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CategoriesGFAN Africa
byWACI Health Secretariat

COMMUNITIES AND CIVIL SOCIETIES CONVENE IN SUPPORT OF THE GLOBAL FUND 7th REPLENISHMENT

Over 20 years of the existence of the Global Fund partnership, the world’s largest multilateral investor in grants for systems for health, communities and civil society has made extraordinary progress in the fight against HIV, TB, and Malaria. The Global Fund Advocates network in Africa hosted pre-preparatory meetings of the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment 2024-2026 on the 21st and 22nd of February 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Communities and civil society partners from Africa and the world convened to reflect on the status of HIV, TB, Malaria, and health systems in the region, see how the 20 years of Global Fund being in existence have impacted lives, and look at prospects for health financing in Africa. Other agendas of the meeting included discussing Global Fund’s seventh replenishment preparatory meeting and key messaging, as well as discussing strategies and key actions to take forward, leading up to the replenishment.

 

According to the Results 2021 report, as of 2020 over 44 million lives have been saved, with 219 million people on antiretroviral therapy for HIV, 4.7 million people received TB treatment and 188 million mosquito nets were distributed in 2020. In the report, there was a clear decrease in case finding and preventive services across all 3 epidemics responses due to COVID-19. COVID-19 is threatening the progress made so far on the journey of epidemic control. It has had such a huge impact on the three diseases, and as a result disrupted crucial health services, such as testing, and access to treatment services, and commodities. This has placed the countries at risk of increasing their incidence rate. Trends indicate that services are progressively resuming but we must significantly increase our effort to regain progress lost in 2020 and get back on track to ending the three pandemics by 2030.

Despite the interruptions caused by COVID-19, both civil society and communities concurred that now more than ever, Governments need to increase their allocations for health and consequently their pledges and contributions to the Global Fund. The 6th Global Fund replenishment had presented an unprecedented and bold ask of USD $14 Billion as the world’s health security needs more funds to prevent future interruptions by pandemics.

Prospects for sustainable health financing in Africa rely heavily on Increased domestic resources for health by governments to enhance resilient health systems and invest in health research development and innovation while working with government, the civil society and communities. Countries were strongly encouraged to strengthen attention to sustainability in their national planning and program design with support from the Global Fund and partners as necessary.

Some of the major discussion points in the meeting were: How Global Fund can better work with communities and civil society organizations, how different stakeholders such as policy makers and young people can participate and be engaged in 7th replenishment advocacy to ensure a successful replenishment. These key messages, strategies and tactics developed would be used in the lead up to the replenishment conference.

The discussions also highlighted the need for countries to honor pledges. Amongst the issues concluded were, strategies on how to encourage countries that pledge, and honor their pledges to continue donating, and advocate for countries that pledge, and have a history of not honoring their pledges to do so.

In the Lead up to the Global Fund 7th Replenishment, communities and civil society proudly and loudly stand boldly with the Global Fund in asking for USD $18 Billion to fast track the fight to end HIV, TB and Malaria in the context of COVID-19 and future pandemics.

 

Written by Elizabeth Wangui & WACI Health

ENDS

CategoriesGFF We Want
byWACI Health Secretariat

The GFF We Want & Love

The GFF We Want & Love

Tackling the greatest health and nutrition issues affecting women, children, and adolescents

      Helping to mobilize local resources to ensure sustainability and local ownership

            Empowering communities to strengthen their health systems by funneling resources to countries

 

Going the extra mile to resource CSOs & youth to drive critical action around healthcare and equality

Fighting to contain the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic and to reclaim the gains

Focusing on driving country-specific priorities to strengthen health systems

 

Working to increase countries’ ability to thrive in the global economy

Ensuring that women and girls are empowered as leaders whose voices are considered

 

Working with CSOs to facilitate local monitoring and accountability for mobilized funds

Advocating for domestic and international resource mobilization for RMNCAH+N

Not leaving anyone behind

                     That is the GFF We Want and Love!

