Re: Global Fund extends 260 million dollar assistance

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

It is indeed wonderful news that India is once again a recipient of the Global

Fund grant. The fourth round grant for India is 260 million dollars. India has

already a recipient of the Global Fund 2nd round grant of 130 million dollars,

which was approved and sanctioned more than a year back. The first round NGO

component (HIV/AIDS) consisted of a progressive public/private/government

partnership programme for ARV's. Three major NGO's The Freedom Foundation, ARCON

JJ hospital Mumbai, & YRG Care were to implement this 11.5 million project.

The latest fourth round GF grant has a 18 million NGO grant of which The Freedom

Foundation is one of the recipients.

When contacted Dr. Ashok Rau, Executive Trustee/CEO of The Freedom Foundation

said, " Though it is indeed exiting news that India has been approved for a huge

grant in the GF fourth round. I personally feel angry, frustrated and sad that

we still have not seen one rupee of these grants. It is important to understand

that people are dying of AIDS related illness. This kind of long delays of more

than one year is unacceptable. In fact who ever is responsible needs to be held

accountable for another form of AIDS Genocide in India "

When contacted the National Aids Control organisation admits that though they

have the money from the second round, but due to some administrative problems

within the Ministry that has delayed the release of funds.

This whole scenario also raises the issue of accountability of the Global Fund

to ensure that there is a process of timely release of funds to ensure

implementation and maximum utility of funds in India

Regards

Beckerman

Public Health Policy consultant

E-mail: <david_beckerman@...>