Other news relating to the Global Fund partnership

Author:

Adèle Sulcas

Article Type:

Article Number: 6

New research shows Global Fund linked to improved governance, Replenishment Partner Update

ABSTRACT This edition’s ‘Of Interest’ highlights new research from Georgetown University published in the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Global Health showing improved governance across a range of aspects in Global Fund-funded countries, and the Global Fund’s monthly Replenishment Update.

The Annals of Global Health, a peer-reviewed journal, published in May an article by Georgetown University researchers Dr Matthew Kavanagh and Lixue Chen, called “Governance and Health Aid from the Global Fund: Effects Beyond Fighting Disease”. The article, based on original research by the authors, states that “aid from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is linked to better governance in low- and middle-income countries, including improved control of corruption, rule of law, and overall development.”

The authors sought evidence on the effects of Fund financing over the past 15 years on national governance and development, using data from 112 countries. The article highlights the Fund’s “innovative structures, unique to the architecture of aid,” including “participatory processes that engage multiple stakeholders at global and national levels and have high levels of transparency and accountability, including independent audits,” the press release says.

Read the full press release from Georgetown University…

Read the full article from the Annals of Global Health…

++++++++++

REPLENISHMENT PARTNER UPDATE

The Global Fund’s new-ish monthly Replenishment Partner Update contained a handy roundup of Global Fund-related – and broadly Replenishment-related – news. In other words, not a lot about money. This is to be expected, given that the Pledging Conference will only take place in October, so it is unlikely that there will be a flood of pledges before then. However, Takeda, the Japan-headquartered global pharmaceutical company, took the lead in the private sector by becoming the first private sector company to make a pledge for the Sixth Replenishment – ¥ 1 billion (about $9 million) over five years, to support “the improvement of maternal and child health by integrating quality HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services in antenatal and postnatal care in several countries in Africa,” the Global Fund’s June 3 news release said. Takeda’s previous, first pledge to the Fund was for ¥ 1 billion over ten years.

In addition, the update included news of Algeria and Argentina’s ‘malaria-free’ certifications, the Board’s approval of a new methodology for allocation and catalytic investments (see article from GFO 356 on the 41st Board Meeting’s main decisions), the appointment of the new Board Chair and Vice-Chair, highlights of ‘the Global Fund in the news’, links to stories, videos and blogs  – in other words, a balanced summary of recent Global Fund news and events, expressing the health of the organization and, presumably, thus intended to bolster donor confidence.

We like (a lot) Executive Director Peter Sands’ game-changing quote from the email update: “Ending the HIV epidemic isn’t just about infections averted, it’s about potential unleashed.”

To subscribe to the Global Fund’s Replenishment update…

++++++++++