CategoriesGFAN Africa
byWACI Health Secretariat

Preparatory Meeting of the Seventh Replenishment of the Global Fund

Civil Society for Malaria Elimination (CS4ME), Global Fund Advocates Network Africa (GFAN Africa),
Global Fund Advocates Network Asia-Pacific (GFAN AP), along with communities and civil society living
with, affected by and vulnerable to HIV, TB and malaria extends our heartiest congratulations to their
Excellencies, the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic
of Rwanda, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Africa for hosting the Preparatory
Meeting of the Seventh Replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
(Global Fund).
The Global Fund Seventh Replenishment Preparatory Meeting which will take place on the 23rd and
24th of February 2022, marks an important milestone in the Replenishment cycle of the Global Fund
with the launching of the Investment Case. Following the first time a Preparatory Meeting was hosted
by an implementing country, the Republic of India, for the Sixth Replenishment in 2019, this will be

the first time in the 20 years history of the Global Fund whereby five implementing countries are co-
hosting the Preparatory Meeting – a clear indication of the crucial role played by implementing

countries and the support towards the Global Fund even as we continue in our fight against HIV, TB
and malaria as epidemics amidst COVID-19.

The Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN) in its “Fully Fund the Global Fund: Get Back on Track to
End AIDS, TB and Malaria in a COVID World” report estimates that to close the gaps and get back on
track the HIV, TB and Malaria responses, the Global Fund will need at least USD 28.5 billion for the
period 2023-2025, which includes USD 1.5 billion to support community-led programmes that are the
foundation of success.
Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, national and global HIV, TB and malaria investments and
responses were not on track to achieve 2030 targets. The pandemic exacerbated the situation by
diverting limited resources and disrupted the access to and provision of health services across the
world, threatening to reverse the hard-earned gains achieved against the three diseases. Between
April and September 2020, compared to the same six-month period in 2019, HIV testing fell by 41%;
TB referrals declined by 59%; and malaria diagnoses fell by 31%. The effects if not urgently and
adequately addressed, will push the three responses off track and will prevent us from achieving 2030
targets.

The decisive responses of the Global Fund to COVID-19, through its 5% Grant Flexibilities and COVID-
19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) initiatives, ensured that implementing countries including low- and

lower-middle income nations are supported to not only fight COVID-19 but also to protect progress
against HIV, TB and malaria. In the face of the worst health emergency in recent world history,
community systems supported and strengthened by the Global Fund over the past 20 years proved
their indispensability by linking key and vulnerable populations to HIV, TB and malaria services during
lockdowns and curfews and ensuring continued services, preventing disruptions.
The collaborative hosting of the Global Fund Seventh Replenishment by Global Fund implementing
countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Africa is a strong call for all stakeholders of the Global
Fund to rally towards a successful Seventh Replenishment to fight the three diseases, support
community-led programmes that are the foundation of success, achieve Universal Health Coverage
(UHC) for key and vulnerable populations, protect and promote human rights and gender equality,
and create resilient and sustainable systems for health.
CS4ME, GFAN Africa, and GFAN AP, along with communities and civil society from our regions express
our full support to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda,
the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Africa and the Global Fund for a successful Seventh
Replenishment Preparatory Meeting and urge all donors and stakeholders to join forces to contribute
to this global cause because…

CategoriesRun4TB
byWACI Health Secretariat

Invest in TB. Save Lives

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease. About a quarter of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Consequently, a proportion of 5-10% of the 2 billion people will develop TB in their lifetime, with increased probability among people living with HIV and among people affected by risk factors such as undernutrition, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption. However, TB is treatable and curable and it is projected that with adequate programming and funding for TB, it is possible to end the killer disease by 2030. Despite this, the current trends in achieving the milestones remain quite wanting.

In the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic, the TB response suffered devastating effects and recording a loss in progress for the first time in 20 years. It was reported by the Global Fund that there was an 18% drop in the number of people treated for TB in 2020. The same trend can be seen across other programmatic areas. The data was evaluated against 2019 results. The most immediate effect of the huge decline in the number of people diagnosed with TB was an increase in the number of people who died on TB in 2020.

