The Commonwealth country of Malawi is increasing funding and resources to tackle HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, with the aim of providing access to HIV treatment for more than 800,000 people by 2020
The Commonwealth country of Malawi is increasing funding and resources to tackle HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, with the aim of providing access to HIV treatment for more than 800,000 people by 2020.
HIV, TB and malaria cause significant mortality and negative socio-economic impacts, especially in many resource-poor and developing regions in the world.
Despite increased financial support and implementation of research-led prevention and treatment techniques, globally almost 5 million people still die every year from these diseases.
In partnership with the Global Fund, Malawi signed four grants worth US$460 million on November 9, 2017 to enhance the country’s fight against the three illnesses.
The grants will support programs with aims to reach the 90-90-90 targets by 2020, meaning 90% of people with HIV to know their status, 90% of people who know their HIV-positive status to access treatment, and 90% of those being treated to have suppressed viral loads.
Particular focus will be made on efforts to prevent HIV among adolescent girls and young women.
Funds will also be used to strengthen Malawi’s supply-chain management, improve national data systems and distribute over 10 million mosquito nets to vulnerable communities.
Resources provided through the Global Fund come from partners such as the UK Department for International Development, the European Union, UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation.
Malawi’s Ministry of Health, ActionAid Malawi and World Vision Malawi will all manage the grants, which includes an additional US$33.8 million from the Malawi government as part of it domestic financing obligations.
Atupele Muluzi, Minister of Health and Population, said: “I am most appreciative of both the Global Fund and their funding partners for their continued support.
“Malawi is working to ensure effective implementation of these grants in an accountable and effective manner.”
Mark Edington, Head of Grant Management at the Global Fund, said: “Malawi is a great example of partnership at work.
“It is great to see the country work with the Global Fund partnership to step up efforts to prevent HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women, as well as introduce reforms in supply-chain management for greater impact against HIV, TB and malaria.”
