Chile, Global Fund Sign $13.6 Million Grant for AIDS Treatment, Prevention Programs
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos at the Presidential Palace in Santiago on Monday signed a $13.6 million grant agreement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to accelerate the country's HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs, according to a Global Fund release. The grant, which will be disbursed over the next two years, will be used to increase the provision of antiretroviral therapy, "ensuring 100% access" to medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, the grant will be used to improve integrated health care for HIV-positive people; prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission; increase prevention activities; and "support alliance building between HIV-positive people and the public, private and nongovernmental sectors in order to reduce stigma and discrimination," according to the release. The signing marks the conclusion of the Global Fund's $71.35 million first round of grant agreements for five countries in the Caribbean and Central and South American region. A second round of grants is being negotiated and is expected to bring $95 million to seven additional countries in Latin America (Global Fund release, 6/2).
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