By Elishya Perera
MONTRÉAL, Québec (CWBN)_The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world, applauded Canada for its recent contribution to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 response.
The government of Canada allocated CAD 65 million (US$51.2 million) to support low- and middle-income countries in their battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes procurement and deployment of millions of COVID-19 rapid diagnostics tests.
According to a statement issued by the Fund on Monday (Dec 14), the contribution would also be significant in enhancing the fight against the pandemic, while securing the gains made against HIV, Tuberculosis and malaria.
This recent allocation is a part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s CAD 120 million commitment to the ACT-Accelerator, the global collaboration initiated by the G20, to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
AHF President Michael Weinstein applauded Canada for setting an example in supporting developing nations amidst the pandemic.
“COVID-19 has been devastating on its own, but it’s also endangering progress made in battling HIV, TB and malaria—particularly in developing countries,” he said. “And while there are still many countries not stepping up to help developing nations, Canada is setting the example by supporting those who truly need it. We applaud this significant contribution by Canada to the Global Fund’s efforts and encourage other countries to follow its lead.”
The Global Fund is an international financing and partnership organization which collaborates with governments, civil society, technical agencies and the private sector, to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics.
The fund has already provided US$825 million to more than 100 countries to reinforce fragile healthcare systems, to fight COVID-19, protect front-line health workers, and adapt lifesaving HIV, TB and malaria programs.
Together with ACT-Accelerator partners, the Fund has also provided more than 33 million COVID-19 tests to developing nations, and 73 million daily kits of personal protective equipment for health workers.
“We cannot let COVID-19 become another battle half-won, like those against HIV, TB and malaria, where much of the world lives free from their threat, while the poorest and most vulnerable still die. We must fight COVID-19 everywhere. It is not only the just thing to do, it is also the best way to achieve true global health security,” Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, said.
