Government Committed To Malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS Elimination In Ghana – President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo says his second term administration is committed to the fight aimed at eliminating Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) from Ghana.
Speaking at a ceremony to launch the Global Fund (New Funding Module 3, NFM3) grant, today the 31st of March 2021 at the “Kempinski hotel Gold Coast City”, President Akufo-Addo said the mobility and mortality rates associated with the three diseases continue to threaten the country’s development. To this end, the President noted that everything ought to be done in order to eliminate them from the nation.
“Today as we commence the new funding module three, we aim to accelerate progress towards the realization of the seventeen (17) sustainable development goals, achieve lower mobility and mortality in malaria, HIV and TB, as well as strengthen our entire health care system. With some two hundred and four million United States dollars ($204, 000,000.00) to be made available by the Fund between 2021 to 2023, we will be able to continue with the programme to eliminate HIV, Malaria and TB and also build health structures that are beneficial to dealing with chronic and infectious diseases” President Akufo-Addo indicated.
“Zero Malaria starts with me, let us come together and drive malaria away. The clock is ticking, let us accelerate action to end TB now. Stay safe, let us end AIDS by 2030” the President added.
The Health Minister
Health Minister, Kweku Agyeman-Manu (MP) in his statement at the ceremony noted that the launch of the new Global Fund grant is “in line with the new national policy direction on health as enshrined in the revised National Health Policy (NHP, 2020), as well as the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Roadmap 2020 – 2030 which seek to work collaboratively with all stakeholders and partners to ensure that all 0eople in Ghana have timely access to high quality health services irrespective of ability to pay at the point of use”.
“This includes the diagnosis, treatment and management of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis” the Health Minister said.
“There is still more work to be done in our quest to improve the quality of life of the people living in Ghana. The current grant therefore comes at an opportune time. It is important that we work within the revised health policy framework, country systems and structures as we collectively implement the objectives of the NFM3” Health Minister, Kweku Agyeman-Manu added.
The Global Fund
The Global Fund makes smart, effective investments in the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria through a unique, partnership-based funding model. The funding model, which continuously evolves based on new needs, learning and realities, recognizes the only way to end the three diseases as epidemics is by working together.
This includes the Global Fund, governments, civil society, people affected by the diseases, technical partners, the private sector and other partners. The funding cycle runs in three-year periods that directly correspond with donor Replenishment periods. The current funding period runs from 2020 through 2023.
In each funding period, the Global Fund allocates donor funds to eligible countries. Countries then apply for their funding after engaging in an inclusive consultation at the country level. After technical review and approval, countries implement their grants. Evaluation and oversight continues throughout implementation to monitor progress and performance.