Criminal Justice sector takes lead in fight against HIV, TB and Malaria with Global Fund support

 

Criminal Justice sector takes lead in fight against HIV, TB and Malaria with Global Fund support
By Hope Mafaranga 
Jinja

Uganda continues to grapple with the burden of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria three diseases that have strained the country’s health system and affected socio-economic development for decades. According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda is home to more than 1.4 million people living with HIV, while TB and malaria remain leading causes of illness and death, particularly among vulnerable populations.

As the country works towards eliminating HIV as a public health threat by 2030, multi-sectoral approaches have become central to the national response.

It is against this backdrop that the Criminal Justice Sector (CJS) has stepped onto the frontline of Uganda’s fight against HIV, TB and malaria, with critical support from the Global Fund.

Traditionally viewed as an enforcer of law and order, the sector is increasingly emerging as a key partner in public health protection.

Institutions such as the Uganda Prisons Service, Uganda Police Force detention centres and remand facilities have long been recognised as high-risk environments for the spread of infectious diseases due to overcrowding and limited access to healthcare.

In response to these challenges, the Criminal Justice Sector, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with funding from the Global Fund, has embarked on comprehensive disease prevention, screening and treatment programmes across correctional facilities.

“Let me start by acknowledging the support from the Global Fund to Uganda as a country in the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria which have plagued us for decades. Support from Global Fund is very welcome and timely,” said Festo Nsenga, the Deputy Registrar, Inspectorate of Courts.

Nsenga explained that due to the devastating effects of HIV, TB and malaria on human capital development, government is making deliberate efforts to minimise their impact by 2030.

He made the remarks while closing a one-week orientation workshop for officials of the Criminal Justice Sector Program Management Unit (PMU), comprising the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service and other stakeholders, held at Nile Village Hotel in Jinja City.

Dr Benard Ndiwalana left the head of clinical services at the Uganda police with Festo Nsenga middle the high court registrar and Barbra Msinde the program coordinator in the office of the DPP speaking to the press.

“These efforts are targeting everyone using a multi-sectoral approach  to ensure that no one is left  behind,” he said.

Nsenga noted that the Ministry of Health came on board after the realisation that while the DPP carries out its constitutional mandate, gaps existed in the respect and promotion of people’s rights specifically the right to health during interaction with criminal justice processes.

“This has given birth to the ‘Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) initiative, whose overall aim is to be cognizant and address the barriers curtailing the full realization of people’s rights, particularly key and vulnerable populations including people in police and prison detention,” he noted.

He added that the core role of the Program Management Unit is to ensure that the BDB initiative is successfully implemented and embedded within Criminal Justice Sector processes.

Barbra Masinde, the Global Fund Coordinator in the Office of the DPP, disclosed that the Global Fund has so far disbursed UGX 5 billion to support Uganda’s Criminal Justice Sector in mitigating the effects of HIV, TB and malaria.

She said the DPP’s office began implementing the programme in 2018 under what was then known as the New Funding Model. The criminal justice sector, she explained, was brought on board following a baseline survey that revealed significant impediments to people’s access to their rights, particularly the right to health.

“Whereas we are responsible for the rights to justice in all our different sectors, it was noted that in dispensing our individual mandates we affect people’s rights, specifically the rights to access to health, which we have now taken up through this initiative,” she said.

Masinde pointed out that major health challenges in correctional facilities go beyond individual institutions, citing inadequate funding amid competing government priorities.

She added that structural constraints such as small and congested cells in police stations and prisons pose significant hurdles.

“Efforts are underway to mitigate these challenges by working to establish isolation rooms for suspected individuals, which will help prevent the spread of these diseases and ensure that those who are sick receive the care they need,” she said.

Dr Bernard Ndiwalana, the Head of Clinical Services at the Uganda Police Force, said the intervention across facilities is aimed at identifying individuals suspected of having TB or malaria through decentralised screening conducted by trained non-medical personnel.

“We are training non-medical personnel to screen for HIV, TB and malaria following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) signed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), which will enable us to identify potential cases early and refer them to health facilities for further management. Those found to be on treatment will be maintained, thereby improving access,” she said.

She further noted that Uganda aims to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030, in line with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets.

Innovation

 In Africa, women are endlessly creative when there’s no umbrella, she simply slices a calabash in half and voilà, a custom-made sun shield to save her child from the scorching sun. Picture By Hope Mafaranga.

