The Global Fund was created in 2002 to help the world battle three killer diseases-AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria. Its accomplishments have been spectacular, making it arguably the most successful innovation in foreign assistance of the past decade. As a result of Global Fund programmes, an estimated 2.5 million people are on anti-retroviral AIDS therapy. No fewer than eight million people have been cured of tuberculosis. And more than 100 million long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets have been distributed in the fight against malaria. In total, studies suggest that Global Fund programmes have saved five million lives.