19 Dec 2017   

Amref Signs Grants from the Global Fund

The Global Fund has granted USD$ 46 million to Amref Health Africa towards tuberculosis disease (‘TB’) and malaria control in Kenya. Kenya was taken a step closer towards the goal of ‘Universal Health Care’, with the recent grants assisting Amref to strengthen Kenyan health systems. Dr. Meshack Ndirangu, Country Director at Amref in Kenya, predicts improvements to operations at the community level with health workers. Diagnostic and treatment services are predicted to reach nearly one million people.

According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Malaria Report 2017, approximately 70% of Kenya’s 46 million people are at risk of contracting malaria. The report has identified the necessity for increased funding; therefore these grants have been awarded at a fitting time. Despite a global increase in malaria cases, progress on malaria control and elimination has stalled. Read the highlights of the latest World Malaria Report here.

Similarly, a recent National TB Prevalence Survey in Kenya revealed that Kenya’s TB burden is higher than initially estimated. The survey discovered that 40% of TB cases within Kenya go undetected. An easily transferable disease, spread through the air or as a result of HIV, TB is a major cause of death in Kenya. Along with six other African countries, Kenya will be conducting large-scale trials on a new HIV prevention drug, known as cabotegravir (CAB).

The current TB & malaria burden in Kenya significantly enhances and highlights the advantage of these new grants. For one, this funding will boost Amref’s ability to work with other stakeholders to identify and develop innovative solutions to control TB within Kenya.

Hear from the CEO of Amref Health Africa, Githinji Gitahi, at the 3rd annual Aid & Development Africa Summit on 27-28 February 2018 in Nairobi. Hosted by the Aid & International Development Forum (AIDF), the Summit will discuss crucial health care in Kenya, particularly disease prevention and control.

Focusing upon HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, the Summit panels will include expert speakers, such as Matthias Boyen, UAV Focal Point - HIV/AIDS Support Project Officer at UNICEF, Gary Jones, Security AIDS & Humanitarian Response Advisor at UNAIDS and Olawale Maiyegun, Director, Department of Social Affairs at African Union Commission.

View the agenda and register your participation at africa.aidforum.org.

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Image Source: Just Between Us