Media outlets examine Global Fund's future as it enters second decade

Feb 3 2012

The Guardian examines the future of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as it enters its second decade, writing, "Despite its staggering successes -- including helping put 3.3 million people on AIDS treatment, 8.6 million on anti-tuberculosis treatment and providing 230 million insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria -- the fund's recent troubles had threatened to overshadow its accomplishments as it prepared to mark a decade as the world's main financier of programs to fight these three global epidemics." The news service highlights a $750 million pledge to the Fund by Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discusses recent managerial changes within the Fund, and quotes a number of experts about future challenges (Kelly, 2/2).

In related news, PlusNews writes that the Fund's "appointment of a new general manager, Gabriel Jaramillo... could be a 'turning point' for the troubled organization, which has suffered from a funding crisis and allegations of corruption." The news service quotes a number of experts about what this change might mean for the Fund as it moves forward and writes, "Jaramillo's first day at the Global Fund is February 1, and he is expected to oversee a process of transformation recommended by the high-level panel that will move the Fund response from an emergency to a sustainable one" (2/2). AllAfrica.com examines funding challenges ahead, citing interviews by the news service with Aidspan Executive Director Bernard Rivers and recipients of Fund grants, as well as an examination of fund documents (Valentine, 1/31).