The Federal Secretary Health, Mr Iftikhar Ali Shalwani, is pleased to announce a significant collaboration with the Global Fund to address pressing health challenges being faced in efforts controlling and prevention of HIV, TB and Malaria. Secretary Health represented the Government of Pakistan, during 50th board Meeting at Geneva Headquarter, has expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, stated, “This collaboration with the Global Fund marks a crucial step forward in our collective efforts to tackle global health issues. Together, we aim to strengthen health systems, improve access to essential services, and combat the spread of infectious diseases. The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership to defeat HIV, TB and Malaria and ensure a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all. It guides how the partnership can accelerate progress towards free of the burden of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and malaria with better, equitable health for all.
He participated in the pre-board EMRC meeting and met with Dr Mohamed Chakroun and other board members from EMRC and other countries. They discussed the current situation of the EMRO region and the challenges faced by the region in implementing the TGF grants. He also had bilateral meetings with senior officials of The Global Fund. He expressed his gratitude to The Global Fund team for approving the three grants for TB, Malaria, and HIV worth USD 281.5 million and 5million as catalytic funding for the next three years 2024-2026. He urged The Global Fund to increase its investment for the three diseases in Pakistan considering the impact of climate change and the disease burden. He also highlighted that government leadership is vital to ensure that the health system performs well, ensuring equity and justice, protecting human rights, enhancing accountability, coordination, and division of roles, responsibilities, and actions for the health and well-being of the people. The Government of Pakistan is the guardian of the health and well-being of the people of Pakistan and is accountable for ensuring that all resources including financial, human, and material are used wisely for effective programming and in line with the ground realities. In the next grant cycle 2024-2024, The Government of Pakistan should be given the lead role in all aspects of the grant.
Key Highlights of the Collaboration: Enhanced Disease Prevention and Control: The collaboration will focus on bolstering efforts to prevent and control AIDS, TB and Malaria. Health System Strengthening: Through the support of the Global Fund, initiatives will be implemented to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, ensuring more effective and resilient health systems. Access to Essential Medicines: Efforts will be directed towards improving access to vital medicines and treatments, especially in underserved communities where healthcare resources are limited.
