The Global Fund, the world's biggest public health donor has given Zimbabwe a grant of US$38m to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria for the next 9 months, in spite of the government's failure to account for some of the funds 18 months ago.
The Global Fund said US$20.4m of the total will go towards fighting HIV, whilst TB and Malaria will receive US$5.7m and over US$11m respectively.
The grant will be channelled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Ministry of Health will implement the set goals and targets.
Speaking at the grant signing ceremony at his Munhumutapa offices Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said that he was pleased the Global Fund has reengaged the Ministry of Health, following their 'bad experience' with the past administration.
"This signing ceremony thus signifies the revival of the Global Fund support that has been besieged by challenges prior to the formation of the inclusive Government. It also shows the growing confidence the donor community is having towards the inclusive Government," Prime Minister Tsvangirai said.
The UNDP country Director Dr. Agostinho Zakarias said despite the reported decline in HIV prevalence, Zimbabwe still has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world. Morbidity and mortality rates are still unacceptably high and the impact of HIV on national development is severe.
"Working with our UN partners, UNDP takes this responsibility seriously and will do its best to make sure that the people of Zimbabwe who need the services get them," Dr Agostinho Zakarias said.
The Global Fund has over US$16 billion under management in over 140 countries worldwide. Fifty percent of patients receiving ARV's are being financed by the fund which also finances over 4 million patients on DOT TB treatment, and millions who are suffering from malaria.
Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr. Henry Madzorera, however, said it was not automatic that everyone requiring ARVs would get them, as patients require several tests before starting treatment.
"Our health infrastructure and machinery has collapsed so it would not be possible to enrol everybody requiring ARV's for we risk overloading the programme," Dr Madzorera said.
The Civic Society, which was also represented at the ceremony, expressed satisfaction at the space they are receiving from the inclusive government. This follows some allegations by President Robert Mugabe a few weeks ago that NGOs were operating outside their bounds.
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"Bad Experience"?
I'm sorry, didn't Comrade Gono place an advertisement in the Herald where he admitted he took over $7M from the Global Fund's foreign exchange accounts? Has a forensic accounting analysis been done to show what Comrade Gono did with that money?
Nonetheless, the Global Fund has stood firm by the people of Zimbabwe in continuing it's funding despite the previous government's theft. It's good to see that they are continuing to fund programs important for the lives of innocent Zimbabweans.
Curiously, the money will go through Biti's Finance Ministry and NOT through the RBZ. Coincidence, I think not.........
"Total Empowerment!"
Country recieves 38 million to fight deseases!!!!!!. This not nearly enough, it would take at least 380 million to fight the worst desease the country has ever known------ ZanuPoofisitus.
Gono-with-the-money, used that stolen cash building the grain silo's on his recently stolen farm. It's Judgement Day.
A very interesting opinion on the Zimbabwean situation can be found on www.swradioafrica.com/pages/heart060809.htm
What missed opportunities Zimbabwe has with Mugabe putting off those who would contribute a great deal with aid. Then too there are those Zanu-PF morons still running around with their knobkeries fighting a colonial war that ended donkey's years ago instead of moving along and making the best of all the aid that other African countries are benefiting from. US38 million dollars in aid to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria is awesome. The great people of the USA are the ones who contribute a major share towards this global fund through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and prevention program.Many great strides have been made in Africa to combat these three targeted diseases particularly HIV/AIDS and the prevention of mother to baby HIV infection through early antiretroviral treatment to babies. Namibia for one has seen wonderful results in detection of HIV in babies through a simple finger prick blood test called Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID ) which is sent to the laboratory in Windhoek and within a week the results are relayed via computer to the hospitals or clinics. Kenya too has seen its HIV-positive pregnant mothers receiving ARVs up 80% compared to a global 33%. In Mr Biti's hands, this life saving gift will reach the people this time and may Mugabe get stuffed.
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