afrol News, 14 August - The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria today lifted a suspension of grants funding on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs in Chad.

The grants, worth more than US$ 20 million over five years, were suspended in November 2006 due to concerns over the misuse of funds and the ability of the principal recipient and sub-recipients to manage the Global Fund's resources.

The lifting followed arduous efforts and strong commitment by the government, development partners, the country coordinating mechanism and the programs' principal recipient - Le Fonds de Soutien aux Activités en Matière de Population - which guaranteed that better systems and new clarified responsibilities have been put in place.

It is hoped that this will lead to better oversight and more effective implementation of the two grants. A process to recover the misused funds is said to be under way.

"The Global Fund welcomes the extensive efforts of our partners in Chad to ensure that our concerns have been addressed," said Dr Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund.

"We are very pleased that the progress made enables us to support the country again in its fight against the two diseases. Many people in Chad are depending on it."

Since its creation in 2002, the fund has grown to become the dominant financer of programs to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, with almost US $11 billion in firm pledges and approved funding of US$ 7.7 billion for more than 450 programs in 136 countries.

So far, the Global Fund’s supported programs have provided AIDS and TB treatment to 1.1 million people and 2.8 million people, respectively and distributed 30 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria thus averting 1.8 million deaths worldwide.

By S. Makalo

© afrol News

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