This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
December 27, 2019
As the world marks the progress made in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, it is clear that much work remains to be done to achieve the ambitious goal of eradicating these diseases by 2030.
The United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development has set a target of ending these pandemics, but despite progress, the number of deaths remains high, and new infections continue to occur.
The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria has played a crucial role in scaling up prevention and treatment, with 18.9 million people receiving antiretroviral therapy for HIV in 2018, 5.3 million tuberculosis patients treated, and 131 million mosquito nets distributed.
However, to achieve the goal of eradicating these diseases, it is not enough to simply expand access to treatment; a sharp reduction in new infections is also necessary.
Clear political leadership and sustained investment in critical capacities, such as well-trained community health workers, cost-effective supply chains, quality data systems, and well-equipped laboratories, are essential to success.
Furthermore, barriers to health access, such as user fees, human rights-related impediments, or gender inequalities, must be dismantled to ensure that health services reach the poorest and most marginalised.
Active community engagement will be crucial in this effort, and innovative coalitions comprising multilateral and bilateral development organisations must be formed to leverage their complementary strengths and strengthen national capacities.
Such co-ordinated support is needed most urgently in regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, that have weak institutions and infrastructure, and are particularly vulnerable to security threats and environmental crises.
The recent partnership agreement between the Global Fund and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is a step in the right direction, as it avoids silo-based activity and promotes greater convergence and synergy among programmes to fight HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria, and initiatives to strengthen health systems.
By combining their strengths, the Global Fund and AFD are reaffirming their commitment to ensuring effective cooperation and coordinated action to eradicate HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, and to building strong and resilient health systems, particularly in the most vulnerable countries.
To end the HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria epidemics by 2030, a business-as-usual approach will not suffice; we must step up the fight and invest more in health systems and forge effective new partnerships.
