Key Challenges and Issues Facing the New Executive Director of the Global Fund: A Discussion Starter

In its first four years, the Global Fund has had a significant influence in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Currently the Fund provides 20% of global donor funding for HIV/AIDS and 66% of funding for malaria and TB, and has disbursed over $2.3 billion to 131 countries around the world. As of June 2006 its grants had provided ARV treatment for 544,000 people living with HIV; testing and counselling for HIV for 5.7 million people; Directly Observable Treatment – Short Course (DOTS) for 1.4 million people with TB; and 11.3 million insecticide-treated bednets for malaria prevention. The Global Fund has also pioneered new approaches in foreign assistance and public health delivery. It operates as a funding mechanism rather than an implementation agency, has a headquarters staff approximately 250 with no in-country presence, and relies upon a publicprivate partnership in recipient countries to design and implement programs.