The Bank and UNITAID, a mechanism recently set up to help finance the procurement of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria drugs for developing countries in coordination with the World Health Organization, signed an agreement last week in Paris for the amount.

France's foreign minister Philippe Douste Blazy, signed the agreement on behalf UNITAID in his capacity as chairman of its board of executive directors, while the IDB president, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, signed it on behalf of the Bank.

Ali explained that the Bank will strive to secure financing from its member countries and donor agencies that are concerned with the issue to give as grants and concessionary loans to the countries targeted under the programme.

The agreement stipulates that cooperation between the two signatories shall focus on roll back malaria. In the light of the achievements made, the two sides will collaborate to combat other diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, the statement indicated.

However, roll back malaria will be included as a first phase in an integrated programme depending on the specific needs of the countries concerned. These countries are Burkina Faso, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sudan and Indonesia.

UNITAID was established in September 2006 following an initiative by France, Brazil, Chile, Norway and the United Kingdom to help provide funds necessary to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries that are most affected by these diseases.

A nominal tax shall be levied on air tickets sold in member countries of UNITAID. So far eighteen African countries have joined the organization and 45 countries are considering a sustainable funding mechanism to help the organization achieve its objectives. 22 April 2007 - PANA

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