Govt says Global Fund has not stopped funding in Pakistan

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination has dismissed statements that Global Fund, Geneva-based international financing, and partnership organization, has stopped funding the Pakistan program.

The ministry added that on the contrary the funding is likely to go up from USD 200 million to close to USD 300mn, informed the ministry spokesperson.

The remarks come after PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the Global Fund, has expressed dissatisfaction over the utilization of its grants in Pakistan to fight tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria and decided to invoke special measures to ensure "accountable use" of the funds. The Fund has placed $ 271 million in its Additional Safeguard Policy (ASP)."

The ministry said that Global fund had concerns about the disease pattern of HIV Aids and TB, and need for increased funding by the Federal Government and the Provincial governments. Pakistan has since engaged Global Fund at top level, informed the spokesperson. Federal Secretary Health held meetings with top leadership of Global Fund. The meetings have been very successful and the Global Fund is looking forward to an enhanced partnership with Government of Pakistan to fight the three diseases.

The ministry said that Pakistan is going to invest more than twice the Global Fund grant over the next three years with Federal Government leading the way by providing matching grants to all provincial governments for every rupee spent.

The ministry expressed that it is regretful that fight against diseases being a national cause, has been politicised by the opposition.