How much is the Global Fund investing in Uganda?

The Global Fund was established in 2002 to avail resources to fight AIDS, TB, and malaria, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need. It was founded following a call by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to support the fight against these diseases, backed by the G8’s commitment to work on major infectious diseases. The creation of the Global Fund was a response to the global health crisis posed by these diseases, to significantly reduce their impact through a unique global partnership among governments, civil society, the private sector, and affected communities.

The Global Fund allocated Uganda a total of $587.13 million for the period 2023-2025, with the funds earmarked for combating three major diseases. Of this, $288.48 million was designated for HIV programs, $267.25 million for malaria interventions, and the remaining $31.39 million was allocated towards tuberculosis efforts, reflecting a strategic distribution aimed at addressing the most pressing health challenges in the country.

For the cause of supporting Uganda’s Response to TB, the Global Fund’s primary recipient is the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of the Republic of Uganda (MoFPED) and the grant is intended to significantly reduce TB incidence in Uganda, targeting a drop from 199 per 100,000 in 2022 to 179 per 100,000 by 2026. Key objectives include enhancing TB preventive treatment coverage to over 90%, raising TB treatment success to 95%, and expanding MDR-TB treatment coverage to 80%. Efforts will also focus on improving diagnostic methods, increasing the treatment success rate for TB/HIV co-infections, reducing stigma, and enhancing private sector involvement in TB case notification. The strategy encompasses strengthening laboratory systems, community health frameworks, and infrastructure to ensure quality and equitable healthcare services and 82% of the fund for this cause has already been disbursed.

In response to supporting Uganda’s Response To HIV/AIDS And Tuberculosis Reduction Strategy, The AIDS Support Organisation (Uganda) Limited (TASO) is the primary recipient and the major goal of the Fund is to transform the societal landscape by 2030, by eradicating HIV and AIDS. Key objectives include a 65% reduction in new HIV infections among adults and youth, with a sharp decline in pediatric cases. Efforts will also focus on reducing AIDS-related health issues, enhancing social and economic safeguards, improving service delivery and coordination in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and refining strategic information systems for better management and outcomes and 76% has been disbursed as of today.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of the Republic of Uganda (MoFPED) is also the principal recipient of the Global Fund supporting Uganda’s response to HIV, the goal of the grant is to elevate the population’s productivity, inclusiveness, and well-being by 2030 through the termination of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Strategies include slashing new HIV infections among adults and youth by 65%, and bringing new pediatric infections below 5% by 2025, alongside diminishing AIDS-related health issues. The plan also involves bolstering social and economic defenses to lessen HIV vulnerability, enhancing service delivery and coordination across sectors, and fortifying the strategic information management system to heighten the effectiveness and efficiency of HIV and AIDS interventions and 94% of the committed amount has been disbursed.

To support Uganda’s Strategy for acceleration towards the elimination of Malaria, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of the Republic of Uganda (MoFPED)is the primary recipient. The Fund’s goal for 2025 is to lessen malaria morbidity by half and cut malaria-related deaths by 75% from 2019 figures. Strategies include expanding access to prevention and treatment, improving service quality in the private sector, and ensuring 90% of the population adopts effective malaria management practices. The approach emphasizes data-driven decision-making, transitioning targeted districts from control to elimination, and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration to create a supportive environment for malaria interventions and 94% of the committed fund has been disbursed.

The Global Fund is also supporting Uganda’s malaria reduction strategy through The AIDS Support Organisation (Uganda) Limited (TASO). Under this, the Fund’s 2025 objectives focus on cutting malaria morbidity by half and reducing mortality by 75% from 2019 figures. Key initiatives include broadening access to preventive and treatment services, improving service quality within the private sector, ensuring widespread adoption of effective malaria management practices among the population, basing programming on solid data, transitioning specific districts from control to elimination strategies, and bolstering district capabilities for delivering interventions through enhanced partnerships and collaboration and 90 % has been disbursed.

In conclusion, the Global Fund’s substantial investments in Uganda have been pivotal in the fight against malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, with key recipients including TASO and MOFPED. It is imperative for citizens to actively engage and hold these entities accountable through established democratic channels. To learn more about the impactful work of the Global Fund, explore further details here;https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/ .

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