By Buba Gagigo
Seedy Keita, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, has announced a successful negotiation resulting in a grant of US$23,415,791. The grant, facilitated by the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund, involves collaboration with the National AIDS Secretariat, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and various partners. This funding aims to bolster the ongoing efforts to combat HIV, AIDS, and Tuberculosis, and strengthen the healthcare system in The Gambia.
In his budget speech, Minister Keita emphasized that HIV and AIDS remain significant public health challenges in The Gambia, with a prevalence of 1.5% in the general population. He highlighted the reinforcement of prevention program strategies based on gathered information, with a focus on designing appropriate programs to ensure the continuum of care for affected individuals. The ultimate goal is to reduce HIV transmission within the community, suppress viral loads, and enhance patient care.
“Currently, prevention program strategies are reinforced using the information gathered, and appropriate programs designed to ensure the continuum of care for people affected with the ultimate objective of reducing HIV transmission among the community and suppressing viral loads and patients.
“The Gambia Government continues to receive support from the Global Fund to fight HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund, National AIDS Secretariat, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and other partners has successfully negotiated a grant in the amount of US$23,415,791 to continue the fight against HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Health System of the Gambia,” the minister said.
Minister Keita expressed gratitude for the continuous support from the Global Fund in the fight against HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The grant, negotiated by the CCM, National AIDS Secretariat, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and other partners, is earmarked for the period from January 1, 2024, to December 2026, extending the efforts initiated in the 2020-2023 funding cycle.
Additionally, as part of the Global Fund’s support, The Gambia will receive US$2.4 million to facilitate the provision of a CT scan, contributing to the strengthening of the country’s health system. Furthermore, a sum of US$7,859,024 has been allocated to cover unfunded demands in strategic priority areas such as TB mitigation, surveillance and data, oxygen and respiratory care, laboratory systems, diagnostic networks, and community health works. These funds are scheduled for implementation in 2024.
“Additionally, Global has committed funds to support the provision of a CT scan as part of the Country’s Health System Strengthening for US$2.4 million. As part of the Global Fund’s support, The Gambia has been awarded US$7,859,024 to cover unfunded demand in the following strategic priority areas: TB Mitigation, Surveillance and Data, Oxygen and respiratory care, Laboratory systems and Diagnostic Networks, and Community Health Works for implementation in 2024,” he said.
He continued; “Equally, the malaria program of the Ministry of Health has received a recommendation for grant-making following the submission of the Grant Cycle 7 proposal to continue the implementation of the malaria prevention and control strategies of the country, and a grant amounting to US$ 17,551,376 is allocated by the Global Fund for implementation from July 2024 to 30 June 2027.”