Inadequate financing for TB remains the biggest barrier to achieving the targets to End TB by 2030, as highlighted in the Global End TB milestones which were developed during the 2018 United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB. At the meeting, world leaders pledged to deliver at least US$2 billion annually for TB research, of which US$550 million was assigned for vaccines. Despite these commitments, there is an annual shortfall for TB research funding of US$1.3 billion. This has been exacerbated by the pandemic as the limited financing that was available was stretched to its limits.

“Never waste a good crisis” has been the post pandemic rallying call as we look to take lessons from the COVID 19 pandemic response and use them to ensure that END TB goals are met. Key among the lessons learnt is the need for adequate mobilization of funding to develop new TB vaccines as the current Vaccine in use was developed 100 years ago and has severe treatment limitations.

It is clear that the only way out is through. We can only end the pandemics if we invest in ending them and invest more than we ever have. To make progress in reducing the burden of tuberculosis disease, there needs to be adequate and sustainable funding for TB diagnosis, treatment, prevention, research, development and innovations globally and nationally. Adequate funding can be achieved through ensuring a fully funded the Global fund to End HIV TB and Malaria and through increased allocation of domestic resources for health for National TB response including funding for TB research development and innovation.

2022 presents a great opportunity to re commit to the national and global collective efforts of ending TB through pledging increased contributions to the Global Fund. A bold and necessary step towards ensuring reversal of the gains lost in the pandemic and to accelerate our progress towards ending TB by 2030.

The WHO World TB Day Theme, “Invest to End TB. Save Lives” is a timely reminder that to prevent the loss of lives to a preventable and curable disease we need to invest more to End

CategoriesGFAN Africa
byWACI Health Secretariat

The Seventh Replenishment

GFAN Africa and Global Fund are working together to ensure successful 7 th Replenishment of
the Global Fund as 2022 is the Replenishment year for the period 2023-2025. These are in
support of President Joe Biden's decision to host the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment
Conference in the United States in the second half of 2022. The Conference, held every three
years, convenes leaders from governments, civil society, the private sector and communities
affected by the three most devastating infectious diseases.
Global Fund is co-hosting the Preparatory Meeting with their Excellency’s the Presidents of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the
Republic of Senegal and the Republic of South Africa, virtually on the 23-24 th of February 2022
from 1:00 to 4:00 PM CET.
The Preparatory Meeting will bring the Global Fund partnership together to review its 20 years
of impact and lay the groundwork for its Seventh Replenishment. It will provide the opportunity
for governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society, multilateral and bilateral
agencies, private foundations, the private sector, and affected communities to discuss what it will
take to achieve the vision of a world free of HIV, TB, and malaria. Participants will also discuss
how the partnership can contribute to making the world better prepared to face future pandemics.
The Seventh Replenishment Investment Case will be launched at this meeting.
GFAN Africa will host a series of Civil Society Pre-Preparatory Meetings, which will bring
Global Fund advocates together to reflect on 20 years of impact, review the Seventh
Replenishment Investment Case, discuss messages, and plan of action. The Civil Society Pre-
Preparatory sessions will be held on 21&22 nd of February as a hybrid meeting in Nairobi-Kenya.
Provision is made for an Africa Civil Society organizations meeting to hold National Meetings
between 16-18 th of February in 5 co-hosting countries. This will provide the opportunity for
communities and civil society in these countries to reflect on the Global Fund’s 20 years of
impact, plan and support country activities, and briefing on the Seventh Replenishment and firm
up campaign plan/strategy.

CategoriesWACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

COVID 19 AND LACK OF FUNDING NEGATING GAINS HIV PROGRESS

Stakeholders have warned that COVID 19 disruptions are likely to set back efforts made in curbing HIV infections back to ten years or more. According to UNAIDS’ new report released in July 2020, while securing antiretroviral therapy has been steadily improving, the progress is inequitable. In its report, Seizing the moment, the World Bank warns that if we don’t act, even the gains made will be lost. To reach the Millions still left behind, nations must double down and work with more urgency.

