Australia faces a growing threat from deadly infectious diseases in the Indo-Pacific region, according to Lady Ros Morauta, chair of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. During her visit to Australia this week, she emphasized the critical need for increased support to combat these health crises, particularly as neighboring countries experience alarming rates of disease.
Urgent Health Challenges in the Region
In an interview with the Australian Associated Press, Lady Ros highlighted the rising incidence of HIV in Papua New Guinea and Fiji. She noted that there have been approximately 11,000 new HIV cases reported in PNG for 2024, leading the country to declare a national HIV crisis in June. Similarly, Fiji announced an HIV outbreak in January, following nearly 1,600 new infections in the previous year.
Moreover, tuberculosis remains a significant health challenge in PNG, where it has been identified as the leading cause of death. The country’s health minister declared a “war” on tuberculosis in June, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The Global Fund’s Impact and Australia’s Role
Lady Ros, who has lived in PNG for over four decades and served as the nation’s first lady from 1999 to 2002, spoke highly of the Global Fund’s achievements. She pointed out that over the last 20 years, the partnership has successfully saved 65 million lives and reduced the combined death rate from AIDS, TB, and malaria by 61 percent.
“It’s the most fantastic organisation, because it’s very much country-led, country-focused, and performance-driven,”
she stated. Funding from the Global Fund is contingent upon national health plans submitted by countries, which are then implemented by government agencies and the private sector. Lady Ros explained, “If you say you’re going to distribute half a million mosquito nets, you have to distribute them for the next lot of money to come.”
Despite the progress, substantial health challenges persist in the region. Lady Ros urged Australia to bolster its support for its neighbors. Australia has committed $266 million for the funding cycle from 2023 to 2025, but the Global Fund is seeking $330 million for the next phase. She remarked, “Australia has been a donor to the Global Fund from the very beginning – and it’s in Australia’s interest, as well as being the right thing to do.”
Australia is expected to announce its next pledge to the Global Fund in 2025, following the current funding cycle. As the situation continues to evolve, the call for action becomes increasingly critical, emphasizing the interconnectedness of health outcomes across borders.
