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www.fdanews.com/articles/84931-eu-pledges-19-million-in-arv-funding-to-zimbabwe

EU PLEDGES $19 MILLION IN ARV FUNDING TO ZIMBABWE

March 1, 2006

The EU has given Zimbabwe $19 million in funding to purchase much-needed medicines, including antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for the country's 1.5 million HIV/AIDS-infected citizens. The donation comes shortly after the government of Zimbabwe allocated $830,000 to purchase ARVs.

The funding will bolster the country's "Vital Health Program," which in recent years has sought to focus on providing ARVs, vaccines, medical supplies, training for human resources and measures aimed at retaining staff in remote areas. Currently, HIV/AIDS treatment is severely lacking in Zimbabwe, hampered by a dearth of financial resources and medical professionals, and by the country's continuing political instability. The Global AIDS Fund, a multinational organization that works to direct resources to HIV/AIDS-afflicted regions, has denied Zimbabwe funding in the past, due to widespread governmental corruption in the country.