Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and U.K. Chancellor George Osborne recently created a fund that will support the worldwide fight to eliminate malaria and similar infectious diseases.
The fund is named the Ross Fund in honor of Sir Ronald Ross, the first British Nobel Laureate who is recognized for his discovery of malaria originating with bites from infected mosquitoes.
The fund is one piece of important restructuring taking place within Britain’s aid budget. The new budget will be released this week and include the Chancellor’s Spending Review. The chancellor has said that the core of his new strategy will be prosperity and security.
The goal to eliminate malaria is founded on
Osborne’s previous commitments. He has visited Uganda and sought to meet all 0.7 percent in the Official Development Assistance target. His presentation in Parliament helped to bring about the fund, urging Britain to improve its standing in eliminating health threats that could affect the nation.
“I have always believed that our commitment to overseas aid is important to promote our national security and interests and around the world,” the chancellor said. “That includes the fight against malaria – something I’ve been committed to since 1997.”
