FG expresses readiness to support global fund to eradicate AIDS, others

The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to support the Global Fund for the eradication of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the country.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, made the intension known when the ‘Global Fund (GF)’ team led by its Senior Fund Portfolio Manager, Jean-Thomas Nouboussi, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

A statement by Mr Willie Bassey, Director Information, office of the SGF, on Thursday said SGF was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri.

Mustapha said that the Federal Government was committed to supporting the organisation towards the attainment of its objectives.

He, however, thanked the Global Fund Team for its roles in the fight against AIDS in Africa and the world at large, he assured the organisation that the government would step up its domestic resources as part of its commitment toward the fight against those diseases.

Speaking earlier, the team leader, Nouboussi, thanked Nigeria for its efforts in mobilising resources toward the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

He urged Nigeria to step up efforts in paying the remaining replenishment commitment and to also increase its contribution to 30 per cent as they were preparing for its ‘Seventh Replenishment’ in Washington DC.

“The organisation is working with the Ministry of Health and other donor partners on the mobilisation and utilization of funds from governments in alleviating the plight of patients living with AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. ”

Also, Director- General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Gambo Aliyu, said the purpose of the visit by the GF was to thank the government of Nigeria for its financial support in the fight against AIDS.

In addition, to also seek for support toward the success of the Seventh Replenishment scheduled to hold in September in New York.

“Global Fund is a worldwide movement to defeat HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer, more equitable future.

“The organisation raises and invests four billion dollar a year to fight the deadliest infectious diseases, challenge the injustice that fuels them and strengthen the health systems in more than 100 of the hardest hit countries, ” he said.