The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has allocated new funds in the sum of 24 million US dollars toward continuing the implementation of HIV prevention programs, designed to help the most vulnerable groups in 10 regions of the Russian Federation, reports site Aids.Ru. Aids.ru also reported that it will resume its work after a two-year break, which was connected with the conclusion of its grant.
The decision on the allocation of new funds will allow implementation of programs targeted at vulnerable groups of the population to continue until December 31, 2011.
Robin Gorna, the executive director of the International AIDS Society, among others, welcomed the decision, but stressed the need for funding of prevention programs by the Russian Government. "This decision will save thousands of lives, however this is a temporary measure. The main burden of responsibility remains with the Russian Government, which ought to use 20 years of experience in science and practice and adopt new long-term programs to reduce the harm caused by the AIDS epidemic. "It is precisely that which will save tens of thousands of more lives of young Russians," radio station Voice of America cited her as saying.
Translated by Timothy Grishin