Unequal progress

Prevention of new HIV infections in Africa is far behind the rest of the world. Nearly two million people were newly infected with the virus, more than three times the global target. Seizing the moment report shows unequal progress, leaving behind vulnerable people and populations. For example, infected key populations such as gay men and their partners, men who have sex with men, sex workers, drug users and people in prison, accounted for 62 per cent of these new HIV infections. Women and girls from marginalised communities face barriers to accessing reproductive health services, especially contraception and HIV services. Those living with HIV/AIDS face stigma. A total of 59 per cent of all new HIV infections in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2019 were among women and girls, with 4500 girls and young women between 15 and 24 years old becoming infected every week. Thus, a growing number of young women are getting HIV infection, despite only making up 10 per cent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa.

Exclusion, stigma and discrimination

Social inequity and exclusion, stigma and discrimination have proven to be significant obstacles in curbing the new HIV infections. At least 82 countries criminalise HIV transmission, exposure, or non-disclosure, 103 criminalise sex work, and 108 criminalise the use, possession, or consumption of HIV related drugs.

 

Progress in targets

There is, however, a significant reduction in HIV transmission levels where comprehensive HIV services are provided. In addition, combining proactive medical practices with social and economic support for young women in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa has narrowed inequality gaps and driven down the incidence of new HIV infections. Fourteen countries have achieved the 90–90–90 HIV treatment targets (90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, of whom 90% are on antiretroviral treatment and of whom 90% are virally suppressed), including Eswatini, which has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, at 27% in 2019, and which has now surpassed the targets to achieve 95–95–95. The expansion of antiretroviral therapy has saved countless lives.

 

However, in 2019, 690 000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses 2019, and 12.6 million of the 38 million people living with HIV did not receive life-saving treatment. Although progress has been made, it is masking the lack of progress and challenges that continue to persist, threatening the progress made during the past decade, with tragic consequences for people’s lives, economies, and health security. Again, Sub-Saharan Africa is most affected.

 

A case for biomedical research

Reducing new HIV infections need to be a deliberate act in Africa. It is imperative that the locally tailored, evidence-based, and community-owned programs be tailored to sustainably reduce new HIV infections.

In the just-concluded 5th Biomedical HIV Prevention Forum (BHPF) hosted virtually in South Africa which focused on Financing of HIV Prevention Research in Africa, findings revealed that most countries did not have funding for biomedical research, and where research happened, it was mostly donor-driven.

To achieve Africa free of New HIV infections (AfNHi)’s vision of ending new HIV infections in Africa, the BHPF aims at mobilizing scientific knowledge and building bridges between science and policy. In addition to mapping potential for collaborative national and regional activities within the AfNHi network, the forum looks to strengthen connections between policy and research through information exchange with HIV prevention advocates.

 

Reporting on the state of funding biomedical research in Africa, Dr Caleb Mulongo, in his research findings based on four countries; Kenya, Rwanda, Eswatini and Malawi noted that none of the four countries met the recommended allocation of two per cent of a country’s domestic budget to biomedical research.

 

While the Abuja Declaration targets that 15 per cent of the national budget be allocated to the health docket, none of the four studied countries (Kenya, Rwanda Eswatini and Malawi) met the target. The highest was Malawi with 11.5 per cent, with Kenya reporting the lowest allocation at less than seven per cent. Rwanda allocated about eight per cent while Eswatini allocated about nine per cent of their national budget to health.

When it comes to research allocation, Malawi set aside 1.06 per cent, which was the highest allocation from the studied countries. Eswatini had the least allocation, at 0.3 per cent.  Kenya allocated 0.79 per cent while Rwanda 0.27 per cent. It is evident low allocation in the health sector which is not adequate to support quality and universal coverage of health means there is very little if any funding to allocate to biomedical research.

More than underfunding

The mini-BHPF conferences held in Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire, presented during the main BHPF forum had similar findings, that their respective countries had not prioritized biomedical research for preventing new HIV infections. More challenges beyond funding were nevertheless noted. There was a lack of expertise in writing proposals, those in charge do not know how to bind for funds to support their activities and where research was conducted, it was noted that because it was donor-driven, it did not particularly priorities local issues, but rather ran with the donors’ agenda.

