An international organisation, Global Fund, has approved about $1 billion to assist Nigeria in the fight against tuberculosis, malaria, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIVAIDS)
The director of information in the office of the secretary to government of the federation, Mr. Willie Bassey, disclosed this in a statement.
He said the country portfolio manager, Nigeria, Dr Jean-Thomas Nouboussi, told the secretary to the federal government, Mr. George Akume, during a courtesy call to the latter in Abuja yesterday.
The statement quoted the organisation as saying that the money was meant for the next three years.
“The Global Fund has approved about $1bn for Nigeria as part of its grant to assist the country in the fight against tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS for the next three years – with the implementation plan commencing from January 2024,” the country director said.
He said out of approximately 110 countries, Nigeria is the highest beneficiary of the Global Fund grants.
He added that Global Fund was working with Country Coordinating Mechanism in ensuring equitable disbursement of funds to countries affected in the fight against tuberculosis, AIDS, and malaria around the globe.
He, therefore, sought the support of the SGF to ensure speedy implementation of the funding to Nigeria.
Responding, Akume appreciated the Fund’s intervention in TB and malaria.
“I also learnt that you also intervened in the prevalence of AIDS, I know it has really gone down, but there are some little signs that it has not yet been completely eliminated, but we are very much on the course. We immensely appreciate the support. We need this intervention to continue,” he added.