IAS announces Geneva as host city for IAS 2027

 

IAS announces Geneva as host city for IAS 2027

By Hope Mafaranga

GENEVA, Switzerland

The International AIDS Society (IAS) has announced that Geneva will host the 14th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2027), scheduled for July 11–15, 2027.

The conference will take place in person in Geneva and virtually, drawing an estimated 5,000 participants from more than 130 countries.

IAS President-Elect and IAS 2027 International Co-Chair Prof. Kenneth Ngure said the meeting comes at a critical moment in the global HIV response, marked by major scientific advances but persistent barriers to access.

“We now have a game-changing toolkit that includes long-acting treatment and prevention options that could end the HIV pandemic. But for many of the people who need them the most, these innovations remain behind a door locked by abiding access issues and shrinking funding ,” Ngure said.

Ngure, an associate professor of global health and former dean of the School of Public Health at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya, said the Geneva conference would focus on translating science into impact.

“IAS 2027 will bring together scientists, programme leaders, policy makers and communities in Geneva, long known as a hub for global health and human rights,” he said. “Together, we will take stock of the latest discoveries, chart progress in building and rebuilding research and programmes, and find the key to opening the door so that these tools reach everyone, everywhere.”

IAS 2027 Local Co-Chair Dr. Alexandra Calmy welcomed the decision to host the conference in Geneva, describing it as timely and strategic. Calmy heads the HIV Unit in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Geneva University Hospitals (HUG).

“Hosting IAS 2027 in Geneva at this critical time makes perfect sense. It will give us a solid platform for global collaboration in the HIV response and renewing and building partnerships to take us forward,” Calmy said.

Geneva has a long-standing reputation as a global centre for public health and human rights, hosting numerous international organisations and non-governmental bodies central to the HIV response.

The city is also home to Geneva University Hospitals and its specialised HIV Unit, which provides comprehensive and non-discriminatory care.

It is additionally known for the “Geneva patient”, one of 10 people worldwide considered to have been cured of HIV.

Switzerland is among several high-income countries approaching the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. HIV prevalence stands at about 0.2%, while new HIV infections have declined by 20% since 2010 to fewer than 500 in 2023. AIDS-related deaths have also dropped by 19%, to fewer than 100 in the same year.

The country’s HIV response is grounded in human rights and evidence-based approaches. Switzerland is a global leader in harm reduction for people who use drugs, has legalised sex work, simplified the legal process for gender change, supports reintegration of former prisoners through training programmes, recognises same-sex marriage and ensures people living with HIV have access to healthcare and professional support.

IAS 2027 is expected to serve as a major platform for advancing scientific knowledge, strengthening partnerships and renewing global commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.

A new era dawns for GAVI, as board underlines strategic shift towards country ownership and increased support for the most vulnerable By Hope Mafaranga

 A new era dawns for GAVI, as board underlines strategic shift towards country ownership and increased support for the most vulnerable   

By Hope Mafaranga

 

The Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance today concluded its final meeting before the start of Gavi’s next strategic period from 2026 to 2030 (Gavi 6.0), taking a series of decisions that will further place country ownership at the heart of the Gavi model, increase focus on protecting the most vulnerable despite financial constraints, and support expanding equitable access to key vaccines. 

 

In a major strategic shift that further centers country ownership, nearly 90% of the budget available to Gavi for vaccine procurement in its next strategic period will be allocated directly to countries through “country vaccine budgets”.

 

In a time of financial constraints, countries will have full control of how to optimise and prioritise immunisation programmes per their national strategies and context. 

 

By shifting away from rolling applications, country vaccine budgets ensure countries that apply more quickly do not have an advantage in terms of access to Gavi financing.

 

They also mean that all countries have an advance view of resources available for the next five years  and can clearly identify in advance areas to supplement with domestic financing.

 

“Through the Gavi Leap, we are putting in place an ambitious programme of reforms that will enable countries to have increased agency and ownership over use of resources and decreased administrative burden, which will help our Alliance achieve its programmatic objectives.

 

These changes are well on their way to implementation, with grant management reform – a key pillar of the Gavi Leap – already in place and a year-long Secretariat review that will see our headcount reduce by 33% now complete.

 

I want to thank the Board for their support and guidance as we migrate to our new country-centric operating model and pay tribute to José Manuel Barroso for his leadership as Chair of the Gavi Board over the past five years,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

 

Building on an earlier decision, Gavi’s Board also finalised an approach to further sharpen the Alliance’s focus on the most vulnerable. Gavi will overall increase its support for fragile and conflict-affected settings by 15% compared to its last five-year strategic period, despite cuts elsewhere.