 

Own the process

A challenge has been thrown to African governments to invest more in biomedical research for HIV prevention funding, as well as invest in making sure systems are in place for translating findings into actions. A case of Malawi was noted, whose National Research Council of Malawi (NRCM) is domiciled in the Office of the President. This positioning is thought to be responsible for the higher allocations in the Health docket, hence elevating research as a national priority.

 

Other stakeholders including advocates for change, Civil Society and communities, Researchers and Front-line providers were called upon to keep the momentum for biomedical research HIV prevention funding, by pushing for better allocations of funds, elevating the discussion to the national level where policymakers sit and as well as information sharing across the countries.

CategoriesWACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

Speeding up Investments in Research and Development to Meet Public Health Needs

For over a decade, advocates for HIV prevention research have called for stronger political will and global solidarity towards a preventive vaccine and other prevention tools for HIV. COVID-19 has demonstrated how political will can help accelerate scientific breakthroughs. The COVID-19 vaccine is a case in point: science, political will and global solidarity came together to find a tool that has helped protect millions and could protect billions if inequitable access issues are addressed.

As advocates call for action, it’s clear that greater domestic investment in health research and development (R&D) will be critical for improving health, equity and development. However, despite a disproportionately high burden of disease, Africa still lags in health R&D to address the region’s health challenges. We attribute this in large part to inadequate funding among other factors.

A recent publication, ‘Situation analysis report on the mobilization of resources for health research and development’, commissioned by Africa Free of New HIV Infections (AfNHi), WACI Health and Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR), examines the financing problem of health R&D in Africa. It reports on progress but finds efforts have fallen gravely short of the target, with serious implications. This report comes at an opportune time, as COVID-19 puts a spotlight on the importance of health R&D and the need for greater domestic leadership and international commitment.

Accounting for over 15 percent of the world’s population, the continent bears 25 percent of the burden of disease at the global level, produces only 2 percent of the world’s research and only accounts for 1.3 percent of publications on global health. As explored in the report, regional commitments have been made to increase government spending on health R&D. For instance, the 2008 Bamako declaration calls on African governments to allocate at least 2 percent of budgets of ministries of health to research. Similarly, the 2008 Algiers Declaration calls on African governments to invest at least 2 percent of their national health expenditures and at least 5 percent of their external aid in projects and programs that build capacity and advance health research. However, despite such commitments, such investment remains gravely low in Africa.

Source: Simpkins (2019); Analysis by AfNHi Consultant

Based on the map above, domestic funding is inadequate for sustained and impactful research in health as most governments are investing less than 2 percent of their GDP, yet several health problems demand more investigation, arising from specific conditions, such as HIV, Malaria, challenges to maternal health, that are so widespread that they undermine public health at large.

Financing for health, especially R&D, relies heavily on foreign aid. This presents opportunities and challenges. Foreign aid brings skills, technology transfer, infrastructure for research and other resources. But the challenges are important to consider. Foreign aid can put funder research priorities ahead of host country priorities. Foreign aid can also be tied to a lack of local ownership, exploitative research partnerships, focus on publications vs. investing in the capacity for sustained research and development, and undermining the independence and success of innovative domestic research institutions. In some countries where governments have committed significant investment for health R&D, it’s often not financial, and often not useful. For financial investments, for instance, in 2017, the SciDev.Net reported that Uganda committed 30 billion Uganda Shillings (about USD 9Million) to support innovation and technology, and the first round of grants would be given mostly to individuals who had products in place. But critical voices point out that giving these funds to individuals rather than institutions undermine efforts to develop a sustainable ecosystem for innovation, one that supports individuals and a system that nurtures them.

Some of the sharpest criticism among African scientists, ministers, advocates and other observers say research in Africa too often can be experienced by African scientists as extractive, a ‘slave model’, where foreign funders reap the benefit of African intellectual labour but leave behind few benefits for ordinary Africans. Researchers are sustained by their own governments to continue their work with salaries and operational costs. Those same researchers advance proposals to foreign donors, often in consortia, and may individually benefit from publications, promotion, peer recognition and presentations at international conferences. But the true impact of their labour—the field advances with new tools, products and interventions—is not felt at home. An African scientist quoted in Scidev.net noted “Maybe we should have an incentive system structured differently in research institutions. Innovation is a public good with commercial value and industrial application, but a publication has knowledge value. When we reach an extent where they will use the commercial output from innovators other than publication, we shall see more innovations come out.”

