ADB, GF to support financing to fight HIV, tuberculosis, malaria

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Fund (GF) have reached an understanding to finance, design, and implementation programmes to fight HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, and build resilient health systems in ADB member countries eligible for GF financing.

To this end, the two bodies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), says a BSS report on Saturday.

Through a framework of mutual cooperation, ADB and the Global Fund can complement each other's contributions to health programmes in the Asia and Pacific region.

"The Global Fund and ADB are building on 5 years of collaboration through the Regional Malaria and Communicable Diseases Threats Trust Fund," said Diwakar Gupta, ADB Vice-President for Private Sector and Cofinancing Operations.

The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance, for example, is working closely with Global Fund partners to improve supply chain, financial management, and programme quality related to malaria, he said.

“In addition to supporting the malaria elimination goal, we are working together to build attractive financing mechanisms for health system strengthening in ADB member countries," Gupta added.

In countries transitioning from Global Fund grants, ADB can support a gradual shift to other funding sources, especially increased domestic financing.

"The agreement exemplifies the Global Fund's commitment to strategic partnerships with multilateral development banks," said Marijke Wijnroks, Interim Executive Director of the Global Fund.

"Development finance institutions like ADB can augment the impact and footprint of Global Fund grants by leveraging additional investment, building financial sustainability, and reinforcing transparency," he said.

For the period 2017-2020, the Global Fund has allocated over $2 billion to countries in Asia and the Pacific. ADB's Strategy 2020 is committed to expanding health sector investments to 3 per cent-5 per cent of the bank's total operations, equalling $1 billion of investment in health by 2020.

The Global Fund is a 21st-century partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria as epidemics. As a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector, and people affected by the diseases, the Global Fund mobilises and invests nearly $4 billion a year to support programmes  run by local experts in more than 100 countries. By challenging barriers and embracing innovative approaches, the Global Fund partners work together to better serve people affected by the diseases.