The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has re-affirmed its pledge to assist developing countries to fight HIV-AIDS through reduced treatment cost. This offer would ensure more people, especially in Africa, benefit from life-saving therapy. Francine MacCutchan, a Senior Programme Officer of the foundation told the AIDS Vaccine conference in Bangkok, Thailand that affordable treatment for the disease will engage its attention in the next few years. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has so far advanced over $2.2 billion in HIV grants to organizations around the world. It has also provided $650 million to support the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Though world infection rate dropped by 17 per cent between 2001 and 2008, Africa still accounts for 70 per cent of new infections and remains key beneficiary of the foundation’s programmes. An estimated 10 million people are in need of HIV treatment worldwide. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works with private industries to reduce cost of drugs for HIV and other chronic diseases. Dr. Francine McCutchan said the initiative involves collaboration with pharmaceutical companies and individuals in vaccine development.