $138-million out of the $623-million.

In addition, the board agreed to consider a fourth round of proposals for approval at its meeting in June 2004, with guidelines and proposal forms to be issued in January.

At the board meeting, people living with HIV and international partners, including the World Health Organization and Unaids, affirmed the health emergency arising from inadequate treatment of HIV.

“At this meeting, members of the board worked together towards a common vision of the Global Fund as a major instrument in the world’s fight against these diseases,” said Richard Feachem, the Global Fund’s executive director.

“About 60% of the funds approved are targeted at HIV/Aids, and about the same are destined for Africa.

In total, 57% will be awarded to non-governmental partners, who work with governments as part of public-private partnerships called Country Coordinating Mechanisms that develop and submit proposals to the Global Fund.

Over the lifetime of the programmes (two years with the possibility of renewals for another three years based on performance), they will increase the number of people living with HIV on antiretrovirals by nearly 200 000 and allow for nearly 7-million people to access HIV voluntary counseling and testing services.

Around 18-million insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria transmission will be purchased with the latest approved funds, and 760 000 treatments will be provided for tuberculosis.