Also in global health news: Anti-gay bill; Bush Institute TV show; funds for HIV programs in Kenya; EU aid commitments

Jan 18 2010

Ugandan Pres. Museveni On Anti-Gay Bill: 'It's A Foreign Policy Issue'

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday publicly acknowledged the need to address the impact an anti-gay bill before the Ugandan parliament could have on foreign policy, Agence France-Presse reports (1/12). "Addressing a party conference [Tuesday], Museveni said the private member's bill had become a matter of international concern and more consultation was needed," the Guardian reports. "It's a foreign policy issue, and we must handle it in a way that does not compromise our principles but also takes into account our foreign policy interests," Museveni said (Rice, 1/13).

Bush Institute TV Show To Address Global Health Topics

"Former President George W. Bush's policy institute will co-produce a weekly TV show that will air on public television and some cable stations starting in February, officials said Tuesday," the Dallas Morning News reports. The show will feature "viewpoints" on several subjects, including global health, according to Jams Glassman, the head of Bush's institute and the host of the new show (Stahl, 1/12).

Kenya Should Develop Domestic Funding Sources For HIV Programs, UNAIDS Chief Says

Michel Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS, on Tuesday said the Kenyan government should develop domestic sources of funding for HIV/AIDS control programs, the Daily Nation reports. "Certainly, Kenya is at an enviable level of international support for its AIDS programmes, yet I hope you will develop a roadmap for sustainable financing," Sidibe said at a launch event for Kenya's third National AIDS Strategic Plan (1/12).

EU Member States Must Follow Through On Commitments To Developing World, EU Official Nominee Says

Andris Piebalgs, the EU's development commissioner nominee, recently said that he would "not hesitate to identify very clearly those member states that fail to meet" aid commitments to developing countries, Reuters reports. "I know that national budgets are under real stress," Piebalgs said. "But if we do not keep our promises on development aid, how can we expect developing countries to take partnerships seriously?" (Harrison, 1/11).