[afro-nets] GFATM Terminates Nigeria HIV Grants (2)

[Frank Baiden <fbaiden@hotmail.com>]

GFATM Terminates Nigeria HIV Grants (2)
---------------------------------------

Much as the Global Fund has right to determine who gets and who
does not get its support, it is important that it exercise this
right within the framework of established principles of the
process.

There are now a host of countries that have radically reformed
their health systems and policies either because of funds made
available by the Global Fund or promised by the fund.

The quantum of support made available or promised by the Global
Fund in some cases far excess the support that these programs
get from their own governments. In short, a dependency has been
created in most countries. And naturally, such dependency goes
all the way to the patient level.

A few examples: Change to Artemisinin-based combinations in over
five countries that come to mind, MTCT programs, ARV roll-out,
Change to FDC in TB management.

Most countries would not have considered these options, expen-
sive as some are, without the promised or delivered support of
the Global Fund.

In sum, the Fund is presently a major player in the health de-
livery system in many countries and it raises questions when it
takes the option of pulling out, rather too easily, it appears.

The Global Fund must be absolutely sure of the system of ac-
countability of its funds before entering the arena. If the sys-
tem proposed by the country would not put the Fund and its
agents in a position to intervene early in preventing abuse, it
would be better that the Fund did not go in!!

When the GF withdraws support and patients are asked to take
tablets once a day instead of twice daily, and resistant strains
begin to develop, who suffers? And this is happening!!

Fortunately, one can consider the GF as evolving and hopefully
soon, better approaches will evolve.

Frank Baiden
mailto:fbaiden@hotmail.com