Global Fund gives K132m for ongoing malaria fight

THE Health Department has signed an agreement with Geneva-based Global Fund for a K132 million grant to continue its fight against malaria.
The grant was the largest funding commitment ever by Global Fund for malaria under the current PNG programme to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The agreement was signed yesterday at the department’s headquarters at Aopi Centre by Health Secretary Dr Clement Malau and the chairperson for PNG country and coordinator for the Global Fund programme, Lady Roslyn Morauta.
Population Services International (PSI) country representative Cynde Robinson and Rotary Against Malaria vice-chairman Rio Fiocco also made their commitment in helping the department roll out new programmes under the national malaria strategic plan by signing the partnership agreement.
The actual grant amounts to K132,723,765.
“The grant agreement covers the next two years and represents phase one of the US$146.6 million approved for Papua New Guinea by the Global Fund board for the next five years under the round eight grants,” Lady Roslyn said.
She said Global Fund’s decision to grant this money was through the successful implementation of malaria programmes and also to create a basis to increase funding for other PNG health programmes like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
“This is the second grant that we have received for malaria programmes.
“The Health Department was the only recipient of Global Fund grants although many agencies received funding as sub-recipients of the department,” Lady Roslyn said, adding that the grant agreement signed yesterday initiated new public-private partnership in implementation of a major national disease strategy.
“With the support from Global Fund we are expecting to see successful outcome on malaria programmes and hoping also that the funds would be used effectively to strengthen the health systems,” Dr Malau said.