South Africa will pledge an additional R1-million this year to the global fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said in Durban on Tuesday.
”We further remain committed to supporting the global fund consistent with our potential and ability to do so. We have so far pledged $10-million (about R70,3-million) over a period of five years, from 2003 to 2007,” she said in a speech prepared for delivery to delegates at the mid-term review of the global fund replenishment.
”As a gesture of this commitment, I wish to announce that the South African government will pledge an additional R1-million in this current financial year.”
The fund was created to finance a dramatic global turn-around in the diseases.
According to the fund’s website, three replenishment meetings were held in 2005 in preparation for the first replenishment cycle for the biennium 2006 to 2007. They gave donors a chance to discuss effectiveness and future needs.
The Durban meeting is to assess the process and discuss any funding gap. — Sapa