Luanda – At least 70% of the USD 105 million released by the Global Fund to be used until 2024, has been earmarked for combat HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and Covid-19.
The amount for 2021-2021 period particularly was allocated to the provinces of Benguela and Cuanza Sul, the senior manager of the Fund Portfolio, Joshua Galjour has told reporters.
Joshua Galjour, who was speaking Tuesday in Luanda, after a meeting with the health minister, Silvia Lutucuta, noted that the funding for malaria will help reduce the death rate by 19% per 100 inhabitants and the positivity rate to 35% by 2023.
To ensure that at least 90% of Benguela and Cuanza Sul population uses mosquito nets impregnated with long-lasting insecticide, as well as testing and treating 100% of suspected malaria cases.
As for tuberculosis, the aim is to reduce incidence to 320% per 100.000 inhabitants and the mortality rate to 40% per 100.000 inhabitants by 2023.
In HIV, the goal is to maintain the prevalence rate at around 1.1% in the general population and reduce the percentage of new infections in children born to HIV-positive mothers to 4% by 2023.
This includes reducing the number of new infections among vulnerable populations and increasing antiretroviral treatment coverage.
The funding also provides for services to support the fight against Covid-19, such as the provision of personal protective equipment for health workers, community services, tests and other diagnostic products and oxygen equipment for severe cases.
The official stressed that the meeting aimed to assess the progress, results and challenges for the implementation of the funded activities.
The Global Fund has already provided more than USD 22 million for the purchase of Covid-19 diagnostics and to reinforce the health system.
On the occasion, the minister of Health, Silvia Lutucuta, reiterated Angola´s commitment to fight against these endemic diseases.
The minister called for commitment to permanent dialogue, and to have a perspective for the use of new technologies that help improve the logistic chain, data management, as well as to invest in human resources training.
“We are quite engaged, although it should be more comprehensive to meet other needs related to diagnostic and other material that are part of the readable and non-readable range”, stressed the minister.
She pointed out that a public tender is underway for the acquisition of 10 million mosquito nets.
Angola has become a priority country for the Global Fund and still in this year it should receive an allocation letter to disclose the amounts available for the fight against these diseases, from 2024 to 2027.