 

 As a result, more than a third of Gavi’s overall funding for countries will be focused on the 25% most vulnerable children. Allocations for country vaccine budgets will also prioritise the lowest income countries with the highest number of deaths amongst children under five.

 

 A new agile funding mechanism, called the Gavi Resilience Mechanism, will provide flexible support to countries and partners in fragile and humanitarian settings around the world.

 

The Board also provisionally approved the addition of nine-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to Gavi’s portfolio of offerings to countries  signalling Gavi’s continued commitment to fighting cervical cancer.

 

Gavi’s ambitious push to revitalise the HPV programme has saved more than a million lives. The Board also agreed to add vaccines against tuberculosis, mpox, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to the list of priority antigens supported by Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), a financing mechanism dedicated to supporting efforts to build sustainable regional manufacturing on the African continent.  

 

New approach aligns ambitions with available resources 

Gavi’s Board also finalised decisions designed to recalibrate its ambitious strategy in line with available resources, which are estimated to reach US$ 10 billion for the next five years.

 

In order to protect funding for country vaccine budgets, the Board agreed to reduce Gavi’s financial forecast for global stockpiles by US$ 200 million and halve the US$ 200 million budget set aside for vaccine procurement contingencies.

 

It also agreed that US$ 100 million in co-financing waivers for fragile & conflict-affected countries would be financed through a separate pot set aside for funding work in these settings.

 

Building on decisions made at its June 2025 meeting, the Board also agreed on a final set of programmatic choices that will reduce the overall cost of procuring vaccines for the next strategic period.

 

 

These savings will be achieved by better targeting introductions and campaigns across several vaccine programmes. In June 2025, the Board agreed that Gavi will introduce country co-financing requirements for preventive campaigns, in line with those currently implemented for routine vaccine programmes.

 

To ensure a smooth transition in 2026, the Board has now approved a one-year waiver of these co-financing requirements for preventive campaigns in the lowest-income countries. 

 

Board Chair reflects on an unprecedented period in Gavi’s history 

This week also represented the final meeting presided over by Board Chair Professor José Manuel Barroso. 

 

Appointed in 2020, Professor Barroso began his term in 2021 and has led the Gavi Board for the entirety of the organisation’s current five-year strategic period. As former President of the European Commission and former Prime Minister of Portugal, Professor Barroso played a critical role in steering Gavi as it delivered on its objectives for Gavi 5.0 while co-leading a historic global emergency vaccine response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Reflecting on his five years leading Gavi, Prof. José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, said: “As Gavi nears the end of its fifth strategy period, it is possible to look back at the last five years with a historic sense of accomplishment in a period marked by redefined multilateralism in a multipolar world.

 

 More than ever the Gavi model of public private partnership is fit for purpose and can serve as a blueprint for future initiatives. As we look ahead to the next period starting in January, Gavi is in a strong position: not just to protect more children than ever before but to help shape a new model where countries themselves drive their own vaccination agenda and achieve the Alliance overall goal of protecting our future and strengthening country self-reliance.

 

 As my tenure as Chair draws to a close, I want to thank all of Gavi’s stakeholders for the role they have played in our collective success, and wish my successor, the Rt Hon Helen Clark my very best wishes in her new role”. 

 

During its fifth strategic period from 2021 to 2025, Gavi exceeded the target of achieving a 10% reduction in under-five mortality in supported countries, is ahead of schedule to meet the target of 300 million children immunised against a range of diseases, and is on track to reach its targets of 7-8 million deaths averted and US$ 80 billion generated in economic savings.

 

 In 2024 alone, Gavi-supported vaccination programmes saved at least 1.7 million lives in 2024, the highest number recorded in a single year. Critical new efforts to introduce malaria vaccines and revitalise HPV vaccination programmes against cervical cancer also achieved their targets.

 

While delivering on these goals, the Alliance also helped the world respond to infectious disease emergencies – supporting an unprecedented number of outbreak response efforts, delivering 2 billion COVID-19 vaccines to 146 countries via COVAX, and enabling recovery of routine immunisation coverage after the pandemic through “the Big Catch-Up” campaign.   

