Global Fund pulls grants from mismanaging countries

Affected countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Togo, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tanzania, say the grant freeze will badly affect their HIV/AIDS control programs. Since its inception in 2001, the GF has helped provide antiretroviral treatment to 600 000 HIV/AIDS patients; the new financing over 5 years will support about 200 000. Rosie Vanek, a spokesperson for GF, told CMAJ that they were strengthening management of the grants and the GF secretariat. This will include improving harmonization with partners to avoid overlap and improved technical support. "As in the case of the suspension of grants to Uganda in 2005, GF takes any indication of misuse of funds very seriously," Vanek says.