Keir Starmer is urging the UK Prime Minister to protect the nation's remaining funding for the global HIV response, emphasizing the critical opportunity to end the AIDS pandemic within the next few years. The article highlights that while the world was on track to meet the goal of ending AIDS by 2030 in 2024, unprecedented international aid cuts from multiple countries have jeopardized this progress. Failure to maintain global HIV funding could result in over four million additional deaths and infections by 2030, along with a doubling of medication-resistant strains, posing new dangers globally.
The UK's recent pledge of £850 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, while significant, represents a £150 million reduction from its previous commitment, potentially costing an additional 255,000 lives over the next three years. The government's upcoming funding decisions for UNAids, Unitaid, and the Robert Carr Fund are crucial. A combined UK contribution to these institutions over the next three years would cost less than £1.30 per adult annually.
Key recommendations include championing the goal of ending AIDS globally by 2030 and supporting new HIV innovations like lenacapavir, providing sufficient funding for UNAids, Unitaid, and the Robert Carr Fund, and ensuring British funding is directed to the communities most impacted by HIV. The article includes endorsements from numerous organizations and individuals, underscoring the urgency and broad support for these measures.