South Sudan secures $167M to combat HIV, TB, and Malaria

JUBA – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has greenlit a substantial sum of $167 million for South Sudan, aimed at bolstering the nation’s response to these three pervasive diseases.

Today, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the County Coordination Mechanism (CCM), HIV and AIDS Commission, UNDP, and UNICEF, convened under the auspices of Vice-President Hussein Abdelbagi to announce this significant milestone.

The signed Seventh Grant Cycle (GC7) seeks to fortify South Sudan’s efforts against HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria for the period spanning 2024 to 2026.

This allocation marks the largest contribution from the Global Fund to South Sudan since its independence in 2011.

In a detailed breakdown, the funds are apportioned as follows: $50.2 million for the HIV response, $53.3 million for Malaria, and $17 million for TB. Additionally, $23.5 million is earmarked for the Resilient and Sustainable System for Health (RSSH), while COVID-19 initiatives receive $23 million.

“In December 2023, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria confirmed the Seventh Grant Cycle (GC7) to consolidate gains and strengthen the national response to HIV, TB, and Malaria in South Sudan over the 2023-2026 period,” said the ministry of health and the partners in a statement.

The program’s objectives include a 25% reduction in HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 2026, along with diminishing discrimination and inequality faced by individuals living with HIV.

Vice President Abdelbagi expressed profound gratitude to the Global Fund for their steadfast commitment to global health, emphasizing the dire threat these diseases pose to public health, particularly to vulnerable communities.

Minister of Health, Yolanda Awel, emphasized the urgency of directing attention to regions like Greater Upper Nile and Bahr El Ghazal, where these diseases have inflicted devastating impacts. She underscored the need for more substantial resources to effectively combat the ailments, emphasizing that the current funding, though significant, falls short of the required amount.

Boniface Njenga, Senior Fund Portfolio Manager at the Global Fund, stressed the importance of the program in ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all individuals.