WRITTEN QUESTION P-3419/02 by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission. Tuberculosis and the Stop TB Partnership.
Date: 2002-11-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: aid policy, cooperation policy, developing countries, disease prevention, health aid, health policy, infectious disease, poverty

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/55

(2004/C 11 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3419/02

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(25 November 2002)

Subject: Tuberculosis and the Stop TB Partnership

The WHO and other experts working on issues relating to the fight against tuberculosis have recently
highlighted the current funding shortfall for TB control. The World Health Assembly has set targets of
detecting 70 % of TB patients under the DOTS programme and curing 85 % of them by 2005. Although
the estimated annual cost for this is USD 1,2 billion, funding has only been secured for three quarters of
this amount.

Although Parliament and Council are currently examining the Commission’s proposed Regulation on aid
for poverty diseases in developing countries, does the Commission intend to take more immediate action
to help to address this shortfall? Is the Commission aware of any action taken by Member States that is
intended to fill this funding gap?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2002)

The Commission is aware of the Tuberculosis (TB) burden and the financial gap to extend DOTS as one of
the main priorities in the control of the major communicable diseases related to poverty. The Commission
supports the extension of the DOTS strategy. This strategy relies on effective health systems and, therefore,
it is through the support at country level and in dialogue with the government authorities towards sector
support we can best support TB control. The Commission is also co-financing non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) which have focused on TB control in some regions.

The Commission supports the Global Fund to fight the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS),
in the context of millennium development goals. It is
malaria and tuberculosis aiming at TB control
making a contribution of EUR 120 million for 2002. These funds will
tuberculosis control
programmes, including scaling up DOTS. The annual contribution 2003-2006 from the Budget Line for
poverty-related diseases is being discussed at present in Council and Parliament, and the Commission has
proposed a significant increase in funds compared to previous years. It will allow us, inter alia, to fund
innovative initiatives towards the control of TB, which can later be scaled up through the other financial
instruments of the Commission.

target

Eleven Member States are contributing to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The
total pledges from the Community are almost EUR 1,2 billion, or 55 % of all pledges.

(2004/C 11 E/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3421/02

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 December 2002)

Subject: EU funding for cultural projects in Albania

The EU, together with the Greek Government is funding a number of projects in Albania with a view to
stimulating the country’s growth and cultural development.

In which areas of Albania are cultural projects receiving funding? Is particular attention being given to
cultural projects receiving EU funding in southern Albania? What is the total EU funding earmarked for
Albania over the next five years and what funding will be allocated to cultural projects?