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Zim gets US$40m from global fund
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
February 07, 2008

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=30559&cat=1

ZIMBABWE has so far received nearly US$40 million out of the approved US$87,9 million from the Global Fund to Fight HIV and Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis, a Cabinet minister has said.

Speaking at the official hand-over of the vehicles, office equipment and furniture purchased through GFATM funds in Harare yesterday the Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr David Parirenyatwa said timely disbursements of the remaining grants depended on the use of the released amounts.

"Our ability to attract and retain support (from the GFATM) hinges strongly on programme performance and proper management of resources," Dr Parirenyatwa said.

So far out of seven proposals, Zimbabwe has only two approved while the other five were denied for what the fund termed "technical reasons".

In 2002, the agency approved US$14,1 million for HIV and Aids and US$8,5 million for malaria. Another US$35,9 million was approved for HIV and Aids, US$20,1 million for tuberculosis and US$9,2 million for malaria in 2006.

Dr Parirenyatwa, who chairs the GFATM country co-ordinating mechanism committee, said the Zimbabwe Association of Church Related Hospitals was assigned to procure non-medical requirements such as equipment, furniture, transport and renovations with the current grant.

ZACH then purchased 22 vehicles, 89 computers, 89 printers, 11 laptops, eight projectors, a photocopier, surge protectors and office furniture, which were officially handed over to their recipients yesterday. The new vehicles will bring to 30 the fleet procured under the fund.

Chivi, Karoi, Mazowe, Mutare, Lupane, Gweru, Mutoko, Gwanda, Bulilima and Chirumhanzu each received a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle while the other 12 4x4 double cab vehicles have been allocated for co-ordinating and monitoring programmes.

"The fight against HIV and Aids is a mammoth task which requires a great deal of mobility to facilitate implementation of HIV and Aids interventions. This hand-over ceremony will go a long way in addressing challenges of transport, which is critical in the fight against the pandemic," he said.

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