Global Fund hailed in fight against HIV, malaria
Dec 06, 2005
The Global Fund is bearing fruits. According to their website: www.theglobalfund.org, the Global Fund is turning out to be a good investment.
By Timothy Makokha
and Agencies
The Global Fund is bearing fruits. According to their website: www.theglobalfund.org, the Global Fund is turning out to be a good investment.
Combining 323 grants to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria in 130 countries, the Global Fund had put 384,000 people on Anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment by end of November, (three times the number of ARV recipients they last year).
They also treated more than one million TB cases and expanded distribution of insecticide treated bed nets to 7.7 million, (up from 3.1 million six months ago).
In Uganda, the number of people accessing ARVs has increased. An official from the AIDS Control Programme (ACP) in the Ministry of Health, says by November, 67,525 people were accessing ARVs on Global Funds.
“We have also stepped up efforts to address HIV/AIDS prevention and more people are aware of preventive measures than they were a year ago.â€
Sam Enginyu, a communication specialist with ACP, says the Global Fund has made ARVs cheaper and affordable.
Appraising Global Fund, Dr John Rwakimari, the malaria control programme manager says Uganda has made remarkable feats in combating malaria. “Global Fund enabled us make use of the scientifically proven methods of fighting malaria,†he says. “It has also allowed prompt case management of patients and increase the number of pregnant women who receive two doses of Fansidar. Children under five who receive recommended malaria treatment under Homepack within 24 hours have increased from 25% to 65%. This has partly contributed to the fall by 22% of anaemic children.â€
Rwakimari added that malaria deaths among children under five have fallen from 4% to 3%. These efforts have also seen the ministry take management of malaria to communities under the Home-Based Management of Fever.
However, Rwakimari says the bureaucratic procurement system has limited the acquisition of insecticide treated nets and indoor residual sprays.
Its temporary suspension delayed the country’s schedule to roll out Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), which has been approved to replace chloroquine and Fansidar drugs. Uganda expects these drugs only early next year.
“With the reinstatement of Global Fund, we shall receive two million doses of ACT drugs early next year and thereafter 1.2 million doses each month. In a year, we shall have about 15 million doses of ACT drugs to be given freely in all government and NGO-run health units,†he says.
Ends
and Agencies
The Global Fund is bearing fruits. According to their website: www.theglobalfund.org, the Global Fund is turning out to be a good investment.
Combining 323 grants to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria in 130 countries, the Global Fund had put 384,000 people on Anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment by end of November, (three times the number of ARV recipients they last year).
They also treated more than one million TB cases and expanded distribution of insecticide treated bed nets to 7.7 million, (up from 3.1 million six months ago).
In Uganda, the number of people accessing ARVs has increased. An official from the AIDS Control Programme (ACP) in the Ministry of Health, says by November, 67,525 people were accessing ARVs on Global Funds.
“We have also stepped up efforts to address HIV/AIDS prevention and more people are aware of preventive measures than they were a year ago.â€
Sam Enginyu, a communication specialist with ACP, says the Global Fund has made ARVs cheaper and affordable.
Appraising Global Fund, Dr John Rwakimari, the malaria control programme manager says Uganda has made remarkable feats in combating malaria. “Global Fund enabled us make use of the scientifically proven methods of fighting malaria,†he says. “It has also allowed prompt case management of patients and increase the number of pregnant women who receive two doses of Fansidar. Children under five who receive recommended malaria treatment under Homepack within 24 hours have increased from 25% to 65%. This has partly contributed to the fall by 22% of anaemic children.â€
Rwakimari added that malaria deaths among children under five have fallen from 4% to 3%. These efforts have also seen the ministry take management of malaria to communities under the Home-Based Management of Fever.
However, Rwakimari says the bureaucratic procurement system has limited the acquisition of insecticide treated nets and indoor residual sprays.
Its temporary suspension delayed the country’s schedule to roll out Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), which has been approved to replace chloroquine and Fansidar drugs. Uganda expects these drugs only early next year.
“With the reinstatement of Global Fund, we shall receive two million doses of ACT drugs early next year and thereafter 1.2 million doses each month. In a year, we shall have about 15 million doses of ACT drugs to be given freely in all government and NGO-run health units,†he says.
Ends