Nation Receives N77 Billion for HIV/AIDS. 1/10/10

TB has $113million, HIV $314million and malaria $47million.

AllAfrica

Abuja — Nigeria is to receive N77billion ($.5billion) grant from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria in the country. The breakdown shows TB has $113million, HIV $314million and malaria $47million.

This brings the total grant received from the global fund to about N231billion ($1.5billion) since the establishment of the fund in 2001.This was disclosed yesterday as the country signed an agreement with the fund at the Conference Room of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),Abuja in an occasion that was graced by the former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon who was the chairman of the occasion.

Meanwhile the Federal Government has warned the managers of the fund on the need to exhibit absolute sincerity in the disbursement of the fund. The warning follows the event that led to the Global Fund suspension of about $50 million in grants to help Nigeria control the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in 2006 as a result of the country's failure to meet targets on drug access and transparency.

The SGF, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, who spoke shortly before the official signing of the agreement warned managers of the fund, Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), that the government would demand absolute sincerity in the disbursement of the fund.

Gen. Gowon who also called for sincerity in the disbursement of the funds said the fight against the three deadly diseases will remain an adventure if the fund was not judiciously spent.

Also the Global Fund Portfolio manager for West and Central Africa, Christa Arent, said more commitment is demanded from the states in the fight against the three killer diseases. She therefore calls for some high level political commitment on the part of the states.