The Portfolio Committee on Health wishes to express its gratitude to the multilateral organisation Global Fund for its continued support of the fight against TB, HIV and AIDS in the country.
On Thursday last week, cabinet announced that South Africa would receive R3 billion rand in funding from Global Fund. According to a statement issued by government, this is the largest amount the country has received from a multilateral organisation to fight these diseases.
The Global Fund galvanises support for the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria, working with partners to support the most effective prevention and treatment.
Chairperson for the Portfolio Committee, Dr Bevan Goqwana, applauded the Global Fund. “This gesture will assist government in achieving its goals in the fight against HIV and Aids,” he said.
During this year’s budget speech, the Minister of Health quoted figures from StatsSA, which found that TB was the number one killer in the country in 2010.
The relationship between TB, HIV and AIDS is a major burden for South Africa’s health sector. The R3 billion that has been allocated to the National Department of Health by the Global Fund will greatly assist in the provision of antiretroviral treatment, TB screening and other government priorities, said Dr Goqwana.
The funding will also enable the department to respond to the National Development Plan, which indicates that by 2030 South Africa should aim for a generation of under 20s that are free of HIV and Aids, and also aim to reduce TB transmission, added Dr Goqwana.
As part of parliaments mandate in performing oversight, Dr Goqwana promised that the committee will ensure that the money will go where it is needed.
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