DILI, 23 february 2023 (TATOLI) – The Global Fund will provide more than US$15 to Timor-Leste to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria during the period 2024-2026.
“From 2021 to 2023, the Global Fund has provided US$21 million to Timor-Leste to combat HIV, TB, and malaria. Thus, for the next cycle which will begin on january 1, 2024 through december 2026, Global Fund will provide US$15.5 million to combat the three diseases in the country,” Global Fund Portfolio Manager, Manab Basnet made the comments on the sidelines of the country’s national consultation workshop for the preparation of the Global Fund’s funding request proposal for the 2024-2026 period.
He said that Timor-Leste has made significant progress in malaria containment and is ready to be eligible for malaria-free country certification: “Timor-Leste is ready to submit to WHO, its application for malaria-free certification.”
Basnet said that there is a lot more to do regarding TB and HIV eradication, saying that TB is a big burden in the country as there are many people infected with TB: “So, TB is one of our priorities for the next grant cycle.”
“We are also finding many people testing positive for HIV. We have given them antiretroviral treatment, so they can live longer. Of course, HIV will be our next priority when malaria is indeed completely eradicated in Timor-Leste,” he said.
He revealed that the Global Fund has been supporting the government of Timor-Leste since 2002: “So, we have provided almost US$90 million to support the national HIV, TB, and malaria program since 2002.”
Basnet traveled from Geneva to attend the country’s national consultation workshop for the preparation of the Global Fund’s funding request proposal for the 2024-2026 period.
“Today, I’m here for two reasons. First, it is to review the grant that we signed with the government of Timor-Leste which ends this year and I am also here to discuss the development of the proposal for the next grant cycle that starts from january 1, 2024,” he said.
He said that workshop will help Government and development partners to prioritize interventions they would need to meet the big difference in HIV, TB, and malaria response in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
