Noticias
Noticias
On Monday November 16, the 34th Meeting of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Geneva was developed, with many challenges and work ahead. Amid the sadness due to the attacks in these days in Beirut, Paris and other cities, representatives from various sectors around the world come together with a commitment to support the work of the Fund in the task of ending the three main pandemics of humanity.
After two days of preparatory meetings of joint strategies with delegations from communities, activists, experts in finance, public health and rights, among others, it is clear that it is necessary to review the strategies of the Fund and adapt them to the new global scenario. Representing SOMOSGAY and MSMGF Youth Reference Group, Sergio Lopez was appointed as a member of the Board in its capacity as youth delegate for Latin America and the Caribbean.
"The evidence shows us that HIV and tuberculosis, in particular, are diseases that cannot be eliminated merely by medical interventions, since they are directly connected with social and cultural issues," said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. For his part, US Ambassador Deborah L. Birx started the day with a bold statement: "After 15 years, the Global Fund should not only advocate for health policy but for public health as a priority to eliminate these diseases. We cannot plan strategies for 2016 onwards based on those that until 2015 did not work, even more because many countries still refuse to answer questions that continue to allow the spread of the disease."
"The crisis and refugees in Europe gives us the opportunity to install an open, honest and transparent debate about the mission of the Global Fund," said the representative of the NGO Delegation Developed Countries, Ton Coenen, "especially considering that many donors and partners in the region have withdrawn their support because of this."
During the next two days the Global Fund Board will discuss the process of reforming its 2017-2022 strategy, including the new mechanism for allocating funds and the new methodology for funding for countries. In this discussion, a clear need for neglecting the country classification established by the World Bank is a key to ensuring that countries called "medium-high" income such as Paraguay, are not left behind in the years to matter.
SOMOSGAY joins this key restructuring process committed to ensuring that the voices and needs of the most affected communities are visible, heard and included in all levels of action and operation of the Global Fund.
For more information on the composition of the Board of the Fund, visit: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/board/members/
