Uganda

ABSTRACT It is predicted that disruptions from COVID-19, increased resource needs and changes in health focus will continue to impact on the performance and outcomes of programs for HIV, TB, malaria and other communicable and non-communicable diseases in Uganda. Contributing to the uncertainty, the election measures imposed between October 2020 and February 2021 also impacted negatively on the response to COVID-19 and other health programs.

ABSTRACT International donors, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, promptly made funds available to assist the fight of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to assess whether existing mechanisms, including the Global Fund’s “three-line defense model,” can be used to manage risk in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. Allegations of fraud and corruption are multiplying across countries. Aidspan relies on civil society organizations to help maintain accountability in this COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT Truck drivers who transport cargo across borders in the East African Community partners are at high risk of contracting and transmitting the COVID-19. The truck drivers are also at a higher risk of HIV infection.

ABSTRACT The Country Coordinating Mechanism evolution initiative is at mid-point. Information from four African countries suggests mixed results: two countries with early signs of success and two where it is too early to measure success, country representatives say. Aidspan’s policy team highlights the challenges and keys to success discussed with representatives from each of the four countries featured in this article.

ABSTRACT Kenya, Uganda and Guinea are three African countries at different levels of economic development, and with different epidemiology for the HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. The application of co-financing within their programming for the three diseases differs largely by country. It is important that the Secretariat harmonizes the application of the policy across countries despite the need for customization.

ABSTRACT A delegation of East Africans visited harm reduction facilities in China to learn about their approach take-home methadone for people who use drugs, for possible application at home. The exchange was organized via the Global Fund’s multi-country harm reduction grant in East Africa, which is coming to an end this year.

ABSTRACT In recommending Uganda's funding request for TB/HIV, the Technical Review Panel particularly praised efforts to improve sustainability and the inclusion of interventions aimed at removing structural and legal barriers to key and vulnerable populations accessing services. The funding request is heavily weighted toward HIV.

ABSTRACT The problem of expired drugs and medical supplies prevails in Uganda. Following the release of the Uganda OIG report which made specific mention of the problem, media in the country have conducted surveys to investigate the issue further. This article presents the findings of journalists that visited different health facilities and reported on the prevailing issue of expired drugs.

ABSTRACT The board approved additional funding of $37 million to allow a shortened HIV grant to Uganda to provide full services through to the end of 2017. The new funds will be used to purchase additional antiretrovirals.

ABSTRACT In response to a shortage of antiretrovirals in Uganda, The Global Fund arranged to procure and ship an immediate supply of the drugs. The Fund is also procuring a full year’s supply to guard against future shortages.