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The Global Fund Observer #GFO is the leading independent voice providing insight, analysis and opinion about the @GlobalFund . Subscribe to our free, twice-monthly newsletter. aidspan.org/en/c/editorial

Since 2010, the number of children acquiring HIV has dropped by 62% — the lowest since the 1980s. But 120,000 children still acquired HIV in 2024. And with funding cuts dismantling the prevention programmes that made this progress possible, we cannot afford to slow down now.

The Global Fund is making a strategic pivot for GC8, championing a future where countries progressively transition from external funding to robust self-reliance. This involves setting predictable timelines, crafting tailored transition pathways across its portfolio, and recalibrating co-financing with differentiated expectations. The goal is to drive sustainable health outcomes by empowering countries and aligning with global calls for health sovereignty, all while navigating the complexities of this transformative shift. aidspan.org/Blog/view/3261…

The clock is ticking. 2030 is closer than we think. Africa bears 96% of malaria cases and 97% of deaths yet malaria is preventable and treatable. Why are we still here? Despite global commitments led by the World Health Organization, progress is stalling and in some regions, reversing. Ending malaria is not just a health goal. It’s about health sovereignty, resilient systems, local manufacturing, and sustainable financing. Are we investing enough? Are we moving fast enough? Are we prioritizing what truly saves lives? Now we can. Now we must. #WorldMalariaDay #EndMalaria2030

While the need for African voices in global health governance is widely acknowledged, their presence and participation within the most influential technical bodies remain paramount. This article states that the Strategy Committee, as the central 'brain' of the Global Fund, is the most critical arena for African influence. We demonstrate that when African experts like Dr Mele Djalo and Dr Gerald Gwinji have a seat, they successfully shift policies to serve continental priorities better, proving that effective representation is the cornerstone of sustainable impact. aidspan.org/Blog/view/3261…

In March 2026, South Africa's Health DG Sandile Buthelezi and colleagues were arrested for fraud and theft of about one million rand from the Global Fund. This case is notable for the swift judicial response driven by an internal whistleblower and carried out by national bodies, the Hawks, a commercial court, and the President's Office. The article critiques the Global Fund's accountability system, suggests stronger ties between international oversight and domestic control, and proposes a balanced approach for a changing global health landscape. aidspan.org/Blog/view/3261…

Le Kenya fait face à un risque de résurgence du paludisme. Des élèves se mobilisent pour l’enrayer. stories.theglobalfund.org/le-kenya-fait-…

👏🏾👏🏾 Congratulations to 🇧🇸! The Bahamas are showing that eliminating mother-to-child transmission HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is possible. This achievement reflects political will for steady investment in primary health care and the dedication of health teams and people living with and most affected by HIV. When women can test early in pregnancy, start treatment without delay and stay in care, every child has a better chance of being born free of HIV. Today, no child should be born with HIV. #EMTCT #EndAIDS @DirOPSPAHO 🔗 unaids.org/en/resources/p…

#Lenacapavir could transform #HIV prevention in #Africa, but in #SouthAfrica the real issue is scale, not only politics. A country with the world’s largest HIV epidemic cannot rely on a limited initial supply of doses, especially when it already funds most of its HIV response and has pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. The article argues that the real test is whether innovation can be matched with sufficient supply, local production, and sustainable access. aidspan.org/Blog/view/3261…

Ending AIDS by 2030 would require an annual share of 0.2% of the current global health spending. ​ That is only $2 out of every $1000 spent on health worldwide.​ Learn more #GlobalAIDSStrategy2031:​ unaids.org/en/2026-2031-g…

The article states that the Global Fund’s Grant Cycle 8 allocation letters mark a major change in global health financing. With a 30% funding cut, they focus on “transition,” shifting from foreign aid to countries' financial responsibility. This is done through co-financing, integrating HIV, TB, and malaria services, and urging wealthier nations to fund their own programs. While new technologies like long-acting PrEP and Debt2Health swaps are more efficient, there are concerns marginalized groups may worsen. aidspan.org/Blog/view/3261…

📈HIV infections in PNG doubled since 2010 🚨 Only 1/4 of pregnant women living with HIV access treatment The government declared HIV a national crisis in 2025, and today, $13.5M of emergency funding is allocated to expand services for those most in need. unaids.org/en/resources/p…

The article argues that GC8 allocation letters show a Global Fund operating under tighter financial constraints and making more selective, politically shaped choices. While overall country allocations have fallen, the cuts are uneven: transition countries such as India, Guatemala, and South Africa face sharper reductions and clearer exit signals, while high-burden, highly dependent countries are relatively protected, though still under pressure. The piece concludes that GC8 may be coherent as a strategy of constraint, but its fairness will depend on whether countries can protect the most vulnerable services as donor support recedes. aidspan.org/Blog/view/3261…

We cannot end AIDS without ending stigma and discrimination and upholding human rights and gender equality in the HIV response.​ The 10-10-10 targets aim to make this a reality.​ #GlobalAIDSStrategy2031 ​ unaids.org/en/2026-2031-g…

This new issue of the GFO examines a Global Fund in transition, facing reduced resources and more political choices under GC8, with significant equity implications for the most vulnerable. It highlights tensions between innovation and access, particularly in South Africa, as well as evolving accountability dynamics through the case involving Sandile Buthelezi. Finally, it underscores the challenges of transitioning toward self-reliance and the strategic importance of African representation. aidspan.org/Blog/view/3260…

Each year, an estimated 600,000 people with TB in the African Region go undiagnosed or untreated. Yet, TB is preventable and curable. @WHOAFRO’s Dr Jean-Louis Abena explains why early detection is critical 👇🏿

The expansion of #Lenacapavir to twelve more #African nations. @aidspan #HIV #AIDS

The expansion of Lenacapavir to twelve more African nations extends a quiet revolution to millions of adolescent girls and young women who can now protect themselves without a pill bottle betraying their secret. A twice-yearly injection restores bodily autonomy, where daily oral PrEP invites interrogation or violence at home. If clinics offer fast, stigma-free appointments, this innovation will not only prevent infection but fundamentally shift power in young women's relationships across the continent. theglobalfund.org/en/updates/202…

PEP can be an important step after potential HIV exposure. Managing side effects is not just about comfort. It can help you stay consistent with treatment and complete the full course. #HIVAwareness Read more here: tinyurl.com/596r3zny

🇸🇳 Au Sénégal, le projet EnPrise 3 a renforcé la prise en charge du VIH pédiatrique dans 9 régions et maintenu 1 862 enfants dans les soins. Pôles régionaux de référence créés, soignants formés, meilleur accès aux soins, découvrez le résumé d’évaluation 👉 linitiative.expertisefrance.fr/nos-ressources…

The challenge facing global health today is not only organizational; it is also political, social, and deeply human. The crisis is not just about structures or budgets. It is about people, those whose lives are directly affected by funding cuts and reform proposals yet who have little say in how those reforms are designed. Ultimately, it is about the very soul of global health. An insightful article by Mr. @EricFleutelot thinkglobalhealth.org/article/global…