On the 9th of October AfNHi (Africa Free of New HIV Infections) organized and facilitated a research ethics webinar that introduced AfNHi members to the principles of research ethics in Africa with an in-depth look into the role of community and advocates. The aim of this online training was to fast-track the biomedical HIV prevention research agenda so as to end the HIV epidemic in Africa.
With the awareness created from the comprehensive dive into demystifying clinical trials, this initiative allows AfNHi members to meaningfully engage with the research process and knowledgeably inform and mobilize communities, researchers or policy makers. Studies have shown that clinical research is more likely to succeed when all stakeholders regard the research as relevant and the process as collaborative.
These ongoing series of research ethics webinars will continue to ensure that AfNHi members are in a better position to appreciate and understand clinical trials, and apply these to support research through their engagements with stakeholders during the entire life-cycle of a biomedical HIV prevention trial, and beyond.
September 19th 2019! Francophone African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) joined forces and actively participated in a day of action set by GFAN AFRICA. Indeed, via the networks GFAN AFRICA & CS4ME, CSOs gathered the signatures of 110 CSOs colleagues from 14 francophone African countries on letters addressed to the Presidents of African countries, asking them to #stepupthefight and participate and contribute to the success of the replenishment of the Global Fund. Following the presidential letters, coordinated by Impact Santé Afrique, CSOs from Cameroon, Benin, Togo, Guinea, Gabon, Mali, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast held press conferences in their respective countries to push for increase of domestic contributions and highlight the importance of these funds for the end of the epidemics n of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Francophone African CSOs participate in a day of action
We thank all the CSOs and mainly the coordinators in each country (ROAFEM, APDSP, OFIF ,Affirmative Action, PHIIC, AJEP, Club des Amis du Monde, POSSaV, RACOj, FENOS CI , ASAPSU, Dimension Humaine, RMAP+, RENAPS AJ, POLICIS, ONEN, SongES, FARHAN, MVS, plate-forme DES-ICI) whose efforts have contributed certainty to Africa’s strong participation in the Lyon Conference for the first time, an unprecedented record was set: the historic contribution of 24 African countries!
On 23 July in Nairobi, Kenya, WACI Health and KANCO hosted CSOs from Kenya who were joined by GFAN Africa representatives from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Rwanda and Tanzania for a candid discussion on the 6th Replenishment of the Global Fund and Domestic Resources for Health. The event – a panel discussion by representatives of communities, youth, civil society, and embassy of France, the Global Fund and Government discussed Kenya’s health financing status and why the Global Fund is a worthwhile investment.
There was emphasis on the need for a successful 6th replenishment of The Global Fund because it is efficient and effective. In addition a successful replenishment will contribute to:
Reduce mortality from HIV, TB and malaria
Saving millions of lives
Reduce and avert new infections
Inaction will result in the loss of millions of lives and loss of gains made so far.
Participants thanked France for its leadership by offering to host the replenishment conference scheduled for 9 October 2019 in Lyon, France and for calling on other donors to step up their fight in order to ensure a successful replenishment.
France is a big investor in the Global Fund because the Fund’s work saves and improves lives. “Increasing funding for the replenishment of the Global Fund will move us to a better place in healthcare. Tax payers in France, sacrifice for others to improve their lives through better health’ Said Dr Pierre Bello – Health Advisor, Embassy of France. He added that Kenya has a strong political will for a successful UHC and must take advantage of the external funding opportunities, to build stronger and stable systems of healthcare.
Through the support of the Global Fund, Kenya has better healthcare – systems, disease interventions and programs for the most vulnerable populations. Support to Kenya reaches those who need it – communities. Grace Adego, a community health volunteer – a panelist expressed her gratitude for the free ARVs she receives.
Regina Ombam – the Deputy Director, HIV Investments National AIDS Control Council noted that Kenya is a lower middle income country so donor financing is gradually dwindling. There is need for increased allocation of domestic resources for health so that existing funding gaps do not grow bigger. She noted that the Government of Kenya is increasing health financing and giving healthcare more attention and focus.
