Global Fund Grant must be used efficiently - Dr Phaahla

• Published date: 12 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has committed to checking on the Global Fund Grant to ensure that it is implemented in a quality manner and that the country utilises the funding received efficiently.

Phaahla said this on Thursday in Pretoria while officiating the signing of the new Global Fund grant valued over R8.8 billion for the next three-year cycle for the country's response to HIV and tuberculosis (TB).

'I urge our implementers to make South Africa proud and utilise the money accountably and effectively ensure that services are reaching the communities in need.

'I am excited for the new funding and promise to check in on the grant to ensure [that] we are implementing in a quality manner and absorbing funds effectively,' the Minister said.

He said that the country is grateful for the partnership it has forged with Global Fund since 2003.

To date this partnership has seen South Africa receiving around US$1.3 billion to fight HIV, TB and Malaria. This, he said, is strengthening the country's efforts towards meeting the 2030 Sustainable Goals.

'I would like to thank the Global Fund for increasing the funding allocation for South Africa from US$ 369 million in 2019-2022 to US$ 546 million for the period 2022-2025. South Africa appreciates this continuous support.'

The allocated funds include the matching funds of US$10 million and will support activities to be implemented through the AIDS Foundation of South Africa, Beyond Zero, NACOSA and the National Department of Health as principal recipients.

Responding to the recent findings of South Africa's first TB prevalence survey which showed a TB burden about twice as high as was previously estimated, the Minister said that a surge investment has been prioritised for TB interventions. He extended his gratitude to Global Fund for responding vividly to the COVID pandemic, through grant flexibilities.

He said that this is also through dedicated COVID funds that the Global Fund allocated from 2020 including the recently approved fast-track -all amounting to a total of US$ 238 million.

'The COVID-19 Response funding is contributing significantly to limit interruptions in delivery of TB and HIV services,' he said.

Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM)

Speaking about SA's Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), Phaahla said that it ensured a robust consultation process which ensured, every province; key population; beneficiaries; constituency; sector had a say in what goes in the funding proposal.

The CCM consulted more than 35...