Global Effort Urged for AIDS, TB, and Malaria: A Call to Action for All Nations

The international community faces a critical juncture in combating AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria—three diseases that continue to threaten global health security. An insightful article published in PLOS Global Public Health highlights the urgent need for all countries to strengthen their commitments and collaborative efforts to address these epidemics. Gorik Ooms of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium and colleagues emphasize that protecting the global response requires sustained funding and coordinated action.

Recently, U.S. policy changes, including the abrupt termination of most contributions to global health programs following President Donald Trump's second term, have jeopardized progress. These cuts threaten to cause over 3 million additional HIV-related deaths, 10 million new infections, 107,000 additional deaths from malaria, and 2 million more TB fatalities by 2025. Such disruptions undermine ongoing efforts in prevention, treatment, and control, particularly affecting marginalized populations.

HIV transmission remains high due to ongoing challenges in access to treatment and prevention, while TB persists driven by factors like urban crowdedness and undernutrition. Malaria control faces hurdles from developing resistance to treatments and insecticides, along with gaps in preventive measures and healthcare access. The authors stress that these epidemics require an international, collective approach to mitigate their impact.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is currently seeking an $18 billion replenishment for 2027–2029. A failure in this process could severely impair the ability of countries to sustain progress, especially as US funding diminishes. To counteract this, the authors recommend that all nations support the replenishment efforts, advocate for fair contribution assessments (such as 0.01% of GDP), and pursue reforms in the Global Fund’s governance structure to ensure equitable representation.

Furthermore, adherence to the Lusaka Agenda—aimed at transforming and strengthening global health initiatives—is vital. These strategic steps can secure a collaborative path forward, emphasizing the importance of global solidarity and shared responsibility.

Dr. Gorik Ooms notes that recognizing the mutual benefits of global health cooperation is essential, encouraging richer countries to view aid not merely as charity but as a vital component of their own security. Co-author Dr. Raffaella Ravinetto underscores building a resilient health ecosystem, encompassing infrastructure, policies, and human resources, as fundamental to healthcare accessibility worldwide.

In conclusion, sustaining and enhancing global responses to AIDS, TB, and malaria demands unified action, vital funding, and governance reforms. The authors advocate for a collective commitment from all nations to safeguard health security and promote health equity worldwide.