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.

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For more information, visit http://www.africa-union.org. www.theglobalfund.org www.afdb.org

For furtherinformation contact

Yaye Nabo Sene I | Information and Communication Officer | African Union Commission I Phone +251115517700 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web www.au.int I
Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Tawanda Chisango I AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) Programme Advocacy & Partnership Expert | Social Affairs | African Union Commission I Mobile +251934167052 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web www.au.int I
Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

NejmudinKedir Bilal | Principal Health Economist |Human Development Department | African Development Bank | email: n.bilal@afdb.org | Tel: +216 7110 1652 | Tunis |Tunisia web www.afdb.org

NawsheenElaheebocus | Senior Human Development and Communications Officer | African Development Bank | email: n.elaheebocus@afdb.org | Tel: +216 7110 1224 |Tunis |Tunisia www.afdb.org

Ernest Waititu I Media Officer I Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria I email Ernest.Waititu@theglobalfund.org I Tel: +41 (0) 79 541 0656 I Geneva, Switzerland I Web http://www.theglobalfund.org

African Union The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

The Global Fundis an international financing institution dedicated to attracting and disbursing resources to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, TB and malaria. The Global Fund promotes partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities, the most effective way to help reach those in need. This innovative approach relies on country ownership and performance-based funding, meaning that people in countries implement their own programs based on their priorities and the Global Fund provides financing where verifiable results are achieved.

African Development BankThe African Development Bank (AfDB) spurs sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to poverty reduction through mobilising and allocating resources for investment in RMCs; andproviding policy advice and technical assistance to support development efforts.