Ms Obam challenged those present:
To think of the possibility of a replenishment conference for Kenya – with Kenya government & stakeholders, to discuss the health of Kenyans and how to fund it in future.
That civil society should keep government in check more vigorously
Civil society voices are needed to end corruption in public finance management systems and to push for more resources.
There should be emphasis of integration within Government to stop wastage while implementing healthcare interventions.
The private sector should play a bigger role in complementing healthcare financing.
The Government should consider entering into social contracts with major funders of health programmes
There should be focus on disease prevention
Ms Fahe Kerubo a young girl note that HIV interventions are commendable. However, infections among adolescent girls and young women remain unacceptably high. Increased funding for health should address this challenge. The youth must be prioritized and put at the center of the HIV response.
There was a rallying call for additional resources for health from donors and the Government of Kenya and other implementing countries. The need for preventing healthcare was emphasized. Increased focus on health will lead towards a successful UHC and progress towards SDG3 on the health and wellbeing of all.
On 19th September, 2019 Global Fund Advocates Network in Africa (GFAN_Africa ) in collaboration with WACI Health organized a day of advocacy dubbed Day of Action for African Governments. Members of the Network delivered letters to Presidents of African Countries asking them to contribute to the 6th replenishment of the Global Fund and to allocate additional domestic resources for health.
Some of the letters which were delivered to Presidents
The replenishment conference will take place on 9 October in Lyon, France and seeks to raise at least 14 billion to be able to #getbackontrack to defeat HIV, Tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. These resources will help save 16 million lives, cut the mortality rate from HIV, TB and malaria by half, and build stronger health systems by 2023. Further, resources for health will contribute to achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3 on the health and wellbeing of all.
The ambitious target to eradicate the three epidemics in Africa can only be achieved if there is greater government ownership in ensuring that their countries fund programs and meet their national target in the global progress to eliminate the diseases to sustain gains made so far and make further progress.
GFAN Africa members in the following countries delivered letters to their presidents with copies to the Ministers for Finance, Ministers for Health and parliamentary committees for health and budget – Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Nigeria, Eswatini, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Congo and Ghana.
#teamCameroon after they delivered the letterSylla from GFAN Africa in Guinée speaks to the media on domestic resources for health
On 5 September 2019, at the Zeitz Mocaa in Cape Town, GFAN Africa and WACI Health joined in an event organized by The Global Fund and Goodbye Malaria titled; Step up The Fight: How African Private Sector Will Help End AIDS, TB and Malaria by 2030.
After years of remarkable progress in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, new threats have slowed progress and enabled the diseases to gain ground. With its capacity for innovation and collaboration, private sector in Africa plays a crucial role in stepping up the fight to end these epidemics.
The high-level event, also attended by South Africa’s and Namibia’s Ministers for Health, emphasized the important role of partnerships with the private sector in ending HIV, TB and malaria as epidemics and driving impact and economic growth. Partnerships enable different actors work on a common vision to achieve high impact. Critical partnerships do break barriers.
Carol Kachenga of GFAN Africa speaks in the panel session
In his remarks, the executive director of the Global Fund Peter Sands emphasized that we must Step Up the fight or slip back. He added “The Global Fund is about collaboration, innovation, data driven execution and resources”.
Noting that health is a human rights issue, panelists posited that for sustainable healthcare, the right product must be available at the right place at the right time to the right people so as to achieve desired health outcomes. Private sector energy is needed to eliminate malaria and indeed, the three diseases. As a result of partnerships, the Coca Cola distribution model which reaches far and wide is being used to deliver medication to far flung areas.
Panelists pose for a photo with Peter Sands
At the event, Goodbye Malaria, which is supported by Nandos, an international restaurant group founded in South Africa, as well as other corporate partners, pledged R85 million (about US$5.5 million) to The Global Fund to expand a grant that aims to eliminate cross-border malaria transmission in Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini. Project Last Mile, GBCHealth and Zenysis Technologies announced in-kind support and co-investments to increase the effectiveness of health programs through innovations. Africa Health Business pledged to support the mobilization of African business. These co-investments will total more than US$23 million.
