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US set to spend $50bn against HIV | US set to spend $50bn against HIV |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The US is set to spend $50bn to battle HIV/Aids in the next five years. | The US is set to spend $50bn to battle HIV/Aids in the next five years. |
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to more than triple government spending in Africa and other badly affected parts of the world. | |
The bipartisan measure, which is backed by the White House, was passed by 308 votes to 116. | The bipartisan measure, which is backed by the White House, was passed by 308 votes to 116. |
The bill marks a huge increase from the $15bn authorised during the first five years of an initiative launched by President Bush in 2003. | The bill marks a huge increase from the $15bn authorised during the first five years of an initiative launched by President Bush in 2003. |
"There is a moral imperative to combat this epidemic," said Nancy Pelosi, the House's Democratic speaker. | "There is a moral imperative to combat this epidemic," said Nancy Pelosi, the House's Democratic speaker. |
The initiative would be the largest US investment ever against a single disease. | The initiative would be the largest US investment ever against a single disease. |
HIV/Aids around the world | HIV/Aids around the world |
Last May, Mr Bush asked Congress to set aside $30bn for the plan, aimed at providing treatment for 2.5 million people and preventing more than 12 million new infections. | Last May, Mr Bush asked Congress to set aside $30bn for the plan, aimed at providing treatment for 2.5 million people and preventing more than 12 million new infections. |
The programme currently supports life-saving treatment for nearly 1.5 million people, the White House said. | |
Initially focused on Vietnam, Guyana, Haiti and 12 African nations, the programme will be expanded to include Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho as well as some Caribbean nations. | Initially focused on Vietnam, Guyana, Haiti and 12 African nations, the programme will be expanded to include Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho as well as some Caribbean nations. |
Opponents of the bill argued that it was too expensive, and that more pressing needs closer to home needed to be addressed. | Opponents of the bill argued that it was too expensive, and that more pressing needs closer to home needed to be addressed. |
The UN estimates that two-thirds of the 33 million people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - the virus that causes Aids - live in sub-Saharan Africa. | |
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