Despite losing $18 billion of his net worth in the financial collapse, Bill Gates remains a self-described "impatient optimist"--about global health, that is. He stepped down as Microsoft CEO in June 2008 to devote more time to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization in the world. He and his wife, Melinda, met with NEWSWEEK's Jerry Guo in Washington last week before a major speech to policymakers on health programs. Excerpts:
There's been a backlash against the idea that more aid is always better. What do you say to the skeptics?BILL: Of the countries that donors give aid to, there's a number, like Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand, that have graduated, and what we're left with is a very tough group. But health aid is probably the least controversial because it brings down population growth.
Are you concerned some of the funding you're asking for will end up empowering bad governments?BILL: A vaccine is not that attractive to a dictator. Even in the toughest countries--Congo, Somalia--vaccinations work. If you're getting into building roads, you may have to stay away.
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