The Global Fund announced this Wednesday, 10 April, in Maputo, that 881.1 million dollars (55.6 billion meticals) are available for the implementation of programmes to prevent and combat HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well as to improve the management of the National Health System, drug testing capacity, vaccines, health products, among others.
According to the Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), the amount, which will be made available over the three-year period 2024-2026, also aims to increase the number of people living with HIV, so that they know their health status, with the hope of reaching 95 per cent of those infected by 2025.
According to the Global Fund’s Grants Manager, Mark Edington, this investment is expected to increase the coverage of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment to 81% and reduce the number of girls and boys involved in risky behaviour.
Of the total amount, 789.3 million dollars (49.8 billion meticals) will be disbursed by the Global Fund and the remaining 91.8 million dollars (5.8 billion meticals) by the Executive, explained Mark.
AIM explains that the amount to be disbursed by the government comes from the remainder that had been allocated by co-operation partners in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Minister of Health, Armindo Tiago, said that of the total amount, 475.2 million dollars (30 billion meticals) will go towards programmes to prevent and combat HIV, 57.2 million dollars (3.6 billion meticals) towards tuberculosis, 190.3 million dollars (12 billion meticals) towards malaria and 66.5 million dollars (4.2 billion meticals) towards strengthening health systems.
“With these grants, Mozambique becomes the Global Fund’s second largest portfolio. This ceiling represents a privilege and at the same time a great responsibility,” said the minister, stressing that the government will continue to invest in control programmes and the National Health System.
The Ministry of Health (MISAU) introduced as an innovation for the 2024/2026 triennium the allocation of 8.5 per cent of total resources to strengthening the health system, compared to 7.5 per cent in the previous triennium.
The Global Fund’s financing framework includes four grants to be distributed among an equal number of entities, namely the MoH, the Foundation for Community Development (FDC), the Health Collaboration Centre and World Vision.
With regard to HIV, figures released today by the Minister of Health indicate that between 2002 and 2022, the number of new infections fell by 41 per cent. “There has also been a drop in the number of AIDS-related deaths per year, down by 27 per cent, and 1.7 million deaths have been prevented,” said Tiago.
He said that the rate of vertical transmission had fallen from 43 per cent in 2004 to 9 per cent in 2023. This has helped prevent 352,000 new infections.
The Minister of Health also said that with regard to paediatric infections, by 2023, 88% of people living with HIV knew their status, and 85% of these had achieved viral suppression.
On the other hand, from 2002 to 2022, deaths from malaria fell by 95 per cent, due to the fact that the authorities distributed around 28 million mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide.
The president of the Board of the Civil Society Platform for Health and Human Rights, Gilda Jossai, expressed her satisfaction at the announcement of the support, but regretted the fact that her organisation is often sidelined.
The source believes that the Global Fund’s investment is based on national dialogue involving various actors, including the government and civil society. “We hope that the Global Fund will strengthen the monitoring services and the health system,” he said.
What is the Global Fund?
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is an international financial organisation that aims to “attract and distribute additional resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries.
By mobilising resources on a three-year cycle, providing a long-term vision in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as strengthening resilient and sustainable health systems, governments, the private sector and foundations commit donations to sustain the mission of the Fund which, as part of a global health partnership, works closely with partners in the public and private sectors.
The Global Fund oversees and evaluates activities through various structures and review mechanisms, ensuring that funds are spent as intended. The results of these evaluations are then communicated to donors.
