JOHANNESBURG, Nov 22 (NNN-SANEWS) — The Global Fund Eighth Replenishment Summit has concluded with pledges reaching some US$11.34 billion to bolster the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
President Cyril Ramaphosa – co-hosted the summit alongside United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer – announced the outcome at final Summit held in Johannesburg.
“This is an extraordinary achievement. We hope that future generations will look back on this moment as a turning point in the global fight against HIV, AIDS, TB and Malaria.
“The pledge amount is no mere number. It is a solid foundation for impact and a renewed impetus for transformation and change. Millions of lives will be saved. Stronger, more resilient health systems will be built,” Ramaphosa said.
He hailed the pledges as a “defining moment for global health and for global solidarity”.
“At a time when multilateralism has come under increasing strain and global cooperation in health is being sorely tested, this 8th Replenishment Summit of the Global Fund is a milestone for global health.
“Building resilient health systems, scaling-up local manufacturing of medicines and diagnostics, and securing sustainable financing are vital for both social and economic development,” Ramaphosa said.
Leading by example, President Ramaphosa announced combined pledges of about US$36.6 million (R630 million) from the South African government and the local private sector.
This includes some US$5.5 million from Goodbye Malaria as well as US$4.5 million from mining giant, Anglo American.
“We commend them for their unwavering commitment to improve the health of the people of our country, our continent and the world. The South African private sector has indicated that more pledges will follow.
“I call on the private sector in our country and elsewhere to step up and be counted amongst those that made a smart investment towards the elimination of HIV, TB and Malaria
“Our pledge represents our confidence in the Global Fund partnership and in its ability to deliver on its promises,” he said.
Furthermore, the outcome is a result of the “determination of a diverse coalition that has come together in the interest of global health security”.
“But we are not done yet. More countries, regional organisations and companies will rise up and meet us on this occasion.
“We must remain unified behind the purpose that makes the Global Fund unique and effective in equal measure.
“As part of our commitment to the Lusaka Agenda on global health initiatives, we need to work smarter and more efficiently. We need to eliminate waste and duplication and address the fragmentation of the global health financing system,” he said.
The President said the “robust” year-long campaign ought to be celebrated as a “collective effort to end HIV, TB and Malaria across the globe”.
“We reflect on the difficult journey we have travelled and the great progress we have made.
“This Summit reflects our shared commitment to invest in universal health coverage today for social protection and resilient health systems. It is up to us to demonstrate that solidarity and collective action can prevail over division.
“Without a healthy population, nations cannot prosper. It is therefore essential that we close gaps in access to medicines, diagnostics and financing, so that every country can protect its people and achieve health equity,” the President said. — NNN-SANEWS
