ID :
10625
Mon, 06/23/2008 - 17:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/10625
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AUSTRALIA INTERESTED IN JOINING 'DEBT2HEALTH' PROGRAM
Jakarta, June 23 (ANTARA) - The Australian government is interested in joining the health-for-debt swap program called "Debt2Health" with Indonesia, according to the chairman of the Innovative Financing Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TBC and Malaria, Robert Filipp.
Germany was the first country to implement the program for Indonesia, Filipp said here on Monday.
Germany had approved six debt conversion programs for Indonesia involving funds totaling 143.56 million Euros or US$220 million, including for the Debt2Health program.
"After Germany, there will be Australia. Through the Global Fund, Germany will donate funds amounting to Aus$75 million for health programs, especially to fight AIDS, TBC and Malaria in Indonesia," he said.
Australia's wish to provide funds for the program in Indonesia was expressed by the new Australian government during the last general elections, he said.
"Therefore, GF (Global Fund) is conducting negotiations and at the same time reminding the Australian government about its political pledge," he said.
The Global Fund has so far funded medical treatment for 1.75 million patients of AIDS, 3.9 million patients of TBC and distributed 59 million mosquito nets.
HIV/AIDS, TBC, and malaria are still serious threats to the Indonesian people's health. The country has 170,000 patients with HIV and the highest number of TBC patients in Southeast Asia, with 150,000 people dying of TBC annually. Almost 100 million Indonesians live in areas prone to malaria.
"So far, Global Fund has invested almost US$200 million in Indonesia for medical treatment, handling, prevention and improvement of health program systems," Robert Filipp said.
The Debt2Health program aims to free up domestic resources through debt relief to invest in urgent public health needs in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The Global Fund identifies and negotiates debt conversion opportunities and then facilitates a three-party agreement among creditors, the beneficiary country and the Global Fund.
The Indonesian and German governments here on Monday (June 23), agreed to convert an Euro 50-million Indonesian debt to Germany into a Debt2Health program to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria requiring Euro 25 million in funds. As part of the agreement, Indonesia is to pay 25 million Euros to the Global Fund for the activities in Indonesia.
Germany was the first country to implement the program for Indonesia, Filipp said here on Monday.
Germany had approved six debt conversion programs for Indonesia involving funds totaling 143.56 million Euros or US$220 million, including for the Debt2Health program.
"After Germany, there will be Australia. Through the Global Fund, Germany will donate funds amounting to Aus$75 million for health programs, especially to fight AIDS, TBC and Malaria in Indonesia," he said.
Australia's wish to provide funds for the program in Indonesia was expressed by the new Australian government during the last general elections, he said.
"Therefore, GF (Global Fund) is conducting negotiations and at the same time reminding the Australian government about its political pledge," he said.
The Global Fund has so far funded medical treatment for 1.75 million patients of AIDS, 3.9 million patients of TBC and distributed 59 million mosquito nets.
HIV/AIDS, TBC, and malaria are still serious threats to the Indonesian people's health. The country has 170,000 patients with HIV and the highest number of TBC patients in Southeast Asia, with 150,000 people dying of TBC annually. Almost 100 million Indonesians live in areas prone to malaria.
"So far, Global Fund has invested almost US$200 million in Indonesia for medical treatment, handling, prevention and improvement of health program systems," Robert Filipp said.
The Debt2Health program aims to free up domestic resources through debt relief to invest in urgent public health needs in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The Global Fund identifies and negotiates debt conversion opportunities and then facilitates a three-party agreement among creditors, the beneficiary country and the Global Fund.
The Indonesian and German governments here on Monday (June 23), agreed to convert an Euro 50-million Indonesian debt to Germany into a Debt2Health program to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria requiring Euro 25 million in funds. As part of the agreement, Indonesia is to pay 25 million Euros to the Global Fund for the activities in Indonesia.
