By: Ghofran Benabdallah (Results Volunteer)
UNAIDS recently warned that sudden budget cuts by the United States and other countries threaten to wipe out years of progress in the fight against HIV. What can be done to avoid such a catastrophe? Maintain Canada's position among the Fund's top global donors. Indeed, Canada ranks seventh among the world's largest public donors, thanks to its historic investment of $1.21 billion over three years, which has saved 65 million lives, reduced AIDS-related deaths by 73% and new infections by 61% since 2022.
What would happen if Canada changed course, following the United States' example? 6.6 million new HIV infections, 4.2 million AIDS-related deaths, and 3 million additional children orphaned over four years! These figures demonstrate the extent of Canada's commitment to preventing such setbacks in the fight against infectious diseases.
We can avoid this kind of news if the federal government maintains its budgetary contribution or increases it to $18 billion to save 23 million lives and prevent an additional 400 million infections (HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria).
18 billion stones to complete this bridge…
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