The World Health Organisation and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, have signed a new strategic framework to build stronger and more resilient health systems.
The new five-year framework builds on the previous agreement signed between the two in 2018.
The WHO stated that the agreement aligns with the 2023-2028 Global Fund Strategy and the WHO General Programme of Work.
It puts communities at the centre of health response and also addresses pandemic preparedness and challenges posed by climate change, it added.
The WHO stressed that the framework would maximise collaboration and impact in support of country, regional and global responses to major communicable diseases
It further explained that the framework fits with broader collaboration platforms to accelerate support for countries to achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals, including Universal Health Coverage.
WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, in the statement said health budgets globally were strained and under pressure.
“It is imperative for our two organisations to continue to work together to support countries to expand access to services for the three diseases as part of our journey towards universal health coverage.
“In the light of slowing progress towards ending AIDS, TB, and malaria epidemics, coupled with emerging health challenges, stronger collaboration between the two organisations is needed more than ever,’’’ he added.
Ghebreyesus noted that the two organisations have a common mission and commitment to serve countries and that the new strategic framework for collaboration would further strengthen and extend the collaboration.
Speaking during the signing of the framework, the Executive Director of Global Fund, Mr. Peter Sands, said the partnership between the organisations was more critical than ever.
He explained that this was because the world was beset by interlocking and intersecting crises, from conflicts to climate change.
“Crises shock global systems and roll back gains with the world’s most vulnerable people bearing the brunt. Organisations like ours are most effective when we collaborate closely with national governments and other trusted partners to strengthen local, community-driven systems for health,’’ he added.
Sands note that continued collaboration over the past years had contributed to significant achievements at the country level.
He said, “Twenty countries are now implementing, in a more efficient and cost-effective way, differentiated service delivery for HIV testing, treatment, advanced HIV care, and virtual interventions to reach those unaware of their HIV status.
“The collaboration has enabled early guidance and surveys on dual testing for COVID-19 and tuberculosis, allowing for improved detection of tuberculosis through innovations adopted during and after COVID-19.
“It has enhanced strategic initiatives on malaria and enabled accelerated progress towards malaria elimination.
“Since 2018, the WHO has certified eight countries as malaria-free with five more preparing for certification in 2023 and 2024.
“The partnership also provides the foundation to accelerate the implementation of innovative approaches, such as the new WHO insecticide-treated nets guidelines for malaria and the scale-up of new, shorter treatments for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
“The partnership has also led to the provision of valuable support in the development of 50 evidence-based and costed national strategic plans aligned to the latest WHO guidelines. The strategic plans served as a basis for high-quality funding requests to the Global Fund.”
(NAN)
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