GERMANY has announced to give €1 Billion to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This was announced on Sunday after Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr Jean Kaseya, made a passionate plea to the German government to contribute $1 billion to the Global Fund.
Speaking at the ongoing World Health Summit (WHS) in Berlin, Dr Kaseya emphasized the critical need for increased funding to address major health challenges facing the world.
The Summit under the theme: “Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World,” brings together global leaders and health experts to discuss pressing health issues.
Dr Kaseya’s appeal comes amid shrinking support to the health sector, which has left many countries struggling to meet their health obligations.
He said he would be proud if Germany honoured his request. Dr Kaseya said, his voice filled with conviction that the $1 billion would help the Global Fund to address some of the major health challenges the world is facing.
He highlighted Africa’s proactive approach to addressing health financing challenges.
“Africa has been proactive by coming up with the Africa new financing health era before the United States cut support. We have come up with the Africa health financing in the new era, or green book, which talks about good governance, new financing for health, and putting in place systems that can help us have reliable data,” he said.
The Africa CDC Director-General also emphasized the importance of data sovereignty, noting that African countries must take control of their own data. “When the US fund was cut to Africa, data was also gone,” he said. He said Africa needs to manage her own data if it has to make efficient and informed decisions. He said the Green book also talks about Governance. “Together, we are saying Africa is ready. We are the core creators of the Global Health Architecture,” he said.
In a statement issued later on Sunday, by the WHS Communications team in Berlin, Ms Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), announced Germany’s financial commitment of euro 1 billion to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reaffirming Germany’s continued commitment to strengthening global health systems. She said during the ‘Launch of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023’ session that: “Despite painful budget cuts and the enormous pressure to save within the ministry, we have succeeded in providing one billion euros for global health protection. This sends an important signal: Germany will continue to be actively engaged in protecting people around the world from disease. The fight against major infectious diseases is not only a moral imperative but also a matter of reason: pathogens know no borders – they spread wherever they can, where prevention, medicines, and medical care are lacking, and beyond. Every euro invested in the Global Fund pays off: it strengthens the health systems of our partner countries and makes the world more resilient. In doing so, we save millions of lives. That is why we must remain strong together,’’ she said.
Joining her on stage Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, highlighted: “The Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to curb the spread of infectious diseases and further reinforce health and community systems in the most vulnerable countries. “With innovations like lenacapavir, AI-powered TB detection, and smart mosquito nets, we have the tools; now we need the political will. Germany’s latest contribution sends a powerful signal of global solidarity and sets a strong foundation as we move toward the final pledges at our Eighth Replenishment Summit.” Germany’s announcement follows a series of high-level commitments to major global health institutions made at previous World Health Summits, including the WHO Investment Round in 2024.
During the first key note session dubbed: ‘’Transforming the Global Health Architecture’’, Federal Government of Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary, Barbell Kofler, emphasized the need for sustainable health financing strategies and global cooperation.
“The times we are living in are challenging, and it’ is a critical moment for global health,” she observed.
She said the health budgets are shrinking, and international commitment is getting smaller adding that the consequence of the development is devastating.
UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, also highlighted the importance of continued aid during transitions and building integrated health systems. “Global health is a global public good,” she said. We need to build one integrated health system that delivers effectively,” she said.
As the WHS continues, leaders are emphasizing the need for collective action to address global health challenges.
The outcome of the WHS is expected to shape the future of global health and promote a healthier world for all.
