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Global Fund rejects Zimbabwe's final appeal
Bertha Shoko, The Standard (Zimbabwe)
October 10, 2004

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/read.php?st_id=705

ZIMBABWE'S appeal to have the Global Fund reconsider its application for a US$218 grant meant for HIV/Aids intervention programmes has been rejected, dashing plans by the government to roll out an Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) to more than 1.8 million people living with HIV/Aids.

Jon Liden, head of communications at the Global Fund, said on Thursday that Zimbabwe's appeal, had again failed to get approval from the board because of "technical weaknesses".

The country's appeal was in two parts, one covering its application for HIV/Aids funding and the other ocusing on TB. Zimbabwe's two appeals were among thirteen others, which were considered.

"Of these, three grants were recommended for funding. The two Zimbabwe grants applications were not among these three," Liden said.

"The Board decided today (Thursday) to approve the three recommended grants (Niger, malaria; Russia, TB, and Uzbekistan, TB). Zimbabwe will therefore have to apply again in Round Five."

Liden said though the date for the submissions for Round Five had not yet been set it was likely that it would be announced at the upcoming Global Fund Board meeting to be held in Arusha, Tanzania, in November.

Liden dismissed reports that Zimbabwe was being sidelined on political grounds, saying there were no political considerations in approving grants.

"Zimbabwe's proposals were reviewed by the Global Funds Technical Review Panel, which consists of independent experts from all over the world," Liden said.

"Their mandate is to look only at the technical aspects of any proposal. They placed the Zimbabwean proposals in Category Three (Encouraged to re-submit) due to technical weaknesses with the proposals.

"The Global Fund's sole concern in approving grants is that results are achievable and that the grant money will benefit all those who need the assistance," he said.

Liden said the Global Fund fully recognised the needs in Zimbabwe and was confident the Fund would eventually be able to finance large-scale interventions to prevent and provide treatment for HIV/Aids, TB and malaria in Zimbabwe.

The Minister of Health and Child Welfare, David Parirenyatwa, could not be reached for comment.

The Global Fund is an independent organisation set up to mobilise resources for the fight against malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/Aids throughout the world.

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