The Federal Government has begun the implementation cycle of the $933 million grant received from the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria
The fund, whose implementation period is between 2024 and 2026, would support the building of a resilient and sustainable system for health, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate.
Lafiya360 reports that Pate, who made this known during the official flag-off ceremony in Abuja, noted that Nigeria is the highest recipient of the Global Fund grant in the 2021 to 2023 implementation periods with over $1.2 billion, including allocations for COVID-19 response.
The Minister further noted that the efforts by the Government at the national and sub-national levels, including support from development partners, have made this country achieve significant successes in its HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria responses.
According to him, the Global Fund grant to recipients includes: the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), $10,663,394.00 (HIV/AIDS); the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP)-FMOH, $30,038,555.00 (HIV/AIDS); the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy & Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP)-FMOH, $122,390,772.00 (Tuberculosis); and the Institute for Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), $340,095,438.00 (HIV/TB (C-Grant).
![GF Grant to Nigerian Recipient 1](/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GF-Grant-to-Nigerian-Recipient-1.png)
Others are: the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP)-FMOH, $80,877,025.00 (Malaria); Catholic Relief Services (CRS), $315,933,900.00 (Malaria); the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy & Buruli Ulcer Control Programme- FMOH, $42,557,406.00 (RSSH); and the Lagos State Ministry of Health, 4,100,440.00 (RSSH).
![GF Grant to Nigerian Recipient 2](/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GF-Grant-to-Nigerian-Recipient-2.png)
He added that the expected results are to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goal by 2025, with notable improvements in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
He said: “The experience from investment in health systems with a high emphasis on laboratory systems strengthening for surveillance, diagnostics, and quality assurance/quality control informed the implementation design of the 2024 to 2026 implementation period.
“At the end of 2023, more than 87 million nets have been distributed across Nigeria over the last five years with the Global Fund’s support. The governments of Nigeria, PEPFAR, the Global Fund, and other partners’ efforts have significantly increased the number of people diagnosed with HIV and placed on antiretroviral therapy.”
While urging the Global Fund and the principal recipients to patronise local manufacturers in order to unlock the value chain, he stated that there should be trust among the key players, while states should be diligent in the use of funds meant to help the most vulnerable population of the country.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), Patrick Dakum, who spoke for the principal recipients of the Global Fund GC7 project, noted that the recipients remain committed to ensuring programme efficiency.
This, according to him, is to make sure that amount spent is properly accounted for, even as they ensure strict adherence to the Global Fund guidelines on programming.
The Chairman, House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM), Hon. Amobi Ogah, in his goodwill message assured of the Committee’s resolve to oversight every fund that has been budgeted for the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the country, to ensure that every kobo spent is accounted for.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom, stated that the increase in the HIV, TB and malaria grants in Cycle 7, will further address the critical service coverage gaps among pregnant women, children, key populations and adolescents.