New funding for fight against AIDS
It was Belize’s third attempt to access this particular source of funding and the successful effort came just in time. With an estimated two percent of the adult population believed to be infected with HIV, and new cases running at more than one a day, the battle against AIDS needs all the firepower it can find. Patrick Jones reports on government’s latest initiative.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The news of the approval of almost five million dollars to help in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS had officials of the Ministry of Health positively upbeat this morning. The Global Fund, a collaboration of the world’s public and private sectors to tackle AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, has approved two point four million U.S. dollars spread out over the next five years to reinforce the country’s efforts to bring the disease under control. Head of the National AIDS Commission, Dolores Balderamos Garcia, says while the money couldn’t have come at a better time, it will only supplement existing local efforts.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Chair, Natl. AIDS Commission
“As we await the disbursement of these funds, it will be necessary to step up our national response using other resources both national and international. Our local agencies will have to continue to mobilise our own resources as the Global Fund only serves to compliment what already exists nationally.”
The Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology, BEST, has been chosen as the principal recipient of the money and will be responsible for local disbursement. Minister of Health Jose Coye says the money comes with specific targets in mind.
Jose Coye, Minister of Health
“The fund is not intended as some may have thought, that it is for medication. It’s not so much for medication. From my recollection that represents maybe about six, seven percent of the total, which is about three hundred and odd thousand U.S. for the whole five years, so I would say about six to seven percent. The government will carry the bulk of that from its budget in terms of the medication. “
Head of the National AIDS Programme, Doctor Paul Edwards, explained that the Ministry of Health, has recently acquired antiretroviral medications, which are being made available to those who need it most on a first come, first served basis.
Dr. Paul Edwards, Director, National AIDS Program
“We presently have medication for two hundred Belizeans here. The programme started about a month ago and we presently have about probably about twenty to about forty Belizeans receiving treatment that includes from there and also from their own pockets, about forty Belizeans presently receiving treatment. But the medication is there for those when they need it. It’s not somebody who is HIV positive starts that medication. You have to satisfy criteria, full-blown AIDS symptoms, CD4 level between three hundred and fifty and two hundred.”
But apart from the money already pledged by the Global Fund, Edwards says Belize’s geographic location puts the country in a position to access even more assistance
Dr. Paul Edwards
“Belize is very unique. Geographically, we are part of Central America, culturally we’re very much Caribbean, even though that might be changing, and therefore besides PANCAP, we’re also part of that Central American initiative that might also be another source for funding.”
And the man who cemented Belize’s commitment by taking the country’s effort to battle AIDS under his portfolio, Prime Minister Said Musa, says approval of the funding his government’s efforts.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“I do believe that it is that we have clearly sent a message to the global community that we are serious about fighting this dreaded disease. The fact that we have put it under the Prime Minster’s Office I think is one clear message. The fact that we are working, government and N.G.O. community working closely together and the fact that we have a National AIDS Commission and the Ministry of Health; we had excellent presentations today, clearly showing that this is a well-coordinated effort. I think that has played a big part in getting the support of the agencies for the Global Fund.”
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
The first one point two million U.S. dollars will be disbursed in January. The second instalment will be paid only after an evaluation shows that the first disbursement was spent effectively.
