The Australian Embassy in Myanmar on Tuesday announced that Australia will contribute about $11 million over five years to Myanmar's Three Diseases Fund, which aims to combat tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS in the country, the Associated Press reports (Associated Press, 8/22).

The Australian Embassy in Myanmar on Tuesday announced that Australia will contribute about $11 million over five years to Myanmar's Three Diseases Fund, which aims to combat tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS in the country, the Associated Press reports (Associated Press, 8/22). The 3D Fund -- a $100 million, five-year joint donor program -- aims to compensate for grants suspended by the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Xinhua/People's Daily, 8/21). The Global Fund in August 2005 announced a suspension of its grants to Myanmar, citing travel and other restrictions implemented by the country's government that impede the delivery of medical supplies and services. The fund in 2004 pledged to spend $98 million over five years to fight the three diseases in the country (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 8/11). The 3D Fund will help provide insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria; increase access to TB diagnosis and treatment; and promote condom use and expand HIV testing, treatment and care (Xinhua/People's Daily, 8/21). Australia will make its contribution through its government aid program AusAID, and the country will support prevention, treatment and care in Myanmar through the United Nations, nongovernmental organizations, civil society groups and health care providers (Associated Press, 8/22). Along with AusAID, the U.K. Department for International Development, the European Commission, Sweden's Sida, the Netherlands and Norway helped establish the 3D Fund. About 97,000 new TB cases and 12,000 TB deaths are recorded in Myanmar annually, and malaria is one of the leading causes of death among children under age five in the country. According to UNAIDS, up to 610,000 people, or 2.2% of the population, are living with HIV in Myanmar.