ISLAMABAD: Iftikhar Shallwani, Federal Secretary of Health, meets with the Fund Portfolio Manager of the Global Fund, who praises the performance of the National and Provincial Teams.
Mr. Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Secretary Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, met with the Global Fund team, which was led by Ms. Izaskun Gaviria, Fund Portfolio Manager.
The conference began with the pleasant news that a budget of USD 285 million for three diseases had recently been authorized by the Grant Approval Committee (GAC), and the CMU was in the process of sharing it with the provinces.
Mr. Shallwani stated that the Additional Safeguard Policy should be removed immediately because the government had met all of the necessary parameters.
The Fund Portfolio Manager of the Global Fund decided that ASP will have little benefit in portfolio optimization.
A special committee on portfolio performance and a cooperative working group have been formed to develop Pakistan’s exit strategy.
Ms. Izaskun Gaviria, Portfolio Manager for the Global Fund, praised the effectiveness of the National and Provincial programs, noting the outstanding work at healthcare institutions.
She applauded the CMU on reversing the PR-ship from UNDP for the Common Management Unit’s (NACP) treatment component, beginning July 1, 2024.
Ms. Gaviria stated that the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey (IBBSS) would be finished soon, with the findings influencing future planning and goal-setting. UNDP will work closely with CMU to support it during the transition phase.
Mr. Shallwani underlined the necessity of government ownership, particularly with regard to HIV, and stated that the government is the ultimate custodian of disease control.
He asked UN partners, particularly UNDP, to improve coordination with CMU to ensure effective implementation methods. The Portfolio Manager praised the Secretary of MoNHSR&C for the government’s management in clearing the recent cargo of LLINs from port.
Furthermore, Ms. Gaviria praised Pakistan for being the first country in the world to complete the installation of Oxygen Plants at several Tertiary Care Hospitals following the COVID pandemic, creating an exceptional pattern.