 

Helen Clark named as new Chair of the Gavi Board

 

Helen Clark named as new Chair of the Gavi Board

	The Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance  on October 6, 2025  appointed Rt Hon Helen Clark as its new Chair, beginning in January 2026.   Helen Clark served as Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008. Following her departure from the New Zealand Parliament in 2009, she served two terms as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, completing her tenure in 2017. She is currently a President of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London and has served on a range of other public good boards and commissions.   The appointment follows an eight-month search process that considered a total of 240 candidates for the role. The Gavi Board’s Search Committee cited Clark’s deep experience at the top of national and international government, her experience chairing multistakeholder organisations similar to Gavi, as well as her track record as a leader and mentor.   “I am honoured to be selected as the next Chair of Gavi. For 25 years, Gavi has worked to protect children from preventable disease and thereby helped countries grow, prosper and become more self-sufficient. The coming years will bring many challenges for Gavi, but also huge opportunities, and I am excited to play a role in helping it meet its most ambitious goals yet. I am also honoured to succeed José Manuel, who has led Gavi for the past five years,” Helen Clark said.   When she assumes the role of Chair in January 2026, Clark will replace Professor José Manuel Barroso, who served two terms as Gavi Chair from 2021–2025. During his tenure, Professor Barroso helped steer the organisation through first the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently Gavi’s efforts to restore coverage of routine immunisation. He also oversaw a period of Gavi’s history in which malaria vaccinations were introduced for the first time, HPV vaccines were dramatically scaled up, and marked progress was made reaching zero-dose children.   “When I joined Gavi in 2021, the world was in throes of the world’s worst public health crisis in a hundred years. I have been humbled to serve as Chair over the subsequent five years as Gavi helped to deliver two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines, restore routine immunisation coverage and introduce powerful new tools such as the malaria vaccine. While I look back with pride, I can also look forward with confidence, as Helen has an excellent track record as a leader and as a champion of global health, development, and many other issues central to Gavi’s mission,” said José Manuel Barroso.   During his two terms as Board Chair, Professor Barroso oversaw the transition of leadership of the Secretariat, culminating in the appointment of Dr Sania Nishtar as Chief Executive Officer in January 2024. Professor Barroso also oversaw Gavi’s successful replenishment, securing funding for Gavi’s next strategic period, starting in 2026. Helen Clark will be joining Gavi at the beginning its sixth five-year strategic period. Among the priorities for Gavi during this time will be an increased focus on improving immunisation services in fragile and conflict-affected regions and countries, as well as executing a reform programme, the Gavi Leap, that was initiated in 2025 with a view to placing the countries Gavi supports at the heart of its operating model.   “Helen is a respected global leader whose knowledge and experience will be of tremendous value to Gavi as we navigate our next strategic period. I am delighted to welcome her as our next Chair of the Board, and I look forward to working with her closely as we seek to meet our most ambitious goals yet, said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “I also want to express my most sincere appreciation to José Manuel, for steering Gavi with great skill through some of the most challenging times in its history. José Manuel leaves Gavi in an excellent position to address the challenges ahead and we are grateful that he will continue to be a friend and supporter.”

Gavi’s immunisation programmes deliver a major economic boost to countries

 Gavi’s immunisation programmes deliver a major economic boost to countries, with nearly US$20 billion in economic benefits generated in 2024 alone

By Hope Mafaranga

 

 Vaccination programmes in lower-income countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance saved at least 1.7 million lives in 2024, the highest number recorded in a single year, according to Gavi’s Annual Progress Report published today.

 

The number of lives saved 400,000 more than in 2023 was one highlight in a strong year for immunisation across Gavi-supported countries, with significant progress also made in immunising children in some of the world’s most conflict-afflicted countries.

 

The impact generated by immunisation extended beyond public health. In 2024, Gavi countries garnered nearly US$20 billion in economic benefits as a result of having healthier populations, reduced healthcare costs and more productive communities. Since Gavi was established in 2000, immunisation has generated a massive US$280 billion in economic returns, clear evidence that vaccines support stability and growth.

 

This solid foundation, in turn, has enabled countries to increasingly assume greater responsibility of their immunisation programmes, with countries paying a record US$255 million towards the cost of their own vaccines in 2024.

 

“Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective interventions in development, not just in terms of protecting human health but in helping economies to grow and communities to thrive. The record-breaking progress achieved in 2024 is testament to continued commitment from implementing countries and our donors to protect lives and keep our world safe from deadly yet preventable diseases,” said Jose Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board. 

 

Historic year for malaria vaccinations, immunisation in conflict zones

The past year also saw the fastest routine vaccine rollout in the Alliance’s history: the world’s first malaria vaccines, first deployed widely in 2024, and now protecting millions of children across 23 African countries representing more than 70% of the world’s malaria burden.

 

 Beyond malaria, 2024 saw a rise in coverage across all vaccines supported by Gavi, including in some of the most challenging environments - fragile and conflict-affected settings where health systems are under strain and access is limited. Eight of the twelve countries Gavi classifies as experiencing fragility and conflict saw gains in basic immunisation coverage, including major improvements in countries like Mali, Syria and Haiti.

