Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and Malaria | 04 Sep 2019

India has recently announced a contribution of $22 million to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and Malaria (GFTAM).

  • India has stepped an inch closer by enhancing the Global Fund efforts to strengthen health systems and save 16 million more lives across the globe.
  • The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria was created to raise, manage and invest the world’s money in eliminating three of the deadliest infectious diseases the world has ever known.
  • India shares a sustained partnership with the Global Fund since its formation, both as a recipient and as a donor.

Global Funds

  • Global Fund (with a total investment of $2 billion) was created in 2002 to pool the world’s resources & invest them strategically in programs to end Tuberculosis (TB), Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and Malaria as epidemics.
  • It is a partnership of governments, civil society, technical agencies, the private sector and people affected by the diseases.
  • India has set a precedent for other donors to contribute generously to the cause.

Tuberculosis (TB)

  • Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable.
  • TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.
  • About one-third of the world's population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit the disease.
  • World TB Day is observed on 24 March to earmark the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium due to which TB is caused, by German microbiologist Dr. Robert Koch in 1882.
  • The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) launched by the Government of India in 1985 includes vaccination for 12 diseases including TB.

Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS)

  • HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, and the combination of drugs used to treat it is called Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
  • HIV attacks CD4, a type of White Blood Cell (T cells) in the body’s immune system. T cells are those cells that move around the body detecting anomalies and infections in cells.
  • With neither a vaccine nor a cure in sight, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is the only option available for people living with HIV-AIDS.
  • World AIDS Day is observed on 1st December.
  • “Mission Sampark” was launched in 2017 to bring back People Living with HIV who have left treatment after starting Anti Retro Viral Treatment (ART).
  • 'Project Sunrise' was launched in 2016 to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in north-eastern states, especially among people injecting drugs.

Malaria

  • Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites.
  • The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called "malaria vectors",
  • World Malaria Day is observed on 25th April.
  • It can be noted that only for four diseases viz. HIV-AIDS, TB, Malaria, and Hepatitis (28 July), the World Health Organization (WHO) officially endorses disease-specific global awareness days.

Source: PIB