These events will also contribute to achieving UHC and SDG3 on the health and wellbeing of all.
On 22nd of September 2019 in New York, on the side lines of the High Level Meeting on Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC), WACI Health, Rwanda NGOs Forum, IMRO, GFAN Africa and The Global Fund organized an engaging panel discussion themed: ‘Domestic Resource Mobilization and sustainable Health Financing in Africa’
This side event joined in the worldwide discussions on achieving sustainable financing for UHC in Africa through increased domestic resources for health.
Participants of the side event follow conversations
External resources can support as well as be leveraged to increase domestic financing. According to the 2019 Investment Case for the Global Fund, a successful 6th replenishment of the Global Fund will spur US $46bn in domestic resources from implementing countries towards ending HIV, TB and malaria as epidemics, as well as strengthening health systems. It is critical that African Governments leverage this window of opportunity by supporting the replenishment and also by stepping up their direct investments into health programs.
Ms Rosemary Mburu (WACI Health) moderates the panel discussion
Panellists discussed the status of domestic resource mobilization for UHC in Africa. Africa’s leaders have in the past shown understanding on the importance of self-reliance through DRM as the primary source of development financing and demonstrated the will to improve the health of its populations (Agenda 2063, Africa Leadership Meeting). Commendably, African Union member states have increased the percentage of their government budget allocations for health, only seven AU states have reached the recommended 5% of GDP to health (2019 Africa Scorecard on Domestic Financing for Health). This is a clear indication that the continent has not moved sufficiently towards sustainability in health financing and as such Africa remains far behind the target it has set for itself of investing US$86.30 per capita, 5% of GDP and 15% of the government budget in health.
On the side lines of the HLM, GFAN Africa met France’s Global Health Ambassador Ms Stephanie Seydoux. The team had cordial discussions on GFAN Africa’s mobilization works for a successful 6th replenishment of the Global Fund.
Left to right Ms Stephanie Seydoux, Evaline Kibuchi, Cecilia Senoo & Nooliet Kabanyana on the side lines of the HLM
Still, while in New York, GFAN Africa, WACI Health, Section 27 joined other partners in health in a protest against the removal of progressive language from the political declaration.
Sizwe Nombasa joins in a protest in New York
The UHC HLM brought together for the very first time, Heads of State and Governments, representatives of States and Governments, Civil Society, Foundations and Private Sector to re-affirm their commitment to achieve UHC and agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
On 18 June 2019, together with WACI Health, GFAN Africa met Dr Tamu Daniels the Country Coordinator of PEPFAR in Kenya and to Dr Dan Koros the Global Fund Liaison and presented to them a letter urging the US to make an early & increased pledged for a successful 6th replenishment of the Global Fund to save 16 million lives over the next three years.
WACI Health & GFAN Africa meet with PEPFAR | June 22 2019
On 18 June 2019, together with WACI Health, GFAN Africa met Dr Tamu Daniels the Country Coordinator of PEPFAR in Kenya and to Dr Dan Koros the Global Fund Liaison and presented to them a letter urging the US to make an early & increased pledged for a successful 6th replenishment of the Global Fund to save 16 million lives over the next three years.
In a brief and extremely cordial conversation, Dr Tamu emphasized that the US Government is deeply committed health in Kenya. This is visible in the huge investment of millions of dollars which have improved access to affordable and quality healthcare for millions of citizens.
She added that the focus on health is long-term with a vision of achieving SDG 3 on the health and wellbeing for all by 2030.
Together with WACI Health and AHF Kenya, GFAN Africa visited the Embassy of Japan in Kenya, met His Excellency Ambassador Ryoichi Horie and thanked him for Japan’s early & increased pledge of $840 million for the 6th replenishment of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Explaining that the contribution by Japan will save millions of lives, Dr Kinyanjui the Executive Director of AHF Kenya said that Japan is commendable for global health leaderships. This contribution will help save 16 million lives and get us closer to achieving SDG3 on the health and wellbeing of all.
