Three extraordinary women give their views on the Global Fund.
Hear from Mphu Keneiloe Ramatlapeng, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Lesotho; Joy Phumaphi, former Health Minister, Botswana and former World Bank Vice President; and Agnes Binagwaho, Permanent Secretary of Health, Rwanda and Chair of Rwanda’s Country Coordinating Mechanism – the organizing body which accesses Global Fund grants.
The three leaders share their experiences of Global Fund financing from the perspective of grant holders in Sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by HIV. This area of Africa accounts for two thirds of all people living with HIV and three quarters of all AIDS deaths (1.5 million out of 2 million last year). Over one third of all Global Fund financing goes to HIV and AIDS programs in Africa.
The three female health ministers talk about the importance of helping women and children in particular. In Sub-Saharan Africa nearly two thirds of adults living with HIV are women and the current economic climate is adding to their burden.
Gains in the fight against disease have been made. Overall it is estimated Global Fund programs save 3,000 lives every day. These strong African women stress the importance of maintaining support to health programs for a sustainable future.