NIGERIA: Global Fund suspends AIDS grant

The Global Fund against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the weekend halted US $50 million in grants to Nigeria, citing the country's failure to meet performance targets.

Fund spokesman Jon Liden said the governing board voted to suspend payment on two five-year grants after just two years because Nigeria had missed targets on anti-AIDS treatment access and other goals.

Liden, however, noted that an AIDS grant worth more than $180 million, which the Fund had agreed but not yet formally signed, would not be affected by the vote.

An estimated 3 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, the third-largest number after India and South Africa.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]