Article - WACI Health

September 13, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

WACI Health & GFAN Africa meet with PEPFAR

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 6^th 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 6^th 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.

by GFAN Africa

September 13, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

GFAN Africa Visit to Embassy of Japan in Kenya

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 28^th August 2019.

Thank you Japan!

by GFAN Africa

Article GFAN Africa

September 13, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

Partnerships with Private Sector Key to Achieving Desired Health Outcomes

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.

Article

September 6, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

Young Women Must be Empowered to Step Up The Fight

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.

Article

September 6, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

In Yokohama, Leveraging SDGs to deliver UHC for Women and Girls

WACI Health and GFAN Africa were in Yokohama on 28^th August on the sidelines of TICAD 7 for a meeting on “Leveraging the SDGs to deliver Universal Health Coverage for Women and girls in East Africa: Lessons from the Communities” the meeting was co-hosted with the SDGs Kenya Forum and Eastern Africa national networks of AIDS and health service organizations (EANNASO) in collaboration with AMREF Health Africa and Kenya Aids NGO Consortium (KANCO).

At the meeting, participants shared experiences on mobilization and advocacy towards a successful 6^th replenishment of the Global Fund, sexual & reproductive health rights, implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and review and the follow up of all these at national and regional levels. Further, participants presented case studies of how civil society organizations are working to drive the delivery of Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) in their communities. Finally, they showcased models of how Civil Society Organizations are leading on influencing the policy and programmatic agenda of UHC globally, regionally and nationally.

CSOs present took the opportunity to build momentum for a strong declaration at the upcoming high level meeting on UHC. This is in consideration of the contribution of the declaration towards achieving the SDGs and the call to leave no one behind. The High Level Meeting will take place on 24^th September in New York.

Article

September 2, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

Civil Society Conversations on Resources for Health

by Global Funds Advocates Network

On 23 July in Nairobi, Kenya, WACI Health and KANCO hosted CSOs from Kenya who were joined by GFAN Africarepresentatives from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Tanzania for a candid discussion on the 6^thReplenishment 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 the ways in which the Global Fund is a worthwhile investment.

There was emphasis on the need for a successful 6^th Replenishment of the Global Fund because has a strong record of achieving effective and accountable results with donor funding.

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, millions of new infections, and a worldwide backslide on gains made against these three epidemics to date.

Participants thanked France for its leadership in hosting the 6^thReplenishment 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 has been a major investor in the Global Fund. “Increasing funding for the replenishment of the Global Fund will move us to a better place in healthcare. Taxpayers in France, sacrifice for others to improve their lives through better health” said Dr Pierre Bello, Health Advisor, Embassy of France in Kenya. He added that Kenya has a strong political will for a successful UHC and must take advantage of the external funding opportunities to be able to build stronger and more stable healthcare systems.

Through the support of the Global Fund, Kenya has improved its healthcare systems, and has increased its disease interventions and programs for the most vulnerable populations. Support to Kenya reaches those who need it most – communities. Grace Adego, a community health volunteer and a panelist at this event, expressed her gratitude for the free ARVs she receives.

Regina Ombam, Deputy Director, HIV Investments National AIDS Control Council, noted that as a lower-middle income country, Kenya’s donor financing is gradually dwindling. As such, there is need for increased allocation of domestic resources for health to ensure that existing funding gaps do not grow. She also noted that the Government of Kenya is increasing health financing and giving healthcare more attention and focus.

Ms Ombam challenged those present:

To think of the possibility of a replenishment conference for Kenya with Kenya government and 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 on 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 programs;
There should be focus on disease prevention.

Ms Fahe Kerubo, a young girl, noted that while HIV interventions are commendable, infections among adolescent girls and young women remain unacceptably high. Increased funding for health should address this challenge, and Kenya’s youth must be at the center of the HIV response.

There was a rallying call for additional resources for healthcare from donors, the Government of Kenya, and other implementing countries. Increased focus on healthcare will lead to a successful UHC and progress towards SDG3 goals for the health and wellbeing of all.

Article GFAN Africa

August 20, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

GFAN Africa Day of Action – FINLAND

In 2002, Finland joined hands with other governments, the private sector, civil society and people affected by HIV, TB and malaria to form the Global Fund.

The strategy of the Global Fund is strongly aligned with Finland’s principles and objectives to support the efforts of implementing countries to eradicate poverty and inequality and to promote sustainable development, with emphasis on the rights of women and girls and on the strengthening of countries’ economy to promote employment, better livelihoods and well-being.

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On 31 July, GFAN Africa wrote letters Aino-Kaisa Pekonen Minister for Social Affairs and Health and to Ville Skinnari Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade for Finland. In the letters sent to them directly, and through consulates and high commissions in countries across Africa, we acknowledged Finland’s support to the Global Fund since 2002.

In the letters we asked for Finland’s renewed commitment and support to the global fight against HIV, TB and Malaria – three of the world’s largest infectious disease killers, accounting for 3 million deaths in 2017 alone. In the letter we, emphasized that we must end the pain, disempowerment, stigma, illness and deaths resulting from HIV, TB and Malaria.

