Gov’t signs a Ksh59 Billion grant to curb HIV, TB and Malaria epidemics

NAIROBI, Kenya, June 24 – The government has signed a Ksh59.7 Billion (USD407,989,068) global fund grant in a move to support and accelerate the end of HIV, TB & MALARIA epidemics in the country and globally.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health stated that HIV will receive a total of USD 232,580,654, Malaria USD 72,934,665, TB USD 67,785,529, and the healthcare strengthening system will receive, USD 34,688,220.

The grant is set to be implemented in a period of three years between July 2024 to June 2027.

“Kenya has today signed six Global Fund grants amounting to USD 407,989,068 (KSH 59.7 BILLION to support HIV, TB & Malaria intervention and strengthen health and community systems during the implementation period of three years (July 2024 to June 2027),” it stated.

In Kenya, over 1.6 Million people live with HIV, over 6 million cases of Malaria are reported annually and more than 120,000 people develop TB annually thus posing a great health risk burden in the country

According to the ministry, the funds will be pivotal in strengthening health systems at the facility and community level and will help in the procurement of TB, Malaria, and HIV commodities including medicines, laboratory supplies, and test kits.

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Furthermore, the grant will also support Social support and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) premiums for TB/HIV/Malaria needy patients to access the full SHIF benefit package a step that will be pivotal in the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

The funds will also support the provision of quality care and prevention services for all people with TB, leprosy, and lung diseases.

According to the Ministry, the partnership between the global fund and the government has been fundamental in reducing the effects of these diseases in the past two decades by supporting programmatic interventions which has seen the overall reduction of Malaria, HIV, and TB burden in the country.

“The Global Fund has partnered with the Government of Kenya and provided support for the establishment of 1,933 community health units, training of 18,500 community health promotors CHPS and 3,700 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs),” it stated.