Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla promised to quickly implement HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) response programmes to recover gains lost during the Covid-19 pandemic, as he accepted R8,8-billion from The Global Fund on Thursday.

The grant, approved for the period April 2022 to March 2025, is administered through multi-stakeholder structure, the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (GF-CCM).

The GF-CCM is chaired by South African National AIDS Council SANAC CEO Dr. Thembisile Xulu and co-chaired by SANAC Civil Society Forum Deputy Chairperson Solly Nduku.

The GF-CCM is mandated by the Global Fund to oversee grant implementation and features representatives from government, civil society, development partners and the private sector.

According to recent findings, the TB burden in South Africa is about twice as high as was previously estimated.

“We thank Global Fund for responding vividly to the Covid-19 pandemic; through grant flexibilities and through dedicated   Covid funds that the Global Fund allocated from 2020 including recently approved fast-track – all amounting to a total of US$ 238-million. The Covid-19 Response funding is contributing significantly to limit interruptions in delivery of TB and HIV services,” he said.

South Africa has been in partnership with Global Fund since 2003 and has, to date, received about US$1.3-billion to fight HIV, TB and malaria.

The allocated funds include the matching funds of US$ 10-million which will support activities implemented through the AIDS Foundation of South Africa, Beyond Zero, the National Aids Convention of South Africa and the Department of Health as principal recipients.

Phaahla explained that the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) ensured that a consultation process with every province’ key population, beneficiary, constituency and sector had a say in the funding proposal.

Through the CCM, about 400 community-based organisations will be empowered and trained to implement the programmes.

About 200 organisations will be given a small grant.

The Minister also noted the inclusion of a new programme that supports the establishment of a community-led networks for former inmates; cervical cancer to prevent and treat cervical cancer among high-risk women and girls; telemedicine (e.g. virtual consults) and an e-pharmacy service which will be implemented especially for men but also open to all key and vulnerable populations.

“I thank you for your partnership; I thank you all for your commitment to the HIV and TB cause. I am excited for the new funding and promise to check in on the grant to ensure we are implementing in a quality manner and absorbing funds effectively,” he said.