Senator Durbin on Bush’s Africa Trip
Share
Last summer the New York Times and the Pew Global Attitudes Project released a poll that showed that Africans were “wary but hopeful” about their future and the future of the continent. With devastating poverty, a massive AIDS epidemic and political strife, their hope seems remarkable. And it is this hope and their hard work, coupled with increased efforts by the U.S., which are making Africa a better place. Still, much more must be done.
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 11 percent of the world’s population and only three percent of the world’s health care workers. It suffers nearly half of the world’s deaths from infectious diseases and bears nearly two-thirds of the world’s HIV burden.
Thankfully, due to global leadership, over $7 billion has been distributed to 136 counties through the Global Fund in just 5 years. This program expands our ability to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria – a devastating but treatable and preventable disease. To date, every dollar committed by the US has been matched and doubled by contributions from other donors. The Global Fund needs to be expanded so we can continue to invest in the future of the continent by ensuring Africans have access to basic health care. This is a priority of mine and of ONE.
While I don’t agree with the President about much, we both feel that improving access to health care is one of the most important things our country can provide to the people of Africa. He has made good on his commitment by proposing to spend $30 billion over 5 years to combat global AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). I’m proud of this program and will work in the Senate to make sure that it is not only funded but expanded.
We are making strides, and we should be proud of our work to date, but we must continue to challenge ourselves to do more.
-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
.
UPDATE: Cross Posted on the Huffington Post.
- Previous Post Bush in Africa – Sunday News Round-Up
- Next Post Michael Gerson on the MCA
 |
 |
 |
Featured Series
About the Blog
The ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with frequent contributions from volunteers, members and partner organizations.
The ONE Blog updates readers daily with the latest in global development news and analysis and what ONE members and our partners are doing around the world to influence world leaders in the fight against global poverty.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE or ONE Action. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
February 20, 2008 at 4:35 am
While the monetary donations made to third world countries by the United States and the international community are monumental, our primary emphasis should be towards bringing doctors into countries where the HIV/AIDS crisis is rampant. As the Senator noted, only three percent of the world’s health care workers are in Africa even though it overwhelmingly bears the burden of the virus. Of course it is imperative that donations continue to be made, but initiatives should focus on bridging the disparity between infected people and the availability of health care professionals. Large scale international programs should be implemented that would encourage doctors and nurses to travel and work in places where the HIV/AIDS rates are out of hand; smaller organizations like Doctors Without Borders should be expanded, and the government should provide tax reduction benefits to professionals who volunteer. In addition, great lengths need to be taken to allow more students into medical school, a change that would not entail a lowering of academic standards. Currently in the United States, the American Medical Association only allows a minuscule percentage of students into medical schools annually, keeping the supply of doctors low and maintaining their exorbitant salaries. This monopoly is extremely petty in light of the international shortage of doctors.
The concluding challenge- a need to push ourselves and each other to make a greater impact- is vital if we want to be wholly successful in eradicating the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. Globalization and the successive technology revolution have enabled people who are not doctors or lawyers to take an active role in combating the international health crisis. However, few are aware of just how much of an impact they can make. The One Campaign has been extremely successful in educating the masses on global phenomena that have been largely ignored for decades. Still, more should be done to provide information on involvement opportunities, especially to younger generations. I believe if this challenge was more than just a statement but actually provided a means through which the public could donate their time and talents, there would be a surprising turn out of volunteers. Our media overwhelms us with heart wrenching stories, but we are never told how we can make a difference to ensure that our children don’t have to bear the burden of problems we left unsolved. Perhaps the most successful plan to eliminate the threat of HIV/AIDS for future generations is to create an accessible, straightforward system through which the masses could become involved.