APLMA welcomes the MOU between Global Fund and Asian Development Bank

Dec 8, Nay Pyi Taw – The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) applauds the health financing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today between the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculous and Malaria and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The MOU supports the financing, design, and implementation of country-led programs to fight HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, and build resilient health systems in ADB member countries that are eligible for Global Fund financing.

“We know that for countries in our region there is a funding gap between what is needed to eliminate malaria and what is available,” said Dr Ben Rolfe CEO of APLMA. “This MOU will make it easier for countries to access new funding sources that are critical as we work towards elimination by 2030.”

The MOU lays out a framework for countries that currently receive Global Fund grants to leverage additional funding from the ADB, create clear and transparent financing frameworks and move towards a more sustainable funding system. Until now in such countries, the two funding flows have been separate but can now be ‘blended’ to achieve more impact and efficiency.

“The blended financing model is attractive to governments who can increase financing while decreasing risk,” said Patrik Silborn”, APLMA’s Senior Director of Financing and Resource Mobilization. “It is also positive for addressing regional challenges, because there is the possibility of greater collaboration.

The partnership will give countries access to a significant amount of financing. For the period 2017–2020, the Global Fund has allocated over $2 billion to countries in Asia and the Pacific. ADB’s Strategy 2020 is committed to expanding health sector investments to 3–5 percent of the bank’s total operations, equalling $1 billion of investment in health by 2020.