Tubercolis: South Africa secures $94 million in funding
South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to combat the fight against TB by securing $94 million in funding over 5 years.
South Africa’s commitment to combating Tuberculosis (TB) received a significant funding with the allocation of $94 million over the next five years.
Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, revealed that the 2024/2025 budget includes just over R4 billion, meeting the anticipated requirements outlined in the National Strategic Plan (NSP).
TB BUDGET: 71% DOMESTIC FUNDING
Notably, 71% of the TB budget originates from domestic sources, with 21% sourced from the Global Fund and 8% from commitments by the United States government.
The announcement came during the World TB Day commemorations, marked by the theme “Yes! You and I Can End TB”. Minister Phaahla expressed gratitude for the support from both the Global Fund and the United States government, emphasising their crucial roles in advancing responses to HIV, TB, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Part of South Africa’s strategy involves the implementation of the Accelerate Tuberculosis Elimination and Program Resilience Activity (ACCELERATE), which secures $94 million for the next five years. This initiative underscores the country’s dedication to eradicating TB and fortifying its healthcare systems.
Furthermore, the National Department of Health has developed innovative tools like the TB Recovery Plan dashboard and the HIV and TB dashboard within the Health Information Centre. These platforms enable provinces and districts to monitor the progress of TB programs effectively.
“The generous support from Global Fund and the United States government is a testament to our collective commitment to combating TB and improving public health outcomes,” remarked Minister Phaahla.
LAUNCH OF SANAC SITUATION ROOM: DATA MANAGEMENT ADVANCEMENT
The establishment of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Situation Room signifies a pivotal advancement in data management and visualisation.
This state-of-the-art hub, located in Pretoria but accessible globally, consolidates vast amounts of data crucial for monitoring and evaluating efforts against HIV, TB, and STIs.
Moreover, Minister Phaahla highlighted the challenge of fragmented data and emphasised the importance of these new dashboards in centralising information and facilitating more efficient monitoring and evaluation processes.
Additionally, with robust funding and innovative tools at their disposal, South Africa is poised to make significant strides in its ongoing battle against TB, ultimately aiming for its eradication and improved public health outcomes.