Progress report issued on Global Fund

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria funds 316 programs in 127 countries aimed at combating these life-threatening diseases. According to its annual progress report issued recently, these programs are providing 220,000 people with ARVs, far exceeding the target set for this year.

Within the report the Global Fund announced that it is suspending several of its grants to both Uganda and Myanmar. All 5 of the grants to Uganda, including 2 for HIV/AIDS, were temporarily stopped until the country’s finance ministry can ensure that the approximately $200 million will be handled effectively. The suspension of these grants should not interrupt treatment services or prevention programs in the country.

he Global Fund also chose to close its programs in Myanmar because of difficulty in delivering medicines and supplies. The grant was supposed to provide the Southeast Asian country with $98 million over 5 years and officials are now trying to convince the non-profit organization to reconsider its decision. The United Nations is now considering how to fill the gap in financial support to Myanmar.

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All articles written by Kristen Jill Kresge