There’s nothing worse than losing a loved one. It is perhaps even more devastating when that loved one died from a preventable disease.
Joseph’s wife passed away in 2004 from AIDS. Two years later, Australian Aid began funding a program in Joseph’s community that aims to educate people, reduce stigma and, diagnose and treat people with HIV. Joseph and his youngest son tested positive and began treatment.
Without the Australian Aid funded program, they would have met the same fate at Joseph’s wife. With the new program a positive HIV result is no longer a death sentence and people like Joseph and his son are supported to lead healthy lives.
On September 16, Canada will host the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The conference will bring global health leaders together to build support to end the epidemics of three of the world’s most devastating diseases — AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The Pacific Friends of the Global Fund is asking the Australian government to pledge AU300 million to the Global Fund for the next three years. This investment will make a significant contribution to saving millions of lives.
Just last year, Elton John raised the importance of Australian Aid and the specific role of the Global Fund in the fight to end AIDS with then Minister for International Development, Steven Ciobo.
Great to discuss #AustralianAid with @eltonofficial and the work he does through @ejaf#auspolpic.twitter.com/WiR7cmyGHg
— Steven Ciobo (@StevenCiobo) December 17, 2015
Let’s hope he was listening, because we know that Australian funded projects make a real and significant difference in the lives of those affected by AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Just look at the difference it made for Joseph and his son.