Singer Elton John, Wednesday (19/4), praised America’s leadership in the fight against AIDS. He delivered the compliment to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the anniversary of PEPFAR’s formation.
PEPFAR, an acronym for President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, was initiated by President George W. Bush. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Assistance began in 2003.
According to various reports, in its 20 years of operation, PEPFAR has saved around 25 million lives and invested around $100 billion in HIV-AIDS programs.
Elton John said the number of lives saved was more than double the number of people living in New Jersey and Idaho. He added, deaths from AIDS fell by 60 percent and new HIV infections fell by more than 50 percent.” However, John stressed the need for continued support from America for the continuity of PEPFAR. He also asked private donors to be willing to help in the AIDS response effort.
Congress must authorize PEPFAR to operate for another five years by September 30. According to members of Congress, they want a “clean” re-authorization, so the current law doesn’t change. “The next five years will determine whether we achieve our goal of ending the global HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030,” said commission chairman Senator Bob Menendez, a Democrat.
John’s AIDS Foundation works closely with PEPFAR. [ka/jm]
