The Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and the United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ms Mary Beth Leonard convened key stakeholders led by Ambassadors and High Commissioners of key donor and recipient countries to the Global Fund to mobilize political commitment for a successful 7th Global Fund Replenishment Conference. The meeting held on Thursday 8th September 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria and was attended by HE Emmanuelle Blatmann, the French Ambassador to Nigeria; HE Nelson Ocheger, the Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria; HE Kim Young Chae, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria; the Kenya High Commission Charge de Affairs, Mr Guyo Wario and representatives from the British High Commission, Embassy of Ireland, The High Commission of The Republic of South Africa and the Embassy of The Republic of Zimbabwe. Also present at the event were heads of Government departments, United States Government heads of agencies, the UNAIDS Country Director, the WHO Representative and Civil Society Organizations.
Speaking on behalf of the Hon. Minister of Health, the Minister of State for Health, Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama appreciated the Government of Nigeria partnership with the Global Fund that has spurred consistent progress in the coverage of interventions for prevention and treatment of HIV, TB and malaria and contributed to building resilient and sustainable systems for health. He recognized the importance of Nigeria to the Global Fund being consistently one of the largest investment portfolios in a single country since inception. He reiterated the Government of Nigeria commitment to the Fund having pledged up to USD 40 million and to progressive increment in domestic financing through the National Health Insurance Authority Act. He called on all donor countries to increase funds available to the Global Fund through the 7th Replenishment Conference, if the world is to get back on track in the fight against HIV, TB and Malaria. 'I applaud countries who have made their pledges including the United States, Germany, Japan and Luxemburg. I encourage other countries to rise up to this noble call by increasing their pledge by at least 30% to enable the Global Fund meet its target' he concluded.
Represented by the Charge De Affairs, Mr David Green, the United States Government commended the partnership with the Government of Nigeria that enabled incredible acceleration of HIV treatment coverage, registering the largest treatment growth in the history of the HIV program, despite the COVID 19 pandemic. This was made possible through national surge and alignment efforts that saw the aligning of technical and financial resources behind a single national program for intensified case-finding, allowing rapid expansion of access to antiretroviral treatment. 'Sustaining this success depends upon contributions to the Global Fund and all of us standing in solidarity to fight for what counts. We are close to the finish line, but with Nigeria still accounting for one out of seven children born globally with HIV, the race is not yet over' he emphasized.
Linda Mafu, Head of Political and Civil Society Advocacy at the Global Fund in her remarks, highlighted the importance of Nigeria to the Fund. 'Nigeria is one of our most important portfolios at the Global Fund and achievement of our ambitious targets is critical both for the health of the people of Nigeria and the ability of GF to raise additional funding and make an impact at the global level in saving lives' she said.
Above, from left: Jean-Thomas Nouboussin, Global Fund Country Portfolio Manager Nigeria, Dr Gambo Aliyu, Director General, National AIDS Control Agency (NACA), Dr Leopold Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director Nigeria, Ms Caroline Olowonde, Adviser GF,UNAIDS Nigeria, Ms Chrisite Laniyan, Project Director,FHI 360 and Prof Chimezie Anyakora, CEO Bloom Public Health during the 7th Global Fund Replenishment pre-conference in Abuja, Nigeria
Dr Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director reiterated the importance of the Global Fund in the collective global response to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and called on countries to stand in solidarity with the United States Government for a successful 7th Global Fund Replenishment. 'Investing in global health is not only the right thing to do but the smart thing to do as it guarantees good return of investments. Every $1 invested in fighting AIDS, TB and Malaria yields $31 in health and economic returns' he added.
The Global Fund investment case of the 7th Replenishment conference was presented, highlighting the achievements of the investments and the remaining gaps in reducing the burden of HIV, TB and Malaria. The 7th Global Fund Replenishment conference seeks to raise at least US$ 18 billion to save 20 million lives, reduce deaths associated with HIV, TB and Malaria by 65% and strengthen systems for health to build a healthier, more equitable world.
The Replenishment Conference will be hosted by President Joe Biden of the United States of America and will take place on the 19th of September 2022 on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly. The United States Government, Germany, Japan and Luxembourg have so far made pledges of 6 billion US dollars, 1.3 billion Euros, 1.08 billion US dollars and 11.7 million Euros respectively.
