We just heard this great news that is likely to benefit millions of people.  US President Barack Obama decided to include $70 million in funding for research on neglected tropical diseases in his global health budget.  Here's what Kari Stoever, Managing Director of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases had to say:

“We applaud the President’s decision to include funding for neglected tropical diseases in his Global Health Budget.  The return on investment for the American people will be enormous.  

“For Americans who question the need to spend this money abroad when there are so many pressing needs at home, we only need to look as far the global impact of the H1N1 outbreak to understand how the rest of the world’s health impacts us.

“Cost-effective investment in life-saving medicine for the world’s most vulnerable populations will not only improve health but strengthen our relationships with countries in strategic parts of the globe.”

Since Azim I have both spent much time in the developing world, and seen too many people suffering from diseases that we've cured in the West, we are delighted to see this positive and hopeful investment.