The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has released its annual Results Report, highlighting that 70 million lives have been saved since the organization’s inception in 2002. The report emphasizes that the combined death rate from AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria has fallen by 63%, while the incidence of these diseases has dropped by 42%. This progress, achieved through partnerships with countries, affected communities, and front-line health workers, demonstrates the transformative impact of sustained investment and coordinated global action.
Despite these gains, the Global Fund warns that progress remains fragile. Peter Sands, the organization’s Executive Director, noted that geopolitical shifts, fragmentation, and funding challenges could undermine decades of hard-won improvements. The report underscores the need for countries to accelerate efforts to build nationally led and financed health systems capable of responding effectively to evolving health threats.
In HIV and AIDS, 2024 marked record levels of awareness and treatment: 88% of people living with HIV in Global Fund-supported countries knew their status, 79% were on antiretroviral therapy, and 74% had suppressed viral loads. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage surged by 325% from the previous year, reaching 1.4 million people. Since 2002, AIDS-related mortality has fallen by 82% and HIV incidence by 73%. However, HIV remains a global health threat, with 630,000 deaths and 1.3 million new infections in 2024—far above the 2025 target.
TB treatment coverage reached a record 75% in 2023 in Global Fund-supported countries, with 44% of drug-resistant TB patients starting treatment. Innovative tools such as AI-powered detection and portable digital X-rays have improved diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Since 2002, TB mortality has dropped by 57% and incidence by 28%, yet TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, with 1.3 million deaths in 2023.
Malaria prevention has also advanced, with 61% of people in at-risk areas having access to insecticide-treated nets and 53% actually using them—the highest levels to date. Testing coverage exceeded 95%, while dual active ingredient nets and other innovations have helped cut malaria mortality by 51% and incidence by 26% since 2002. Suriname and Timor-Leste were certified malaria-free in 2025, though rising drug resistance, conflict, and extreme weather continue to threaten progress.
Beyond disease-specific achievements, the Global Fund has invested US$2.7 billion in 2024 to strengthen health systems, enhance surveillance, and reinforce pandemic preparedness across more than 100 countries. These investments have improved detection of coinfections and high-risk diseases, supported laboratory networks, and bolstered national capacities to respond to outbreaks. The organization also prioritizes long-term sustainability, helping countries transition from Global Fund support toward self-reliance.
Conflict and insecurity remain major obstacles. Fragile regions, home to 16% of the global population, bear disproportionate disease burdens. The Global Fund’s Emergency Fund supported rapid responses in countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Mozambique to ensure the continuity of HIV, TB, and malaria programmes.
The report underscores the importance of the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment, launched in February 2025 and co-hosted by South Africa and the United Kingdom. Early pledges from Australia, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, and private partners signal growing momentum. A successful replenishment could save up to 23 million lives between 2027 and 2029 and reduce AIDS, TB, and malaria mortality by 64% compared to 2023 levels, while strengthening health systems and accelerating countries’ paths toward self-reliance.
Related Posts
