Kenya, the Global Fund and other development partners have signed a Ksh.48 billion grant to aid in the management and control of HIV, Tb and Malaria.
Three principal recipients including the National Treasury, Amref Health Africa and the Kenya Red Cross Society will manage the grant, which will run from July this year to June 2024.
With covid-19 having affected global supply chains, there are calls for the promotion of local manufacturing even as Kenya gets a shot in the arm.
“This new grant is aimed at supplementing the government’s efforts in the fight against HIV, Tb, malaria and strengthening our health system at the national, county and community levels. My ministry will ensure that the grant is implemented as per the design,” said Dr. Rashid Aman, Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Ministry of Health
The World Health Organization (WHO), estimates that 170 million working days are lost to malaria each year in Africa.
Malaria, Tb and HIV/AIDS are among the diseases with the highest impact on Kenyans’ livelihoods and socioeconomic structures
To mitigate the negative impact of the three diseases, Kenya and the Global Fund have joined hands where the National Treasury, Amref Health Africa and Kenya Red Cross will receive Ksh.31.3 billion, Ksh.7.4 billion and Ksh.8.1 billion respectively.
So far, Kenya and the Global Fund have signed 25 grants worth Ksh.138 billion. Kenya has witnessed a significant drop in HIV prevalence from a staggering 11 percent in 1998 to 4.9 percent in 2021.
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In the last three years, over 275,000 people have been diagnosed and treated representing 81 percent of the total target, there are calls to further formalize community services.
“My call is that as a country indeed all of us really are to invest in community level structures that promote preventive health actions. If there’s anything COVID has taught us about investment in healthcare is that we will never have enough health facilities and therefore putting facilities at the community level is key,” said Dr. Asha Mohammed, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross.
With bitter lessons stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, stakeholders in the health sector now want the government to reduce overdependence on foreign aid and the importation of lifesaving healthcare supplies by promoting local manufacturing.
“To continue to use RDTS that are imported, mosquito nets that are imported and other commodities it’s time for us and COVID has shown that commodity security is critical. Let us look at the local manufacturing agenda under the global fund agenda,” said Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Chief executive, Amref Health Africa.
And as central government seeks to reduce the infection and fatality rates of the diseases, the bulk of the work will rely on the devolved units to enhance coordination and visibility.
“We urge the national treasury as the principal recipient of global fund to endure timely disbursements of funds for purposes of timely implementation of these critical activities,” said Martin Wambora, Council of Governors Chair.
The global fund has also contributed Ksh.7.4 billion to aid the country’s response towards the ravaging coronavirus pandemic and mitigate its impact on the economy.
