MEDIA RELEASE

African Health and Finance Ministers pledge to increase domestic spending on health

Addis Ababa, 12 November, 2013- Ahead of the Global Fund replenishment meeting in December this year, African health ministers, civil society organisations and development partners met to find a pathway for accelerating domestic funding for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The Global Fund estimates that US$ 87 billion will be required from 2014 to 2016 to reach all vulnerable populations in low and middle-income countries with essential services to bring AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria under control. Of the amount, the Global Fund estimates that US$ 37 billion can come from domestic financing.

“Financial resources are a crucial input for provision of adequate and quality health services,” said Dr. Kesetebirhan Admasu, the Minister of Health for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia”. “However, the ever increasing cost of health care and multiple competing priorities in resource poor countries makes financial resources insufficient to make substantial improvements in access and quality of health care”, he added.

Over the last decade, tremendous progress has been made against AIDS, TB and malaria, achieving an impact that was unthinkable at the turn of the millennium. This achievement has been the result of the hard work of governments, health care providers, and communities including persons affected by the diseases, faith-based organisations and the private sector all over the world. The resources committed by domestic and external sources have been fundamental to the progress achieved so far.

“Increased domestic spending on health will be pivotal in helping us defeat HIV, TB and malaria”, said Dr. Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. “We are tremendously encouraged by the efforts African countries are making in this regard and will support them strongly”.

With sufficient funding an unprecedented opportunity exists to turn the tide against these three deadly epidemics. Defeating the diseases would be transformative for Africa and the world. It is a fact that many African countries recognise and want to be part of.

Since its establishment in 2002 the Global Fund has provided a coordinated international response to three devastating epidemics to empower countries with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to turn the tide. It has made significant impact, saving more than 9 million lives. With advances in science, better implementation and increased investments, the Global Fund has identified an historic opportunity to completely control the three diseases, removing them as threats to public health.