Doing Good Work To Fight Disease

Regarding the Dec. 18 editorial "A Question of Will; Fighting scourges such as malaria and AIDS requires strong institutions":

Since its inception the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the only global enterprise fighting those diseases, with an astonishing low percentage of overhead, has committed $6.8 billion to 136 countries. The fund works in each country with government, nongovernmental organizations, people living with the diseases, faith-based organizations and other partners to monitor their progress as well as potential mishandling of funds. The mission is to get life-extending, disease-curing drugs to those who need them.

Today, 770,000 people are receiving life-extending AIDS medication. Two million have been treated for TB. More than 18 million life-saving insecticide-treated bed nets have been distributed to save the lives of little children. All through the Global Fund.

With the impending departure of the organization's executive director, Richard G.A. Feachem, the search for a successor continues. Meanwhile, Dr. Feachem will continue to guide the fund's lifesaving work until a new executive director is appointed.

The most pressing issue is the absolute need to fully fund the Global Fund through the United States and other donor countries.

EDWARD W. SCOTT

Chairman

JACK VALENTI

President

Friends of the Global Fight

Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Washington