Government to Extend Global Funding

The U.S. government has announced first-round priorities for its new Global Health Initiative. The six-year, $63 billion initiative seeks to improve health outcomes and strengthen health systems to deliver comprehensive lifesaving health programs, including HIV services especially for women, babies, and children in over 80 countries.

"By strengthening health systems and integrating HIV services, quality care can be provided to people living with HIV," Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS executive director Michel Sidibé said. "The Global Health Initiative must continue to support the global promise made to millions of people for providing HIV treatment and support. UNAIDS looks forward to working closely with the governance structure of this initiative to promote country ownership in realizing the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support."

Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, and Rwanda have been selected as the first set of partner countries to receive resources to build on their existing health programs and in alignment with their national priorities. There will be robust monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability and enhance learning by identifying obstacles and rapidly making improvements.