The Situation analysis report on the mobilization of resources for health research and development finds that Africa has made progress towards financing for health R&D, especially in the past decade, but many African countries still have significant gaps to address. Of all the sampled countries, the report showed that Malawi had the highest proportion allocated to research in general at 1.06 percent of GDP, while Kenya had 0.79 percent, Rwanda 0.66 percent and Eswatini 0.27 percent. The report has clear recommendations – for policymakers and civil society organizations to address the challenges.

The reports’ findings and recommendations call for:

a. Increased government funding for health and research, which signals government leadership and commitment, and encourages greater investment from domestic partners
b. Strengthening existing laws, regulations and policies and enacting new ones were needed to guide research
c. Increase the influence of research on government policy by locating research closer to political power and aligning research priorities between researchers and governments
d. Governments must lead and facilitate collaboration between government and the private sector to fund and conduct contextually relevant health research
e. Research in Africa must prioritize benefits to Africans in research and development Incorporate robust accountability structures for efficient use of research resources
f. Advocating collectively for an enabling democratic environment for effective research
g. Strengthen cross-sectoral partnerships among CSOs to advocate for health research and development
h. Strengthen the advocacy capacity of CSOs in health financing and health research

The following are key strategies that advocates should consider:

1. Demonstrate to governments how specific investments are cost-effective, bring health and socioeconomic benefits, and enable broader governmental objectives
2. Explains the consequences of not investing in health R&D, including a slowing economy, reluctance of business and funder entities to invest, a “brain drain” of science and medical professionals, and cascading losses of the R&D benefits to other countries
3. Choose a collaborative approach to ensure that key government officials and policymakers view advocates as assets, partners and problem solvers with whom relationships can be formed towards the realization of health objectives and the mobilization of resources
4. Partner with experts in disciplines such as economics, public finance, business and international development for the strongest possible advocacy for health R&D
5. Strengthen capacity to interrogate and track government funding and actual expenditure on health R&D

The report concludes that governments, among others, in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) must prioritize and ensure budgetary allocations to health R&D, beyond the non-financial investments. Budget commitments have the potential to attract additional investments by partners and demonstrate political will. It’s time to champion this work!

CategoriesGFAN Africa
byWACI Health Secretariat

World Aids Day participation

“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”

As we reflect on this powerful African proverb 40 years after the beginning of the HIV/AIDS crisis, it is important to ask ourselves if we are indeed equitably marching together towards ending the epidemic for all.

It is hard not to have mixed feelings regarding the progress made so far towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We certainly must celebrate all the progress made throughout the years, but it is also necessary to look at the existing inequities in health and access to lifesaving services. HIV epidemics continue to grow in countries and communities where the benefits of science and human rights are still not reaching those being left behind. AIDS is still one of the deadliest pandemics of our times: despite global commitment to reduce AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections to fewer than 500 000 by the end of 2020, 680 000 people were lost to AIDS-related illnesses last year and 1.5 million people were newly infected with HIV . Our access to essential health services should not be restricted by where we are born nor by our current circumstances. In fact, some groups of people are more affected by HIV/AIDS because of social determinants of health like poverty, unequal access to health care, lack of education, stigma, and racism.

We have never been more mindful of the need to unite our efforts and raise awareness of the plight of the many Africans affected by HIV. On World AIDS Day, we hear the call for an urgent end to the inequalities that fuel AIDS and other global pandemics. 

We risk missing the 2030 target for ending AIDS, a COVID-19 pandemic and a spiraling social and economic crisis if we do not act boldly against inequalities and inequities. Not that a lack of knowledge or tools to defeat AIDS is holding the world back, but structural inequalities that prevent proven solutions for HIV prevention and treatment.

