Guinea

Abstract: This Office of the Inspector General investigation report on the 2019 LLIN mass distribution campaign in Guinea concludes that two critical data sets from the campaign were fraudulently manipulated. The OIG also found that insufficient controls and a lack of clear accountability for data accuracy contributed to the fraudulent data being used in the campaign; and that widespread data manipulation contributes to an environment in which commodity diversion becomes possible and may go undetected. Of major significance to the Global Fund and partners in the fight against malaria: the findings – and the agreed management actions – apply not only to Guinea but are relevant to mass distribution campaigns in other countries.

Abstract: This is the pre-Board edition of the Global Fund Observer, in which we cover issues of particular relevance to stakeholders (lack of transparency, Challenging Operating Environments and the Additional Safeguards Policy - how well are they working? and the Global Fund's 2022 performance). Other topics include fraudulent practices with long-lasting insecticidal treated nets in Guinea, an update on resource mobilisation and the worrying state of HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia region.

ABSTRACT The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that the Global Fund structures, policies and processes for the management of investments in Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health, and the monitoring framework for these investments, need significant improvement; however, the risk mitigation measures for RSSH activities are partially effective, according to the OIG’s ratings.

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 Guinea has faced several significant challenges in implementing its Global Fund grants. Some challenges were inherent to the Global Fund grant policy implementation. Others were related to the country's political and epidemiological contexts. As a low-income country with a weak health system, Guinea needs to spend its co-financing funds optimally. Solutions to most challenges require stronger country ownership and an investment in health systems.

ABSTRACT A Guinean NGO contracted by a Global Fund HIV grant Principal Recipient was found to have falsified survey participants and responses, as well as blood test and HIV prevalence data. The implications are far-reaching – the type of survey that was falsified (an Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance survey, for 2015) is frequently used across the Global Fund portfolio to inform the design and implementation of effective HIV programs, and to measure results. The OIG’s report states that the falsification of the data misrepresented the grant-funded program’s progress. The OIG proposes that the Secretariat seek recovery of $114,366 in non-compliant expenditures (the total value of the contract to SIDALERTE, the NGO).

ABSTRACT Global Fund grants to Guinea, which are managed under the Additional Safeguard Policy, face numerous challenges. The Global Fund Board has approved an HIV grant with a new principal recipient, the Ministry of Health. The grant complements a TB/HIV grant approved in December 2017.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund will respond to requests from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to be more flexible in reprogramming grants should this be needed to support the continued response to the Ebola epidemic. The countries may ask for a greater investment in health systems strengthening, as poor infrastructure, a shortage of trained health workers and weak systems are driving the spread of the outbreak.