US AIDS fund flat-lining, groups complain

The debate between those who favor investment in AIDS treatment and those who favor investment in its prevention came to the forefront Thursday at a U.S House of Representatives hearing on U.S. investments in HIV/AIDS in Africa. International health organizations working to help check the spread of AIDS in Africa said meager increases in funds from the U.S. government this year would be a step backwards. Some experts also emphasized that prevention must get appropriate attention in any fight against the disease. New patients will be turned away if AIDS treatment stagnates at this year's level since demand for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs is continuing to grow in Africa, said experts from the health groups. The concern stems from U.S. President Barack Obama's 2011 budget request, which includes a 180-million-dollar increase in bilateral AIDS funding, up 2.2 percent from the previous year. "Under-funding these initiatives will prohibit us from seizing major opportunities in our global AIDS response," said Joanne Carter, executive director of the Educational Fund RESULTS and a board member of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Representatives from the organizations spoke at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.