COTE D'IVOIRE: Global Fund millions to tackle HIV/AIDS

Ivorian AIDS NGOs have expressed concern about whether a new Global AIDS Fund grant would reach its intended recipients.

However, the country's Ministry of Health said it was working hard to ensure that the money was disbursed in accordance with a signed agreement between the government and the Fund.

According to the agreement, a US $18 million grant would be shared among NGOs and other AIDS organisations operating in the country, over a two-year period.

The information officer for the Ministry of Health, Anidie Laure, said in a statement that depending on the Fund's assessment of activities in the first two years, an additional $37 million could be disbursed over the next three years.

Cote d'Ivoire has the highest HIV-prevalence rate in West Africa, with between 10 percent and 14 percent of adults living with the virus.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Children,

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