Hope Mafaranga

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is putting into place a new agreement for purchasing HIV medication that will save close to US$100 million over two years, money that can be reinvested in lifesaving drugs and programs all over the world. By using a Pooled Procurement Mechanism, the agreement means lower prices, swifter delivery and more predictable and sustainable long-term supply – delivering on the goals of the Global Fund’s Market Shaping Strategy. It also yields greater transparency, reducing risks and expenses for countries that implement programs treating people with HIV. The new approach will also deliver better HIV medication options for children. The improvements were achieved by bundling the purchase of, high volume drugs with lower volume ones which are sometimes more difficult to obtain. Negotiators also focused on improved shelf life and active pharmaceutical ingredient security. The Global Fund is entering agreement

Perhaps HIV/AIDS is not new on Ugandan landing sites. But at Katwe- Kabatoro landing site at the shores of Lake George in Kasese district, the scourge is taking another twist as women sell their bodies in exchange of fish. Susan Kabugho a 47 year old woman and a mother of six, does not see anything wrong with having more than five men  for her survival on the lake. “ There is no way I am going to look at my children starving yet there are men here willing to give me fish to feed my children. I have to improvise,” she says confidently. Kabugho is among the many women at the landing site with many men. She disclosures that she has one man who brings in fish, another one who pays rent, another for her children’s school fees , another who buys food for her family and one who takes her out for social events.  She describes such character of women as poverty, lack of land for food cultivation and unemployment. She says that most of them have sex with men in exchange of food and fis

  UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signaled their strong partnership with a renewed cooperation agreement to help countries achieve Fast-Track targets to end the AIDS epidemic as a global health threat by 2030. At the core of the agreement is an improved way of collaborating that strengthens coordination mechanisms, and information-sharing at all levels and mutual accountability. The UNAIDS Fast-Track approach emphasizes the need to focus on the counties, cities and communities most affected by HIV and recommends that resources be concentrated on the areas with the greatest impact. The new agreement will focus on maximizing support to countries and optimizing investments and impact at country level. Cooperation areas include strengthening strategic investments, jointly leveraging political commitment and supporting meaningful country dialogues with all stakeholders - including civil society and communities - to ensure that no one is left