AHS urge Bush 'don't damage Aids legacy'

The Aids Healthcare Foundation has warned President Bush that he is at risk of damaging his legacy regarding the issue.

Created five years ago by Congress at the president's request, the US global Aids program has expressed its concern that vital funding for Aids medical care will no longer be a requirement of the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR).

Michael Weinstein, president of AHF, said: "AHF welcomes the renewal of this landmark global Aids program - widely expected to be among the president's most lasting and favourable legacies - however, we are concerned that the legislation to reauthorise PEPFAR eliminates the requirement that a majority of funding be spent on providing lifesaving Aids medical care.

"In fact, while the proposed bill more than triples the amount of money available, it only calls for PEPFAR to support increasing the number of people on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment by half, and makes no provision for HIV testing in order to locate those with the virus and get them into treatment."

He added that over 33 million people live with HIV/Aids worldwide, and that the changes would effectively consign "tens of millions of people to death".

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