The recommendations made by an independent panel, consisting of learned and elite individual, were accepted by the Board of the Global Fund. The recommendations aim to transform the Global Fund from an organization that only operates during emergency, to a more effective body that would help provide a sustainable and ongoing support.
The Global Fund had commissioned the panel to assess and analyze its financial controls, six months ago. The Board has duly accepted and acknowledged the financial oversight of the Global Fund, while providing grants, and is now all set to bring in major reforms that would help it function more efficiently. However, the panel has also applauded Global Fund, which was created ten years ago, for the effective and useful work done to combat the three diseases, thereby saving the lives of millions.
The panel has made some recommendations, a few of which can be implemented immediately. Some of these recommendations aim to make sure that Global Fund focuses on its main work that is to manage grants that would save the lives of millions, across the globe.
The entire governance of the Board is being reformed. Instead of four standing committees it will now have three. One will focus on strategy and investment, the second one will focus on finance and operational performance, and the third committee that will include many independent members will deal with audits and ethics.
Simon Bland, the Global Fund’s Chair, said “We are determined to carry out these changes quickly to ensure that donors and implementing countries maintain absolute confidence that the Global Fund is an efficient and effective funding channel that delivers value for money. Following the Board meeting we now have a clear way forward to make these changes.”
“I am extremely pleased with the resounding endorsement by the Global Fund Board of the panel’s report and recommendations. I believe that these far reaching reforms will firmly secure the Global Fund’s future as the leading funding channel to fight the three diseases,” said high level panel co-chairman, the former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae.
The decision of the Board was also hailed by Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, who co-chaired the high level panel. “The Board’s acceptance of the panel’s recommendations is a catalytic event in the history of the Global Fund. Prompt implementation will provide donors with confidence their contributions will fuel a more efficient and sustainable response to HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria,” said Leavitt, who is also a former Governor of Utah.
The Board will assess the options to streamline applications, approval and renewal processes, as a step to implement the changes as recommended by the panel. The application deadline for this round has been extended from 15 December 2011 to 1 March 2012.