 

This upward trend reflects a growing national commitment to immunization, backed by increased investments from Gavi in reaching the most vulnerable communities in fragile and humanitarian settings. However, conflict-affected countries like Sudan and Yemen saw major declines, underscoring the challenges of protecting children and communities in these settings.

 

“Every person – no matter how hard to reach – should have access to the lifesaving power of vaccines. That vision is both very simple and immensely complex to bring to life. The historic progress we have made towards this goal is thanks to incredible commitment from governments, health care workers and communities all over the world,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi.

 

 “As we look to the end of the decade, Gavi will continue to be a steadfast partner in this effort, engaging our donors to ensure we are fully funded and implementing our ambitious Gavi Leap reform programme, so that together we can protect more children, against more diseases, than ever before.”

 

Since 2000, the wide-reaching impact of immunisation has helped reshape the future of health and health security: protecting lives, strengthening systems, and advancing equity.

 

Today, over 1.2 billion unique children have been immunized against a range of deadly diseases through routine immunisation, surpassing Alliance goals ahead of schedule. Beyond routine vaccinations, more than 2.1 billion vaccinations have been delivered through preventive campaigns, protecting communities from deadly diseases, while hundreds of outbreak response efforts have swiftly contained emerging threats before they could escalate and cut potential cases and deaths by nearly 60%. Together these efforts have prevented at least 20.6 million deaths between 2000 and 2024.

 

“Even in the face of strained health systems, conflicts, insecurity, poverty and inequality, Gavi keeps showing that progress on vaccination is possible when there is strong partnership with countries and partners including WHO," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. This commitment to immunization for all is protecting generations of children against life-threatening diseases and helping communities thrive. Looking ahead, sustained investment, collaboration and trust will be essential to ensure immunization remains a cornerstone of global health action and equity.”

 

Leaping into the future

These achievements reflect both the scale of Gavi’s collaboration with public and private sector partners around the world, as well as sustained commitment to immunization.

 

Most importantly, it reflects the leadership of countries who continue to prioritise the health and well-being of their population. In its next strategic period, Gavi is focused on expanding its country-led approach through its Gavi Leap reform programme, to make immunisation programmes even more responsive to the unique needs of each country, region and community and to generate greater synergies with partners - driving efficiency and improving delivery at the last mile.

 

 

Ebola outbreak confirmed in DRC

Democratic Republic of the Congo declares Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai Province

By Hope Mafaranga 

Kinshasa – Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province where 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported as of 4 September 2025.

The outbreak has affected Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai Province where health officials have been carrying out investigations after the cases and the deaths reported presented with symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and haemorrhage. Samples tested on 3 September at the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research in the capital Kinshasa confirmed the cause of the outbreak as Ebola Zaire caused by Ebola virus disease.   

A national Rapid Response Team joined by World Health Organization (WHO) experts in epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory and case management has been deployed to Kasai Province to rapidly strengthen disease surveillance, treatment and infection prevention and control in health facilities. Provincial risk communication experts have also been deployed to reach communities and help them understand how to protect themselves.

Additionally, WHO is delivering two tonnes of supplies including personal protective equipment, mobile laboratory equipment and medical supplies. The area is difficult to reach, taking at least one day of driving from Tshikapa (the provincial capital of Kasai), with few air links.   

“We’re acting with determination to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Banking on the country’s long-standing expertise in controlling viral disease outbreaks, we’re working closely with the health authorities to quickly scale up key response measures to end the outbreak as soon as possible.”   

Case numbers are likely to increase as the transmission is ongoing. Response teams and local teams will work to find the people who may be infected and need to receive care, to ensure everyone is protected as quickly as possible.    

The country has a stockpile of treatments, as well as 2000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, effective to protect against this type of Ebola, already prepositioned in Kinshasa that will be quickly moved to Kasai to vaccinate contacts and frontline health workers.   

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s last outbreak of Ebola virus disease affected the north-western Equateur province in April 2022. It was brought under control in under three months thanks to the robust efforts of the health authorities. In Kasai province, previous outbreaks of Ebola virus disease were reported in 2007 and 2008. In the country overall, there have been 15 outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976.    

Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans. It is transmitted to people through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats (thought to be the natural hosts). Human-to-human transmission is through direct contact with blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, objects that have been contaminated with body fluids from a person sick with Ebola or the body of a person who died from Ebola.