Did you know that 32 million unnecessary deaths have been prevented in over 120 countries thanks to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria? Our U.S. government provides life-saving investments in the Global Fund, an international organization which invests billions of dollars each year to support life saving programs run by local experts in over 100 countries such as Haiti, Sierra Leone, and Peru.

In a demonstration of solidarity, the Senate Appropriations Committee has matched the House’s increased funding for the Global Fund of $1.56 billion for Fiscal Year 2020. Remarkably, the global community has collectively pledged a record $14 billion over the next three years to continue to fund efforts to end AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria through the Global Fund.

Partners in Health Engage at SUNY Fredonia is a student-led organization driving forth the Partners in Health mission of bringing quality healthcare to the most vulnerable around the world. We thank nine state representatives, including Congressman Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), for supporting the 6th replenishment of the Global Fund by co-sponsoring House Resolution 517.

I urge Congress to continue to support and introduce legislation that strengthens global healthcare systems. Our country must continue to lead in the Global Fund’s goal of ending the AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria epidemics by 2030.

Elizabeth Hahn is a pre-medical student majoring in biology. She is Team Coordinator of Partners in Health Engage at SUNY Fredonia.