Health Ministry not to manage grants of Global Fund to Fight AIDS

«The Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan will not manage grants of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in 2018-2020. Such a verdict was made by the Secretariat of the Global Fund on the results of the assessment,» Aybar Sultangaziev, Executive Director of Partner Network Association told.

The Global Fund’s official response notes the main problems that prevent the Ministry of Health from becoming the main recipient of grants: «The Ministry of Health Project Management Team needs strong leadership to address the current serious problems. Unfortunately, at present the situation is different. Delays in incentive payments to people living with HIV have confirmed the risks of interrupting the programs and providing of services.»

«In addition, there is no proper mechanism for sub-granting of NGOs and signing subcontracts with them. A standardized package of HIV prevention services for the main groups of the population has not yet been finalized and approved. It is recommended to amend the Law on Public Procurement to create procurement opportunities through international organizations,» the message said.

Health Minister Talantbek Batyraliev told 24.kg news agency that he personally did not receive an official assessment. «And there can not be such a verdict. The project implementation group was formed for the transition period. This does not mean that the management will be immediately transferred, but only when we are ready. We work closely with the Global Fund. We are open and recognize that there were shortcomings, the head of the project implementation group was replaced,» he said.

The Global Fund intends to allocate Kyrgyzstan about $ 23 million for three years, starting from 2018.

At present, there are 7,663 HIV cases registered in Kyrgyzstan, and 7,244 — among the Kyrgyz citizens. According to estimates of experts, there are 8,500 such patients in the republic.