By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) has recently approved One Hundred and Thirty-Six Million United States Dollars ($136M) in funding to aid Sierra Leone in combating AIDS, TB, malaria and strengthening the healthcare system in the country.
The grants will accelerate the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria while strengthening the health and community systems across the country for the period of 1st July 2024 to 30th December 2027.
The grants were officially launched on Friday, 14 June 2024 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during the ceremony presided over by Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone at the State House;
“The grants that we are signing today with the Global Fund will support us to continue the fight against HIV, TB, and malaria and to strengthen Sierra Leone’s health system, aligning with our National Strategic Plan, the roadmap to universal health coverage and our National Health Strategic Plan.”
The GFATM funding will play a significant role in providing essential healthcare services to citizens of Sierra Leone, particularly those living in poverty-stricken areas. The funding has been allocated for a span of three years, with the intent to improve the current healthcare system of the country through equipping hospitals with the latest equipment and technology, and providing training and resources for medical professionals.
The event was graced by dignitaries like Minister of Finance, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Minister of Gender and Children Affairs; Representatives of Donor countries to the Global Fund; Civil Society Representatives; Chairman Health Parliamentary Committee, Representatives from UN agencies, Health Partners; Chairperson and Representatives of members of the Country Coordinating Mechanism; and Global Fund Representatives, including Mark Edington, Head of Grant Management at the Global Fund.
“We have been working with Sierra Leone since 2005, with investments of over USD500 million in the country,” said Mark Edington. “We commend the important progress made towards targets for HIV, TB and malaria, and we will continue supporting the country to strengthen its overall health system and development agenda through the new grants,” he added.
The Ministry of Health and World Vision International Sierra Leone, in collaboration with their Partners, will commence implementation on 1st July 2024 of the above named Grants with the support and engagement of the communities most affected by the three diseases. They will promote an integrated approach to HIV, TB and malaria services through the strengthening of the country’s community health system, with the ambition of delivering equitable, effective, high-quality health services to the entire population.
The Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism Sierra Leone (CCM SL) remains thankful to the Government of Sierra Leone, particularly the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Key Populations, Key Partners, including UN, World Vision International Sierra Leone and The Global Fund for their tireless support towards the approval of the continuation of the Global Fund Grants in the fight against AIDs, TB, Malaria and Strengthening of the Health System in Sierra Leone.
