SOUTH AFRICA: Global Fund proposal update

South Africa is working against the clock to complete two applications for funds from the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has announced.

The applications, which have to be submitted by 10 March, will focus on tuberculosis (TB) treatment and "behaviour change intervention" to prevent HIV/AIDS, the minister said.

Funding proposals will be coordinated by the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), which will act as the Country Co-ordination Mechanism (CCM). SANAC advises the government on all matters relating to HIV/AIDS and consists of representatives from government and 17 civil society organisations from different sectors.

According to Felicia Serenata, of the HIV/AIDS directorate in the health department, these applications were not as broad as originally hoped. "We had very limited time to prepare so we couldn't have broad consultations," she told PlusNews.

The CCM would concentrate on preparing more detailed proposals for the second round of funding proposals in May, she added. "This will give us more time to meet with more stakeholders and have more consultations."

The Global Fund requirements stipulate that country proposals be vetted through a CCM, which should ideally include representatives from government agencies, NGOs, community-based organisations, private sector institutions and bi-lateral and multilateral agencies.

"The goal is to ensure a coordinated national approach within each country, one that includes broad based public and private partnerships," Global Fund spokesperson Leyla Alyanak, told PlusNews earlier this month.

The Fund’s Technical Review Panel will evaluate the first round of proposals, and funds will be disbursed on 24 April.

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