Embassy Press Release

March 24 – The World Tuberculosis Day

The U.S. has donated $3.3 billion to the Global Fund aimed to control tuberculosis and other diseases

In Romania the Global Fund has distributed 3.6 million euros for TB control efforts from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2009.

Among deadly infectious diseases worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is second only to HIV today. Even though a cure for drug-sensitive TB has existed for more than 50 years, the disease continues to hit the poorest and most vulnerable groups the hardest, especially women and children. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes one day each year, World Tuberculosis Day on March 24th, to call attention to the disease and to mobilize action to combat it. This year, the Embassy of the United States of America is pleased to partner with officials from the Government of Romania, international organizations, health professionals, and NGOs in recognizing and promoting TB control efforts in Romania.

The American people are making major investments to prevent and control TB around the world. Through our active engagement in the STOP TB Partnership, we are a key partner in global efforts to achieve the Partnership’s Global Plan targets of cutting TB prevalence and deaths in half by 2015 relative to 1990 levels. Achieving this goal could save or improve 14 million lives worldwide, including up to 15,000 in Romania. To this end, the U.S. has donated $3.3 billion to the Global Fund, a public-private financial partnership for combating HIV/AIDs, Malaria, and TB, since 2002. To date, Global Fund investments have provided 3.9 million people with treatment for TB. Here in Romania, the Global Fund has distributed 3.6 million euros for TB control efforts from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2009.

However, much work remains to be done. On World Tuberculosis Day, the United States renews its pledge to work with Romania and the rest of the international community to successfully implement the Global Plan to Stop TB. The lives of thousands of Romanians depend on these efforts.

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