Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jeremy Lefroy Excerpts
Wednesday 20th March 2019

(5 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alistair Burt Portrait Alistair Burt
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The hon. Lady is absolutely right. It is very important that HIV/AIDS is not seen as an issue of yesterday. I was present at the Amsterdam conference last year to make the case that there are still target groups that need more support. Sustaining and ensuring that countries’ local health systems have sustainable methods of dealing with this is a fundamental of DFID’s global health work, and it is essential that this work continues.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on malaria and neglected tropical diseases, I have seen the excellent work that the Global Fund has supported over the years, but local contributions from endemic countries are incredibly important. Will the Minister enlighten on whether those contributions have increased over recent years so that they can be put alongside the contributions through the Global Fund?

Alistair Burt Portrait Alistair Burt
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My hon. Friend is correct that national Governments have a significant responsibility regarding their contributions. Those contributions are increasing, but the question of mainstreaming that support so that it comes into their sustainable health systems naturally has to be considered. We will be working with other donors to boost the fund, and national Governments will have an increasing responsibility as time goes on, but they will not be left to deal with this situation alone.