Global Fund Allocates $574 M to Support MW on AIDS, TB, Malaria

Global Fund Allocates $574 M to Support MW on AIDS, TB, Malaria

The Malawi high-level delegation to Geneva, Switzerland to hold discussions with the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on a number of issues, has disclosed that Global Fund has committed to allocate $574 million to Malawi for initiatives that strive for the best use of the money in the fight against three diseases over the next three years until December 2017.

Minister of Health Dr. Jean Kalilani who led Lilongwe delegation between January 17th to 20th January 2015, told members of press on Monday evening in Lilongwe that Global Fund has "declared its strong support" for 90-90-90, the road map developed by UNAIDS that is designed to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 with rapidly increased HIV testing, prevention and treatment and with eliminating stigma and discrimination.

The minister said Malawi government in the meeting "expressed commitment to maximizing the impact of Global Fund resources through a responsible, accountable and efficient use of funds including implementing public financial management reforms and measures to strengthen procurement and supply chain management systems."

A joint statement issued at the end of the meeting between Malawi and Global Fund indicates that Malawi Government has made steady progress in public financial management reforms and has installed a Fiscal Agent at ministry of health which has led to improvements in the control of Global Fund resources.

It adds that a reform process for the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and oversight structures for the Global Fund grants has been initiated together with various stakeholders.

The statement further indicates that Malawi government has committed to domestic financing that is "willingness to pay" of $30 million towards the national response to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria spread over a three year period.

The minister mentioned that the delegation also held meeting with Executive Director for UNAIDS, Mr. Michael Sidibe.

Dr. Kalilani said the UNAIDS director commended Malawi for "taking concrete actions" particularly reforms on proper management of HIV/AIDS resources and an allocation for the very first time of Malawi's own domestic resources for the ARV budget to the tune of $8.5 million.

The Minister noted that the trip was an important confidence building mission to update Global Fund on the performance improvement plans submitted by two principle recipients Malawi Government and National AIDS Commission (NAC) in 2014 and inform Global Fund on measures to be undertaken to restore confidence in Malawi's financial management and oversight as government is still writing concept notes requesting for funding for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria from Global Fund.

The Lilongwe delegation to Geneva included Chief Secretary to the Government, UNAIDS Country Director, acting Executive Director at NAC and Executive Director for Malawi Network for People Living with HIV (MANET+).