Global Fund grant to boost Zim's ailing health system

HARARE, ZIMBABWE - Nov 25 2009 10:05

Zimbabwe's ailing public health system will receive a $180-million boost to fight HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria from the Global Fund, state media reported on Wednesday.

The government and the Global Fund signed for the release of the money in Geneva, Switzerland, earlier this month.

"The first phase of the grant is expected to start in January next year and run until December," Rangarirai Chiteure, Global Fund country coordinating mechanism manager, told the state-run Herald.

Zimbabwe has been receiving money from the Global Fund since 2002 and this latest grant is the fourth.

In September, Zimbabwe reported new progress in its fight against Aids, saying its HIV infection rate had declined to 13,7% of youths and adults, from an estimated 14,1% last year.

However, Health Minister Henry Madzorera said the rate was still too high and called for concerted efforts to push the rate down into single digits.

Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in the world to have recorded a sharp decline in its HIV prevalence rate, down from a high of 33% in 1999. -- AFP

CONTINUES BELOW

Click here

TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE

Global Fund grant to boost Zim's ailing health system

Related Articles

Tags

IN THIS WEEK'S PAPER

Advertisements

Sponsored links