Letters from our readers
Contra Costa Times
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria has been very effective in saving 5.3 million lives in Africa since 2003. The devastation that these three diseases have caused is immeasurable in lives and economic costs.
AIDS weakens the body -- TB and Malaria kill the patient.
Before the existence of the Global Fund, the GDP of many African nations was steadily dropping due to the death rate from these diseases in the working population, and the growing numbers of orphans.
The Global Fund has helped stabilize these countries and their GDPs have begun to recover. The U.S. government should commit to $6 billion over three years to help the Global Fund meet the needs in Africa.
If the United States and Europe are to pull ourselves out of our current economic mess, we must also help the underdeveloped countries. A rising tide lifts all ships.
Bill Nicholson
Martinez
© Bay Area News Group