Global Fund grants Kenya Sh5 billion to fight Aids, malaria

Business

By ELIZABETH MWAI

The Global Fund has released Sh5 billion to help Kenya step up its fight against HIV/Aids and malaria.

This is part of the round seven HIV and Aids monies, of which the Government has been given Sh1.4 billion ($18,343,450) and Care International acting on behalf of civil societies Sh523 million ($6543,422).

Public Health Minister Beth Mugo said on Tuesday the Sh3.1 billion ($39,084,205) awarded to fight malaria is part of round four grants.

"I welcome this initiative by the Global Fund and I know that we will deliver," said Mugo.

Happy with Kenya

Speaking at a ministry function, she dismissed talk that the Global Fund managers were unhappy with Kenya, citing the release of the monies as a true pointer to their continued support.

Health critics have expressed concern over the slow disbursement of Global Fund monies and warned that the donors were getting tired of intervening to resolve crisis regarding the handling and distribution of the fund to stakeholders.

Earlier, the Government was forced to return part of round two funds for failure to finish the monies allocated to it within the required time limit.

"There has been a lot of talk that we were not getting anymore support, but it is clear from this that we have the full support of the Global Fund," said Mugo.

The minister pledged to continue implementing programmes to stop the spread of HIV and malaria.

An estimated 100,000 new HIV cases are reported annually, while malaria kills about 34,000 people.

Leading causes of death

The two diseases are the leading causes of death although the introduction of lifesaving anti-retroviral drugs for HIV has reduced deaths amongst HIV and Aids patients. 

Dr Willis Akhwale, the Public Health head of disease control, said tuberculosis was not given any money in this allocation.

Akhwale said money for TB had earlier this year been released to the ministry.

He disclosed that the Government submitted its proposal for round 10 about two weeks ago narrowly beating the deadline for application set for August 31.

Kenya is this time hopeful of receiving the grant after having missed out on rounds eight and nine due to weak proposals.

However, an attempt by the Government to appeal did not succeed.

Last month, a team from the Office of Inspector General was in the country to audit the use of the monies since 2002.

The team of six was to compile a report of the assessment within Government and civil society who received their financial support.

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