The following countries joined in the day of actin for Finland by delivering and sending letters to embassies and consulates of Finland Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Guinea Bissau, Eswatini, Ghana and South Africa. This was followed by tweeter action and Facebook posts urging Finland to #stepupthefight

Article GFAN Africa

August 20, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

GFAN Africa Day of Action – The Netherlands

On 18 July 2019, GFAN Africa wrote a letter to The Netherlands, urging them to #stepupthefight. In the letter we noted with utmost gratitude, that since 2001 until the 5^th replenishment, the Netherlands has contributed significantly towards the global goals to end the epidemics of HIV, TB and Malaria.

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As we thanked The Netherlands for its unwavering support to the Global Fund, we urged the country to increase its contribution to the 6^th replenishment. The following countries joined in the day of action: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South Africa, Burundi, Rwanda, Benin, Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Eswatini. After delivering and sending the letters, GFAN Africa engaged Netherlands on Facebook and twitter asking the country to #stepupthefight

The Global Fund aims not just to save 16 million lives in the next three years, but also to end the epidemics. By tackling HIV, TB and malaria through building resilient, sustainable and inclusive health systems, the Fund will enable the achievement of universal health coverage and SDG3 on the health and wellbeing of all.

The Netherlands’ smart, effective health investments through the Global Fund have helped save more than 27 million lives. With contributions of more than EUR 919 million as of December 2018, the Netherlands is the 10th largest public donor to the Global Fund. In the last replenishment in 2016, the Netherlands pledged EUR166 million. We are asking Netherlands to increase its pledge for the 6^th replenishment by 15%.

Article GFAN Africa

August 20, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

GFAN Africa – Global Fund Day of Action for Canada

On 11 July 2019 GFAN Africa held a day of action and called on the Canadian Government to increase its investment in the Global Fund.

Why Canada?

Canada hosted the 5th replenishment of the Global Fund. However, up until July, less than 100 days to the replenishment conference, Canada a global health leader has not made a pledge for the 6th replenishment of the Global fund. 2019 is an election year for Canada and this presents a possibility of Canada’s attention being diverted away from global health.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his speech during the 5th replenishment stated that Canada will continue to champion the important work being done to end these epidemics (HIV, TB and malaria) so that our world’s most vulnerable can turn their efforts to growing their communities and supporting their families…. These circumstances informed GFAN Africa’s decision to run a campaign targeting Canada.

The Campaign

Members of GFAN Africa wrote a letter and shared it with their members across Africa. In the letter, we acknowledged and appreciated that Canada is one of the top donors in the fight to end the epidemics of HIV, TB, and malaria and a firm promoter of gender equality and human rights. The Global Fund is asking donors to increase their pledge by at least 15% to raise at least US$14 billion, the minimum amount necessary so that countries get back on track to defeat HIV, TB, and malaria by 2030 in line with SDG 3 on the health and wellbeing for all. In this regard, we asked Canada to make an increased pledge of CAD 925 million for 2020 – 2022.

Members then presented the letter to Canadian Embassies and High Commissions in their own countries on 11 July 2019. In addition, GFAN Africa prepared campaign posters and used them to take photos and post them on social media. In countries where there are no Canadian Embassies and High Commissions, members delivered or sent the letter to the Embassy located in a neighboring country.

Ghana

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A total of 16 countries participated in the campaign namely: Mali, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Eswatini, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, DRC and Central Africa Republic. Participants of a meeting in Rwanda on developing and implementing of single TB/HIV concept notes and participants of the AHF Global Advocacy and marketing summit in Los Angeles, USA also joined in the online campaign.

Appreciated Support

Canadian advocates have been working on the Canadian government to increase the Canadian pledge and are calling for a 1 billion Canadian commitment. Part of their efforts included bringing GFAN Speaker, Loyce Maturu to Canada to speak about the importance of the Global Fund.

Canadian Advocates appreciated the increased voices from GFAN Africa partners in calling for the Canadian Government to Get Back on Track, Step Up the Fight and increase its investment in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Article GFAN Africa

August 6, 2019 byWACI Health Secretariat

Scaling up campaigns for a successful Global Fund replenishment

GFAN Africa together with UNAIDS and the Embassy of France in Kenya & Somalia organized a high profile panel discussion and cocktail on the 6th replenishment of the Global Fund. The theme was “Stepping Up the Fight to End the Epidemics of HIV, TB and Malaria 6th Replenishment of the Global Fund: a key moment to raise additional resources for the global goal to end the epidemics of HIV, TB and Malaria”. The host was Her Excellency Mrs Aline Kuster-Ménager the Ambassador of France to Kenya & Somalia who gave the welcome address.

The purpose of the event was to showcase the benefits of the Global Fund to Kenya and to make a case for the need for a successful 6^th replenishment. The event took place at the French Embassy in Nairobi on 25th July. The panelists were a representative of the Ministry of Finance in Kenya, The Global Fund, Community affected by the three diseases and the UN.

Invited participants to the meeting were donors, Civil Society, Government representatives, Global Fund Country Coordination Mechanism, Communities, UN and the media.

Discussants noted that tremendous progress has been made in Kenya to defeat HIV, TB, malaria with the support of the Global Fund. Kenya has come from a situation where there was absolutely no treatment for HIV to having more than 1 million people on ARV treatment. Despite the progress, there are funding gaps, hence there is need for a successful replenishment of the Global Fund to raise at least 14 billion, close the funding gaps to sustain the progress made so far, and scale up interventions. We must defeat the three diseases so that the next generation should not have to worry about them.