Britain is undermining its legacy in the fight against infectious diseases including AIDS and malaria by cutting funds pledged to a leading global health fund, campaigners say.
Reduced contribution by 15% Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria The announcement this week – in a year in which Britain, along with South Africa, is co-hosting a campaign to replenish the fund – risks prompting other countries to cut their commitments as well, advocates fear.
Government announced an £850 million commitment into the fund on Tuesday, up from £1bn in the last round.
Campaigners called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to show leadership and attend the event. Johannesburg resupply summit later in November – and find additional money.
The smaller commitment is part of a cut in UK government aid spending from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3% to boost defense funding.
This was stated by British Development Minister Jenny Chapman. funding this year was “in dollar terms” […] “just 5% less than the amount” pledged for 2023–25 and “will save up to 1.3 million lives, prevent up to 22 million new cases or infections of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, and deliver up to £13 billion in health improvements and economic benefits in countries where the Global Fund works.”
But campaigners said the cuts would hit hard. Professor Kenneth Ngure, President-Elect of the International AIDS Society, said: “The Global Fund is saving lives every day through its work against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and is estimated to have halved the number of deaths from these three diseases since 2002.
“While the final outcome of the replenishment has not yet been determined, any reduction in support will have consequences, forcing African countries to make impossible choices as they seek to protect the most vulnerable.”
Ngure, who lives in Kenya, said he was also concerned that funding cuts could jeopardize the introduction of new drugs that are widely believed to be potential changes to the rules of the game in HIV prevention.
Joy Pumafi, Executive Secretary of the Organization of African Leaders Malaria The alliance said the UK's continued commitment was welcome, but the cuts “will have real consequences across Africa, with fewer bednets, medicines and diagnostics reaching those who need them most.”
A study published in October found that a 20% cut in Global Fund funds would result in 330,000 additional deaths by 2040 from malaria alone. The fund provides 59% of international funding for the fight against malaria.
Phumaphi added: “By co-hosting this replenishment, the UK has the chance to reaffirm its global leadership by investing in stronger, more resilient health systems that benefit millions.”
John Plastow, chief executive of Frontline Aids Global Partnerships, said: “We were expecting a stronger display of leadership reflecting Britain's proud heritage of supporting the global goal of ending AIDS.
“There is a danger that this reduction in commitments will lead to reductions in the commitments of other donors, with real risks to lives and the global response to HIV.”
He added: “We call on the UK to make a clear commitment to increase its contributions to the Global Fund later in this three-year replenishment when it can secure additional funding.”
Adrian Lovett, chief executive of UK Campaign One, suggested the money could come from the £74m saved reduction in hotel costs for asylum seekers in the UK. He said: “Ministers must use these funds to replenish the Global Fund's commitment, helping to save more lives and increasing the chances of a successful replenishment in Johannesburg.”
Dr. Andrey Klepikov, Director of the Ukrainian Public Alliance Healthstated that the Global Fund enabled more than half a million Ukrainians to access HIV and tuberculosis services during the war. He said: “Every one of these people is counting on the results of the eighth replenishment, their lives depend on the promises of Britain and other countries.”
However, Klepikov said he was “grateful for the UK's generous contribution to the current challenging situation”, adding: “With this contribution, the UK confirms its leadership in global health.”
