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The Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis, and Malaria has given Zambia a grant of US $102 million through
the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) to continue supporting the
country’s national HIV/AIDS responses. The single stream funding grant
consolidated four grants and will enable over 404,275 people to be counseled
and tested, 80,479 to be placed in treatment, 84,000 males to be circumcised,
and 70,050 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) to receive care and support.
At the October 10 signing ceremony
in Lusaka, GF head Eldon Edington stated that he was impressed with the Zambian
government's efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria in all parts of the
country. Edington praised Zambia for implementing measures to ensure that
health sector resources fulfill their intended purpose. He added that Zambia
has continued to make tremendous strides in the fight against major diseases
using GF resources.
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde said
the single stream funding grant would target high-impact areas to support the
fight against major diseases, and he stated that Zambia was privileged to have
received GF grants since the fund’s inception in 2002 that help the country
combat HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. Dr. Kasonde added that the government,
through the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP), had prioritized
health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and was impressed with CHAZ
for its concerted efforts to improve the health sector. Dr. Kasonde explained
that the fund will start operating a social health insurance scheme with public
servants as an entry point, adding that there would be a clear roll-out plan
for the private and informal sectors.
CHAZ chairperson Joop Jansen was
pleased that the government has continued to work with various cooperating
partners to improve Zambia’s health service delivery system. Dr. Jansen said
CHAZ, as the recipient, would take into account the risks, transparency, and
accountability of the grant funds.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
