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Human right health
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Controlling infectious diseases
Every year millions of people in the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) die of epidemic diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, sleeping sickness and other tropical diseases.
MDG 6 sets out the goal of limiting the expansion of widespread infectious diseases. Nevertheless, despite the huge efforts undertaken by the international community, these illnesses are continuing to spread. If we are to achieve MDG 6, efforts to fight them must be stepped up dramatically. The lives of millions of people are at risk.
German support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) was launched in 2002 to improve cooperation between the various countries involved in the field of infectious disease control. These three diseases are avoidable and treatable – and are responsible for several million deaths annually.
The GFATM is an additional financial mechanism within international cooperation by governments, civil society and the private sector. Today it is the financially strongest organisation in the international effort to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
In 2011 Germany contributed a total of 200 million euros to the GFATM, making it the Fund’s biggest donor.
German BACKUP Initiative
Germany also supports the work of the GFATM through the German BACKUP Initiative, an innovative model encompassing multilateral and bilateral Technical Cooperation: Close cooperation with international organisations on the one hand and providing advisory services to state and civil society organisations in partner countries on the other facilitates the sharing of information and experience. Financial resources made available to the GFATM can thus be used more effectively.
The BACKUP Initiative has supported more than 400 measures by partner organisations in some 70 countries in the period since 2002, focusing on three cross-cutting issues: strengthening civil society, gender equality and strengthening health systems.
Social marketing, prevention, generic drugs
Germany supports programmes in the field of social marketing in some 30 countries. Wide-ranging information and awareness-raising campaigns and the provision of condoms and other contraceptives mean the German project benefits many millions of people. Experience in some of the countries most severely affected by AIDS in Africa and on other continents has shown that this is a promising approach.
Obstacles
A number of problems arise during implementation of programmes and projects to control infectious diseases. Typical obstacles include poorly developed health care systems, poor access to health services and a lack of both personnel and financial resources. In many countries the political will to invest more in the health sector is also still lacking. The all-important participation of civil society in the fight against infectious disease founders in many countries on the lack of political will. Another obstacle is the imbalance in social power structures. Owing to their weaker social and economic status, for example, women are now increasingly affected by AIDS. Moreover, war, civil war, influx of refugees and corruption all make development cooperation in the health sector more difficult.
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