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Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to disburse $900 million for tuberculosis effort
DAVOS, Switzerland - Microsoft boss Bill Gates pledged on Friday to increase his foundation's contribution to $900 million by 2015 in the fight against the scrounge of tuberculosis. The disease has acquired epidemic proportions in some African countries where the occurrence along with HIV/AIDS is making for a deadly combination.
"This is a very tough disease. It is going to take all of us — private sector, the pharmaceutical companies, philanthropy and Governments in countries that have the disease — to participate as well," Gates said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has already contributed $300 million for efforts to combat the disease. Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and British Chancellor Gordon Brown called for help in treating almost 50 million cases of the disease and stopping 14 million deaths from the same.
The Global Plan to Stop Tuberculosis is an organization with 400 members and Gates has vowed to step up funding for the effort. "We're willing to triple our funding for tuberculosis, and we urge others to do the same. If we have the chance to save 14 million lives, and a clear plan to make it happen, we have an obligation to act," he said.
Mr Brown said that last year many commitments were made, but it was time to deliver on those promises this year, "That's why, when the G8 finance ministers meet in Moscow in only a few days time, I will put on the agenda how we can meet the commitments to fund this specific plan," he said.
Meanwhile, health experts at the forum have cautioned that the world must continue to be vigilant against bird flu and not relax thinking that the disease was under control, "We must still maintain utmost vigilance for and preparations for the next human influenza pandemic," David Nabarro the U.N. bird flu chief said.
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Written
by :
Paco Tyee | Published on :
09:24:00
EST
Sun, 29 Jan 2006 |
Something
to say »
» My Magnificent Book Project asking a Humble Support
This article tells us about the Grand Charity the Bill and MelindaGates Foundation has done. We salute its Big Help of millions $ towards this terrible disease. When I was in China,it is not too bad in the big city but say fifteen minutes drive away, I noticed same as in India, more than half of the people look sick and not health. The unhealthy and uhappy look is written in their faces. The Government implement the Toughest and the Greatest Measure- one child family to save the country from to become another Africa. I personally think Mr. Gates should also start using some of his millions and millions of his money to tactle on this Birth _control on Africa. To me I think this is the root of the African Problem. Treating Tb, HIV/AIDS is important but one child family is even better. If thr Greatest Politian in China Tang Sui Pin could do it, I am sure Mr. Gates+ his influential friends can think of same way to do it too. My application for support from Mr. Gate is far to small to mention here . But for a humble and simple pensioner,me, this is my big and very big problem to seek help from the Rich and Famous. I am trying everyday and everywhere. No rush and no hurry. I will keep on trying!
29-01-2006 Liverpool U.K.
Commented by ( Joan Chan ) on 18:57:48 EST Sun, 29 Jan 2006
» importance of proper diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Bill and Melinda gates contribution and awareness on Tuberculosis will have long term implications on the awareness about the disease of greatest importance,The news on this event will create importance of tackling the problem in more scientific way. In this brief place I can only say there should be greater contribution from Microbiologists on proper diagnosis of the disease.
Commented by ( Dr.T.V.Rao MD ) on 09:52:06 EST Sun, 29 Jan 2006
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