Representatives from Việt Nam’s Ministry of Health, diplomatic corps, civil society and the Global fund were at the event. —Photo courtesy of the organisers

HÀ NỘI — The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has helped to support the recovery from the COVID-19 impact on global health services and ensure uninterrupted care for people living with or threatened by the three diseases, according to an event held in Hà Nội on Monday.

The event was held by the embassies of Sweden and the United States in Việt Nam, in partnership with the Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI) and Global Fund Advocate Network Asia Pacific (GFAN AP), to raise awareness of the impact of the fund in Việt Nam and encourage donor engagement.

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria is the largest global financing mechanism for ending HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, investing US$4 billion a year to defeat these infectious diseases and ensure a healthier, safer, equitable future for all.

Since its founding in 2002, the Global Fund has invested more than US$55 billion, saving 44 million lives and reducing the combined death rate from the three diseases by more than half in the countries where it invests.

Funding for the Global Fund is raised in three-year cycles through pledges made by governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental organisations.

In September, the US will host the Global Fund Replenishment Conference, marking the seventh replenishment cycle of the Global Fund.

Attendees included Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam Ann Måwe, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Melissa Bishop, Acting Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan, Dr Khuất Thị Hải Oanh of SCDI, representatives of the Global Fund, members of Hà Nội’s diplomatic community, civil society, and representatives of the community most affected by HIV, TB, and malaria.

“In the past 20 years, the Global Fund has helped cut global deaths from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in half. The fund has helped fight COVID-19 and its consequences in the past two years. But none of this would have been possible without implementing governments and partners, and Việt Nam is really leading the way in protecting and promoting people’s health. Sweden remains a committed partner in this important work,” said Ambassador of Sweden to Việt Nam Ann Måwe.

US Chargé d’Affaires Melissa Bishop said: “With Global Fund assistance and its implementing partners, Việt Nam has made incredible strides in testing, treatment, and service. The US is proud of the support we offer through the Global Fund, an effort that turns funding into services and programmes that help Việt Nam strengthen its health care system, expand its capacity, and bring the goal of achieving epidemic control for HIV, TB, and malaria closer.”

During the event, speakers highlighted Việt Nam’s leadership in infectious disease response and commitment to ending HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

As part of the event, community representatives presented 18,000 origami paper cranes as a gesture of gratitude to Global Fund donors, symbolising the hope for success in raising $18 billion for the seventh replenishment. — VNS