The Global Fund has approved a grant of $503.7 million (approximately K882 billion) for fighting tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria in Malawi under the Public Sector Principal Recipient.
Secretary for Health Samson Mndolo confirmed the development, saying the grant is based on the fund’s decision, made in November 2022, on funding available for the 2023-25 allocation period.
“I can confirm that the Ministry of Health is working in the fight against HIV, TB and malaria, including building resilient sustainable systems for health for the period of July 1 2024 to June 30 2027,” Mndolo said.
He added that the amount was determined for all recipient countries primarily based on disease burden and income level.
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Meanwhile, health rights activist Maziko Matemba has described the allocation as “great news for Malawi”.
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“This support from the Global Fund can only be appreciated when the implementing agencies of the support do the right things in supporting the people of Malawi. These funds will enable Malawi to purchase medicines and promote other healthcare services,” Matemba said.
He added that Malawi needs to seriously consider how to sustain the aid by gradually increasing the health budget and intensifying local mobilisation of resources.
Matemba warned the support might not be there forever.
The grant follows the submission of a funding request by the country through the Malawi Global Fund Coordinating Committee.
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Strides that Malawi has registered in its fight against HIV, TB and malaria have been largely attributed to the support it receives from partners such as the Global Fund.
The fund is an international financing and partnership organisation that aims to “attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of HIV, TB and malaria”.
It is the world’s largest financier of prevention, treatment and care programmes for the three epidemics.
