PPE

ABSTRACT This article, the sixth in a series of several, highlights Kenya’s successes, challenges and lessons learned applying for and implementing COVID-19 funding from the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism. The Global Fund allocated Kenya a total of $37 million, spread out in three allocations, in 2020 and more than $100 million in the second phase, which started in July 2021. Kenya and other Global Fund recipient countries need to leverage the lessons learned in phase one to ensure a successful phase two.

ABSTRACT This article, the fourth in a series of several, highlights Ethiopia’s successes, challenges and lessons learned applying for and implementing COVID-19 funding from the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism. Ethiopia received $39.9 million from the Global Fund for the first phase in 2020 and will receive more than $100 million in the second phase, which started in July 2021. Ethiopia and other Global Fund recipient countries need to leverage the lessons learned in phase one to ensure a successful phase two.

RÉSUMÉ Une analyse récente réalisée par Aidspan a mis au jour des problèmes rencontrés par les pays lorsqu’ils sollicitent et dépensent des fonds au travers du dispositif de riposte à la COVID-19 (C19RM) du Fonds mondial. Les pays devraient s’appuyer sur leur expérience de mise en œuvre des activités de la phase 1 pour mieux se préparer à la mise en œuvre des subventions au cours de la phase 2 du C19RM, qui a débuté en avril 2021.

ABSTRACT A recent Aidspan analysis has uncovered issues affecting countries while applying for and spending funding awarded through the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM). Countries should draw from their experiences implementing Phase 1 activities to prepare better to implement grants in Phase 2 of the C19RM, which started in April 2021.

ABSTRACT The health workers' strike witnessed in some countries in the middle of a pandemic strongly emphasizes the need to strengthen the health workforce pillar of the healthcare system. In almost all of these strikes, inadequate personal protective equipment was the key issue. Governments need to ensure that frontline workers are protected if countries are to win the war against COVID-19.

ABSTRACT The Global Fund has stepped up to help recipient countries access COVID-19 products, including diagnostic tests and PPE. It extended the use of wambo.org, an online procurement platform, to include COVID-19 products that countries could purchase using grant funding, domestic resources, and funds from other partners. The platform promotes increased transparency, competitive pricing, visibility of transactions, and ensures access to quality-assured products. However, product options and quantities on wambo.org remain limited. Countries have also turned to other procurement channels such as the Africa Medical Supplies Platform for the African region.