Economist Jeffrey Sachs Says HIV/AIDS, Other Diseases Will ‘Frustrate’ Africa’s Economic Future if Left Unaddressed

African leaders must either "intensify their fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases" or see efforts for economic progress "come to nothing," Harvard University economist Jeffrey Sachs said yesterday during a meeting of the Southern African Development Community. Sachs, who serves as the director of Harvard's Center for International Development, told African heads of state that efforts to improve their nations' economies will be "deeply frustrated" unless HIV/AIDS and other epidemics are "brought under control." Sachs told the leaders to prepare proposals to access money from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. He also told the leaders to "actively pursue" the New Partnership for African Development, an Africa-led effort that aims to promote development, peace and stability on the continent (Reuters, 1/14).