H E Ambassador Horie re-stated Japan’s interest and commitment to global health adding that Japan collaborates with the Government of Kenya and countries in the region in health. He mentioned that health will be one of the areas of focus during the upcoming TICAD 7 meeting in Yokohama on 28th August 2019.
On 5 September 2019, at the Zeitz Mocaa in Cape Town, GFAN Africa and WACI Health joined in an event organized by The Global Fund and Goodbye Malaria titled; Step up The Fight: How African Private Sector Will Help End AIDS, TB and Malaria by 2030.
After years of remarkable progress in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, new threats have slowed progress and enabled the diseases to gain ground. With its capacity for innovation and collaboration, private sector in Africa plays a crucial role in stepping up the fight to end these epidemics.
Carol Kachenga of GFAN Africa speaks in the panel session
The high-level event, also attended by South Africa’s and Namibia’s Ministers for Health, emphasized the important role of partnerships with the private sector in ending HIV, TB and malaria as epidemics and driving impact and economic growth. Partnerships enable different actors work on a common vision to achieve high impact. Critical partnerships do break barriers.
In his remarks, the executive director of the Global Fund Peter Sands emphasized that we must Step Up the fight or slip back. He added “The Global Fund is about collaboration, innovation, data driven execution and resources”.
Noting that health is a human rights issue, panelists posited that for sustainable healthcare, the right product must be available at the right place at the right time to the right people so as to achieve desired health outcomes. Private sector energy is needed to eliminate malaria and indeed, the three diseases. As a result of partnerships, the Coca Cola distribution model which reaches far and wide is being used to deliver medication to far flung areas.
Panelists pose for a photo with Peter Sands
At the event, Goodbye Malaria, which is supported by Nandos, an international restaurant group founded in South Africa, as well as other corporate partners, pledged R85 million (about US$5.5 million) to The Global Fund to expand a grant that aims to eliminate cross-border malaria transmission in Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini. Project Last Mile, GBCHealth and Zenysis Technologies announced in-kind support and co-investments to increase the effectiveness of health programs through innovations. Africa Health Business pledged to support the mobilization of African business. These co-investments will total more than US$23 million.
These events will also contribute to achieving UHC and SDG3 on the health and wellbeing of all.
On 4 September, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum for Africa, WACI Health, GFAN Africa, the Global Fund and partners in South Africa hosted young women from South Africa who and had conversations with experts on empowering young women. Young women must overcome barriers that hold them back and increase their vulnerability to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. Only when they are empowered can they #stepupthefight so that we #getbackontrack.
In the format of panel discussions and a world café, discussants beamed the spotlight on the status of young women and HIV in Africa, stepping up opportunities for young women at the work place and increasing young women’s access to business, work, and education opportunities.
There were discussions on the vulnerabilities of young women towards HIV; the grim situation in the years when there was no treatment, and the progress made so far, especially with support from the Global Fund. Investments by the Global Fund have saved 27 million lives since 2002. HIV treatment is available for free, and there are innovative collaborations with the private sector to ensure access to treatment. Linda Mafu the Head of Civil Society and Political Advocacy at the Global Fund noted “days are gone when meetings started with candle lit moments of silence because a person we knew had died of AIDS”. Representatives of SANAC and UNAIDS participating in the meeting were urged to ensure that young women are always at the table where decisions on HIV touching on them are made.
Economic empowerment of young women – For young women who need to find their way to into the work place, there were discussions on how to stand out as employees “you must have very strong work ethics, have realistic expectations, ensure social media decorum and prove your competence daily” advised Ncumisa Khoali, Human Resources and Administration Manager at TrakerSA
Young women interested in being entrepreneurs were advised that they must be seek financial and non-financial support – mental and spiritual support, physical support and to avoid short cuts. At the forum, the young women got opportunities for psycho social support, business support, employment and training on personal development.
