Kenya Leads the Way in Africa with a Pledge of $5 million to the Global Fund

26 August 2016

NAIROBI – Kenya has pledged US$5 million to the Global Fund’s Fifth Replenishment to be held in Montréal, Canada, on 16-17 September 2016.

Speaking at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Nairobi today, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the country’s contribution of US$5 million, saying that a time had come for all global health partners to work together to fight diseases and to accelerate the attainment of universal health coverage in Africa.

“In the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility, my government is committing these resources,” President Kenyatta said. “The funds, which will be invested in prevention and treatment of diseases and in building health systems, will save lives and create more inclusive and thriving communities.”

Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, thanked President Kenyatta and the people of Kenya for the funds, saying the contribution cements Kenya’s status as a leader in global health in the region.

”Kenya’s new commitment to the Global Fund is a demonstration of outstanding leadership in global health and development,” said Dr. Dybul. “Kenya is leading the way in showing that middle- and low-income countries can invest strongly together with high-income countries to create adequate resources to end HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics while building sufficient systems for health to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage in Africa.”

In the last two financial years, the Kenyan government has also allocated US$54 million as part of its domestic financial contribution in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and building of health systems in the country. That investment is expected to contribute significantly toward Kenya’s health goals, save many lives and create opportunity and prosperity for many more people in the country. In partnership with the Government of Kenya, programs supported by the Global Fund have provided 440,000 people with antiretroviral therapy for HIV, treated 212,000 people for tuberculosis, and distributed 14.7 million insecticide-treated nets to protect families from malaria.

In his statement, President Kenyatta also thanked Japan for its strong pledge of US$800 million for the Global Fund’s replenishment, saying that Japan’s contribution will help fast-track Africa’s steady march towards universal health coverage and save many lives.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada will host the 2016 Global Fund’s Replenishment Conference in Montreal in September.

The Global Fund set a target for raising US$13 billion for its next three-year cycle of funding, which is expected to save 8 million lives and avert 300 million new infections, and will lay the groundwork for potential economic gains of up to US$290 billion in the years ahead. Strong investment in global health can significantly bolster international stability and security, while creating greater opportunity, prosperity, and well-being. The Replenishment Conference is held once every three years.

Global Fund-supported programs have saved 20 million lives in more than 100 countries where the burden of disease is greatest.

####

Melanie Brooks
Manager, Editorial Team
Communications Department

melanie.brooks@theglobalfund.org
M: +41 79 590 3047

Authors
Top