Global Fund slashes Pakistan’s health grants amid rise in HIV, TB and Malaria
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Representational image of HIV blood test tube. — APP/File
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ISLAMABAD: In a major shock to Pakistan’s efforts to overcome Pakistan’s diseases, the World Fund for fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has significantly reduced the country for its financial support for the ongoing grant cycle, citing the need for financial support and re -creation.
This decision comes at a time when all three diseases – HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and malaria – are growing rapidly in Pakistan, and the main health programs are suffering from leadership space and mismanagement.
According to an official letter sent to Pakistani authorities through the World Fund, the country has allocated total money for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria programs under Grant Cycle 7 (GC7), which has been reduced to US $ 250.8 million. Funds were actually distributed to key national and international partners in Pakistan for prevention, diagnosis and treatment services.
The most difficult affected is the national TB control program, which has dropped from US $ 145.7 million to US $ 129.9 million.
The HIV/AIDS component implemented by the National AIDS Control Program and UNDP Pakistan has declined by more than US $ 4 million. Malaria programs also observe the reduction of funds in various implementation companies.
This reduction has emerged between the growing concerns in the World Fund and Pakistan’s health community that the previous grant was not used effectively or transparently. Several health officials and donor representatives have expressed dissatisfaction with delays, low performance and financial mismanagement, which has allegedly caused a number of programs.
The further problem is that the Federal Government’s Common Management Unit (CMU) – the National Coordination Body monitoring HIV, TB, and malaria programs is currently without a permanent head. In addition, all three are being run by full -time national program managers without control programs for individual diseases.
The Ministry of National Health Services has recently promoted these high -level posts, but experts have warned that Pakistan’s fight against these deadly diseases will not be dangerous unless qualified, capable and honest professionals are appointed through a transparent process.
In the meantime, the burden of the disease is increasing. According to official estimates, more than 1,200 new HIV cases are being detected every month, health experts fear that the original transmission can exceed 3,000 every month due to under porting and weak monitoring system. Pakistan is currently one of the top countries in the region of Asia Pacific, which is facing the increasingly growing HIV epidemic.
The TB situation is even more worrisome as the World Health Organization estimates that more than 610,000 TB cases are found in Pakistan annually, which is one of the five top five top countries globally. Pakistan is also a hotspot for drug trafficking TB. Malaria, rural and flood -affected areas have long been neglected due to its concentration, now increasing once again, climate change and poor vector control are helping local outbreaks.
The World Fund’s letter emphasizes that the decision to reduce Pakistan’s allocated amount is from the obstacles of the global donor, but Pakistani authorities also demand that they make the best use of domestic resources as well as the remaining grants.
The Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), which oversees the implementation of the World Fund in Pakistan, has been asked to re -establish and finalize funding projects by July 14, 2025. The failure to do so will result in automatic implementation of the revised low grant structure.
This development has sent waves through civil society organizations, program officials, and international health partners through Pakistan’s health sector. “We’re not just losing money – we’re endangering lives,” said a senior HIV program official, on condition of anonymity. “Without leadership and proper accountability, we can lose more donors’ confidence in the future.”
The situation indicates the urgent need of the National Health Services to restore reputation and operational capacity in these important programs.
With low -funding confirmation, experts have warned that Pakistan should work fast to increase the prevention of deaths and to prevent further malfunction in its health systems.
