Funding &Partnership Bill Brieger | 11 Feb 2007 03:11 am
“AIDS FUND†– and where’s Malaria?
The headline in the Boston Globe was telling: “French doctor chosen to head AIDS fund.†Clearly there is value in having practical experience in one of the three disease control efforts supported by the GFATM, but the not so subtle message could be that HIV/AIDS projects will continue to receive the bulk of funding as in the past (see chart from GFATM). The New York Times was more evenhanded in when saying “French Doctor to Lead Global Disease Fund.â€
The Financial Times stated, “Observers said Mr. Kazatchkine, who replaces Sir Richard Feachem, the British executive director for the fund’s first five years who is retiring at the end of March, was a highly respected candidate whose challenges would include expanding his expertise of malaria and how to manage a large financial institution.â€Â This learning process also appears to include a strong recognition of the role health systems factors play in the success of any disease control effort. According to SpiritIndia.com “Kazatchkine said that he hopes Global Fund grants will help to fight not only HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria but also to improve health care infrastructures in developing countries.â€
We wish Mr. Kazatchkine well in his new endeavor and trust he will avail himself of the malaria knowledge and skills of the many partners in the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.