Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Wall Street Journal - May 16, 2005
Marilyn Chase, marilyn.chase@wsj.com
The cash infusion goes to Grand Challenges in Global Health, a program launched in 2003 by the Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The program expects to award its first round of grants this summer.
Mr. Gates announced the funding in a speech in Geneva before the opening day of the World Health Assembly, an annual gathering of the governing body of the World Health Organization.
The Grand Challenges initiative drew over 10,000 proposals from scientists in over 70 countries addressing a host of unmet health needs including: vaccines that are needle-free or don't need refrigeration, drugs that minimize resistance, and new technologies that enable health aides to make diagnoses in the resource-poor settings.
In his remarks in Geneva, Mr. Gates also issued a challenge to rich and poor countries to devote more resources to major health crises and to make market forces and delivery systems function better for the poor.
"The world is failing billions of people," Mr. Gates charged, because rich governments ignore and the private industry neglects developing world scourges like TB and malaria, long-eradicated from the industrialized world.
Outlining four priorities, he first urged wealthy governments to match their funding commitments to the scale of the crises abroad, and poor countries to boost the portion of their gross domestic product for health. Second, he said research funds should be redirected toward saving the greatest number of lives. (Currently 90% of R&D targets diseases affecting 10% of the world's population.)
Third, Mr. Gates proposed "more thinking and funding" focus on the delivery of health inventions -- like an AIDS vaccine -- once they are discovered. Fourth, he urged countries to adapt political systems and market forces so they better serve the poor in the developing world.
As an example, Mr. Gates cited the proposed International Finance Facility for Immunization, which he is championing with British finance minister Gordon Brown. As reported, the IFFIM would raise $4 billion in government bonds to fund vaccines for developing countries. The Group of Eight industrialized nations will weigh the proposal at its July summit.
050516
WJ050503
Copyright © 2005 - The Wall Street Journal. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the WSJ Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .