Global Fund Commits to Significant TB Activities in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, October 8, 2024 (FBC) – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) has announced that it will undertake significant activities aimed at combating TB in Ethiopia.

This commitment was made by the Global Fund’s Portfolio Manager for Ethiopia, George Sakvarelidze, during a meeting with Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, to review the performance of the 6th round of the Global Fund and the commencement of the first quarter of the 7th round.

It is worth noting that the Global Fund and the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia have launched the implementation of three new grants totaling over US$441 million on June 18, 2024. These grants aim to sustain progress against HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria while strengthening health and community systems across the country over the 2024-2027 grant period.

During today’s evaluation discussion, Dr. Mekdes highlighted the successful performance of the 6th round and noted that the works accomplished could serve as a model for other countries.

It was mentioned that the funds for the new Global Fund 7th round grant have been transferred to Ethiopia on time and the Ministry of Health has stated that the money has been disbursed to the regional states and is already being put to work.

The Minister expressed her gratitude to the Global Fund for their support and emphasized that by learning from previous performance, the focus should be on achieving enhanced performance in the 7th round of grants.

For his part, Dr. George Sakvarelidze, the Global Fund Ethiopia Portfolio Manager, has expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the Global Fund’s 6th round of grants and called for the 7th round to continue in the same manner.

The Global Fund country portfolio aims to improve the health status of the population by accelerating progress towards universal health coverage, protecting people from health emergencies, transforming woredas, and improving health system responsiveness that further contributes to sustainable economic development.