KENYA – The Government of Kenya has pledged US$ 10 Million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference in an unprecedented show of global solidarity.
The Ministry of Health announced that the latest contribution is an increment of 40% from the amount the country pledged during the 6th Replenishment in 2019 towards the end of the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030.
“During the 6th Replenishment conference, the Republic of Kenya pledged US$6 million. Previously, during the 3rd, 4th and 5th Global Fund replenishment cycles, Kenya pledged and honored US$8,273, US$2M and US$5 million respectively,” the ministry said.
Before this year’s event, Kenya pledged her commitment to the Global Fund Kitty in support of President Joe Biden’s decision to host the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference in New York, United States of America.
During the Global Fund replenishment, Director of Public Health Dr. Francis Kuria noted that Kenya remains one of the main beneficiaries of grants.
He observed that the Global Fund has played a critical role in addressing HIV, TB, and Malaria along with strengthening Community and Health Systems in the country.
“Since 2002 the Global Fund has provided over US$1.8 billion to Kenya to supplement the Governments efforts in ending TB, HIV/AIDS and Malaria pandemics and more recently COVID-19 while strengthening the health and community systems,” Dr. Kuria said.
He pointed out that the funds have significantly contributed to the decline in the TB prevalence rates by 46%, reduction in the HIV death rates by 67% whilst increasing the number of people living with HIV on the lifesaving antiretroviral treatment to 83%
The Director of Public Health further said that the allocated financing has contributed to an overall reduction of infant and child mortality due to malaria from 30% in 2010, to 18% in 2021.
In addition, he urged the Global Fund to support Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa’s quest to establish resilient and sustainable systems for health centered on innovation, research & development and local manufacturing of health commodities.
“Self-reliance in essential and specialized health commodities will fast track the push towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage. In this regard, there is an emerging need to align national and development partners’ priorities in support of in the Global South,” Dr. Kuria concluded.
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