On Monday, Kenya received a Ksh59.7 Billion (USD 407,989,068) grant from the Global Fund to combat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria treatment.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health, the grant is expected to strengthen health and community systems during the implementation period of three years (July 2024 to June 2027).
The Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by diseases designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria epidemics globally.
Some of the areas in which the grant is expected to be utilised are the provision of quality care and prevention services for all people with TB, leprosy and lung diseases.
Within the fund, the government is expected to offer social support and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) premiums for vulnerable TB/HIV/Malaria patients to access a full SHIF benefit package.
The government is also expected to use the funds to attain Universal Health Coverage through comprehensive prevention, treatment and care.
Funds from the Global Fund should also be used to reduce malaria incidence and deaths by at least 75 per cent by 2027.
The government is also expected to procure TB, Malaria and HIV commodities including medicines, laboratory supplies and test kits.
Additionally, MOH revealed that the Global Fund invested Ksh1.2 Billion (US$ 9.5M) in the construction, equipping and digitization of KEMSA National Supply Chain Centre.
This investment will enhance the supply chain, support service delivery at Primary Health Care and with adequate storage, strengthen responses to pandemics and emergencies resulting from climate change.
The donation comes at a time when the government has reported a 78 per cent decrease in new HIV infections in the country.
Further, MOH reported a decrease in mortality attributed to HIV by 68 per cent and that of mother-to-child transmission by 65 per cent.
