Nigerian Times

François Iyamuremye and his wife Jacqueline Niyifasha live with their children in Kayenzi, Rwanda. The couple are two of nearly 100,000 HIV positive people in Rwanda. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Commits $750 Million to Global Fund 10th anniversary of innovative aid program celebrates millions of lives saved Davos, Switzerland, January 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today renewed its commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Gates Foundation is giving $750 million through a promissory note—a new and innovative funding mechanism. “These are tough economic times, but that is no excuse for cutting aid to the world’s poorest,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. “The Global Fund is one of the most effective ways we invest our money every year.” Providing funding through a promissory note gives the Global Fund the flexibility and authority to d...

Full report pdf, 14.97Mb Report without country profiles pdf, 3.69Mb Country profiles pdf, 15.11Mb Annexes pdf, 7.45Mb 13 Dec 2011 10:55 Africa/Lagos Malaria deaths are down but progress remains fragile GENEVA, December 13, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25% globally since 2000, and by 33% in the WHO African Region, according to the World Malaria Report 2011, issued today by the World Health Organization. This progress is the result of a significant scaling-up of malaria prevention and control measures in the last decade, including the widespread use of bed nets, better diagnostics and a wider availability of effective medicines to treat malaria. However, WHO warns that a projected shortfall in funding threatens the fragile gains and that the double challenge of emerging drug and insecticide resistance needs to be proactively addressed. "We are making significant progress in battling a major pu...

The Friends Africa and Access Bank Plc organized a workshop on Workplace Policy Development on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria for empowering companies to strengthen and develop workplace policies for the general health and welfare of workers. The workshop held on Friday December 2, 2011, at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the University of Lagos. The SMEs Workplace Policies Development program is an initiative of the Friends of the Global Fund Africa, delivered in partnership with Access Bank Plc. The program which was introduced in 2010 seeks to engage, train and assist African Small and Medium Enterprises in the development and implementation of Workplace Policies for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The program held its first successful series of workshop across Nigeria in the first quarter of 2010 reaching a target of over 250 SMEs spread across the North, East and South of Nigeria. The Workshops took place in Lagos (South), Enugu (East) and Minna (North). In 2011, the program is targeted ...

Bill and Melinda Gates Applaud Progress Against Malaria While Urging Renewed Effort Optimism, urgency and innovation needed to bring an end to malaria Seattle, Washington, October 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Three hundred leading malaria scientists, global health leaders, policymakers, government officials and advocates gathered today at the Malaria Forum to discuss great strides in malaria control and address challenges that are impacting the long-term goal of eradication. “We have seen tremendous success in the control of malaria, thanks to an infusion of resources, innovation, and political will,” said Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Worldwide, malaria deaths are down 20 percent since 2000.” More than one million African children have been saved from malaria since 2000. New tools such as long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets and artemisinin-based combination treatments (ACTs)—along with prevention during pregnancy and indoor residual spraying—hav...