Communities and civil society in Africa, GFAN Africa’s secretariat, WACI Health, have seen first-hand how we can collaborate and invite exhorts everyone to join the fight to get back on track to end AIDS, by continuing increasing visibility and identifying the inequalities that largely determine who has access to HIV services that meet their needs, who is experiencing HIV transmission and who is dying. Then continue advocating to adapt the AIDS response to prioritize programs, laws, policies and services that will best empower those still being left behind and eliminate those inequalities 1

As we commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1st, 2021, we also call on you to join us and ignite a flame of hope for all humanity to end the AIDS epidemic once and for all. By lighting a candle for World AIDS Day, you bring hope and shed light on all that must be done to eradicate HIV infections in our communities, countries, and continent. Our unified efforts and collaboration will tell the world that we are standing strong and fighting HIV head-on because as Elizabeth Nyamayaro reminds us: “If one of us is unwell, then none of us is well.”

Together, we can end AIDS. Let’s work together to make an impact.

WACI Health

CategoriesThe Torch Caravan Photo Album Uncategorized WACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

Ensuring Civil Society Voices in the Global COVID-19 Response: ACT-A Leadership

In October, the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) undertook a review of its work for the stated purpose of potentially extending its mandate until the end of 2022. A new strategic plan and budget for the next 12 months were also released by the lead partner agencies.

ACT-A’s Platform for Civil Society and Community Representatives, co-led by WACI Health, the Global Fund Advocates Network, and StopAIDS UK, has been convening civil society representatives to provide input into the strategy and review processes. In each pillar and workstream of the ACT-A framework, the Platform will advocate for community and civil society representatives.

Recently, civil society through the Platform’s leadership sent a letter to the ACT-A Facilitation Council co-chairs and lead agencies outlining key issues for the strategy and a statement in response to the ACT-A strategic review. Civil society representatives in each ACT-A pillar continue to track developments closely and advocate for an equitable and responsive response to COVID-19. Read more

CategoriesWACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

Under the Tree: Youth advocacy and leadership program for global health

On 28th October 2021, WACI Health launched an African youth advocacy and leadership program for global health, which defines, creates, and implements change while equipping young African advocates with skills to make a global impact on health.

Under the Tree brings together all of WACI Health’s youth leadership programs, including AfNHi Youth Cohort, YL4H (Youth Leaders for Health), RUN4TB Youth and AGYW Voices. Through these programs, we have witnessed the power of youth advocacy and leadership in policy change.

Rosemary Mburu, executive director at WACI Health, says, “By fostering youth leadership, WACI Health acknowledges that young people should lead today, not wait for tomorrow. As an organisation that mentors youth to drive advocacy, we help develop knowledgeable, bold and accountable youth leaders for global health.”

We are inspired by Youth Leaders for Health, a joint program by WACI Health, RESULTS UK, Health Promotion Tanzania-HDT, Hope for Future Generations, and CISMATSL. In addition, YL4H was an 18-month journey of skill development, mentorship, and influence for policy change, which demonstrated the power of youth voices in advocacy.

The project ended in March 2021, and 25 Youth Leaders passionate about health and healthcare systems were trained to advocate for policy reform. Under the Tree will contribute to the YL4H goal of more decisive youth leadership for better and more equitable systems for health in Africa.

Under the Tree will apply three key strategies: (i) structured module-based training (ii) continuous group coaching (iii) facilitates and connects young people to advocate for policy change at crucial national, regional and global advocacy moments.

Currently, Under the Tree is training and mentoring a group of 12 young people drawn from the AfNHi Youth Cohort. These12 young people from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Uganda attend weekly online classes covering a range of topics from advocacy, engagement with communities, policymakers and civil society, media engagement, data advocacy and understanding the global, regional and local financing mechanisms.

The module-based online classes are combined with group coaching on specific skills to expand their capability to advocate for policy change at key national, regional and global advocacy moments. Additionally, Under the Tree hosts a monthly virtual Youth Forum, which is open to all young people passionate about health advocacy. It is a space for peer-to-peer learning and mentoring.

Using youth voices to advocate for and create community change is an outcome we strive for. Youth, adults, and their communities can potentially benefit from these interactions in significant ways.

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