$300 Million Increase in PEPFAR Funding Brings Dream of an AIDS-free Generation Closer to Reality

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) applauds the U.S. Congress for maintaining its leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS by securing $4.32 billion for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the FY 2015 budget, a $300 million increase from the program's FY 2014 funding level.

"This renewed commitment comes at a critical time in the effort to end AIDS in children worldwide. We know that we can prevent a mother from passing HIV to her baby, and thanks to PEPFAR and its partners, we've decreased the number of new pediatric infections by 58 percent worldwide. But every day almost 700 babies are newly infected with HIV because their mothers don't have access to the care they need to prevent transmission.

"Every minute counts in the effort to end AIDS in children. Improved prevention, diagnostic, and treatment measures to ensure mothers and their children are reached with the medicines they need to live healthy lives are desperately needed. And we need them today, because tomorrow will be too late for too many children living with HIV.

"EGPAF, along with our partners and fellow advocates, remains committed to providing a voice for the most vulnerable among us living with HIV: children and their families. This funding announcement is an affirmation that our voice did not fall on deaf ears. When faced with proposed cuts to the budget line that funds PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (Global Fund), Congress held firm and rejected these cuts.

"EGPAF hopes to see the momentum PEPFAR generated in 2014 with the Accelerating Children's HIV Treatment (ACT) initiative and the Global Pediatric Antiretroviral (ARV) Commitment-to-Action continue to gather strength in 2015 and the years to come. It is only by working together that we will make the dream of an AIDS-free generation a reality."

About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF):
EGPAF is the global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS, and has reached 20 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. It currently supports more than 7,000 health facilities and works in 15 countries to implement prevention, care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute global advocacy activities that bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide. For more information, visit www.pedaids.org.

Media Contact: Johanna Harvey: [email protected] or +1 (202) 280-1657

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SOURCE Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation