The Global Fund African Network, comprising of African regional community and civil society advocates, has appealed to African governments, donor agencies, development partners, and organizations to contribute to the 7th replenishment of the Global Fund to end HIV, TB, and Malaria.
Hosted by the United States of America, the 7th replenishment seeks to mobilize 18 billion dollars to support interventions to tackle three killer diseases; HIV, TB, and Malaria.
Speaking at the regional week of action themed: ‘Blazing the Torch, Meeting the Target’, to mobilize support ahead of the 7th replenishment, Brice Bambara, Civil Society Advocacy Associate Specialist at The Global Fund explained that the 7th replenishment is very important and charged leaders across the world to contribute their quota to make it successful.
Speaking extensively about the importance of the replenishment, Bambara explained that the Global Fund partnership has saved 44 million lives since its creation 20 years ago and has cut the combined death rates from the three diseases by more than half.
He noted that if raised, the 18 billion dollars would “save 20 million lives and cut the combined death rate by 64%; avert more than 450 million infections or new cases, reducing the combined incidence rate by 58%; and reduce inequities in health services by addressing gender-related and human rights barriers to access.”
He thereafter appealed to governments and private sector donors who are yet to pledge to the 7th replenishment to do so ahead of the replenishment which will hold in New York on the 19th of September 2022.
On her part, President of the Young Health Advocates Ghana, Priscilla Ama Addo, who said the Global Fund has been beneficial to young people living with HIV charged global leaders to express their commitment to support the youths by contributing to the Global Fund.
“It is time to put our money where our future is and global leaders need to step up and show loyalty and integrity towards the world and all youths,” Addo added.
Appealing to the Nigerian government to contribute to the Global Fund, Olaiyide Akanni, Executive Director of Journalist Against AIDS (JAAIDS), said the Nigerian government should contribute to the Fund as solidarity.
“Countries also give as part of solidarity to receive but it doesn’t mean what you give is what you get, we appeal to the Nigerian government to contribute to the 7th replenishment,” Akanni added.
The Regional week of action aims to mobilize additional support to ensure that the $8bBN target for the 7th replenishment is met and to follow up with leaders to take relevant actions.