Global fund approves US$28 million grant for Zambia

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

Zambia has received US$28 million for its Malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) fight from the Global Fund. The grant is part of the US$419.2 million to fund prevention, treatment and care services of people affected by AIDS, Malaria and TB in 37 countries worldwide.

According to a statement from PartnersZambia, the proposals, approved on August 30, 2012 were part of the Transitional Mechanism.

The mechanism was established by the Global Fund Board in November 2011 on an exceptional basis to ensure that essential programs are not disrupted, at a time when there was uncertainty on the availability of resources.

The approved funding will bridge the financing of essential interventions until the next opportunity to apply for grants.

Gabriel Jaramillo, General Manager of the Global Fund said, "We are proud that this investment can assure continuation of live-saving services to countless patients."

From the US$ 419. 2 million grant, a total of US$111.7 million is to be spent on HIV activities in 16 countries, while TB is set to gobble US$103.8 million in 18 countries, with a further US$ 202.2 million going to Malaria in 11 countries.

About 48 applicants presented 61 proposals but 11 proposals worth US$ 91.2 million from 10 countries were sent back for revision.Unlike regular grant proposals, which can last five years, the requests were limited to a two-year period.

Other African countries to benefit from the fund include Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo and Abidjan-Lagos Corridor organisation, Djibouti and Egypt. PYM