In an effort to strengthen the fight against Aids, the European Union (EU) has announced a 10% increase in contributions to the Global Fund set for the disease.

EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs said the increase would allow the Commission to contribute around R12,35-billion over the 2002 to 2013 period.

"Without a healthy population it is impossible to create inclusive and
sustainable growth in developing countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals," Piebalgs said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Aids remains one of the most deadly diseases and we have to increase our efforts in preventing the spread of this virus."

Piebalgs said the increase also applied to tuberculosis and malaria (GFATM), to which the EU is already the largest donor; providing 52% of resources.

Nils Jansons, deputy head of the EU delegation to South Africa, said: "We are committed to the fight against HIV and Aids in South Africa.

"Currently we contribute through nationwide home-based care and student awareness initiatives. In 2011 we expect to announce further funding for primary health care, including HIV/Aids."