The Global Fund has sought President William Ruto’s support to mobilize funds to end HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and malaria.
In a letter addressed to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the Fund requested the President to help them using his global networks.
Peter Sands, the Executive Director of the Global Fund, in his letter, asked President Ruto to aid the organization during its Eighth Replenishment.
The letter noted that the request comes at a crucial moment when external funding for health is under severe threat.
“With your commitment and the leadership of President Ruto, I am confident you can deliver a successful Eighth Replenishment,” he said.
Sands explained that this will enable the Global Fund to continue supporting Kenya and other countries across the continent in saving lives.
The CEO noted that given the current global challenges, it was important than ever that there was a need to work together to ensure continued progress in reducing the burden of HIV, TB and Malaria and in strengthening health systems across Africa.
Global Fund Contribution in Kenya
He noted that for over 20 years, Kenya and the Global Fund had built an immensely successful partnership, with the Global Fund having invested over Ksh300 billion in Kenya.
During this period, Kenya has made great strides in the fight against the three diseases and in advancing towards Universal Health Coverage.
“It would be an unthinkable tragedy to see this progress stall, let alone be reversed,” he said.
The Fund lauded Kenya’s outstanding role as a co-host of the Preparatory Meeting for the Seventh Replenishment in 2022.
Sands said the meeting was instrumental in mobilizing a historic US$ 15.7 billion, reinforcing global solidarity to end HIV, TB and Malaria.
Also Read: Trump Terminates USAID Grants and Contracts in Kenya and Other Countries
ARVs Stock in Kenya
This comes at a time when there are reports that Kenya is running low on ARVs after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) stopped its funding to the sector.
Data shows that Kenya’s remaining ARVs stock is expected to last only six more months.
This has prompted some patients to hoard the medication in anticipation of a shortage.
Also Read: Ruto’s Ksh4.2 Trillion Budget, BAT Addresses Ksh3.6 B Tax Evasion & USAID’s Impact on Businesses
Trump Stops USAID
U.S President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, suspending all foreign development assistance for 90 days.
He said the U.S. foreign aid industry and bureaucracy do not align with American interests and, in many cases, contradict American values.
Consequently, the United States State Department issued a directive on January 24 to reduce all aid, potentially terminating grants that are essential for such startups.
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