Hello from Friends! Here is a quick look at what's new in our work to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria in the age of COVID-19.
The Global Fund Helps Lay Groundwork for Historic Malaria Vaccine
Yesterday, history was made when the W.H.O endorsed the first ever malaria vaccine which experts say has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives–particularly those under the age of five. The endorsement of GlaxoSmithKline’s RTS,S vaccine offers a new path for malaria prevention, alongside mosquito nets, indoor spraying, chemoprevention strategies, testing and treatment. The pilot study for the new vaccine was funded by a joint $70 million investment by the Global Fund, GAVI and UNITAID to generate evidence to inform WHO policy recommendations.
Biden Administration Hosts Global COVID Summit
On September 22, the Biden administration convened leaders from around the world for the virtual COVID-19 summit. The purpose of the summit was to secure bold action around vaccine equity, expand investments in PPE, testing and medical oxygen as well as build up global infrastructure to ensure the world is better prepared to prevent and respond to future pandemics.
Friends’ President and CEO Chris Collins attended the summit and shared a message with leaders in world governments, civil society and the private sector. Watch the video below:
"The Global Fund must be at the center of pandemic preparedness and response. It was founded to tackle the biggest pandemics in the world. It has delivered incredible results over two decades and has acted swiftly to respond to COVID-19." - Chris Collins
Nomination of Dr. John Nkengasong to U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator
In a recent statement, Friends applauded President Biden's decision to nominate Dr. John Nkengasong to lead PEPFAR, stating:

“Dr. Nkengasong is an outstanding choice to lead PEPFAR at this critical time in the program’s history. He established Africa CDC as a highly effective and globally respected scientific and policy institution. He is a crucial voice for global health equity when decisive action is needed to shore up HIV services and tackle COVID-19."
Last year, Dr. Nkengasong participated in a Friends’ webinar on How COVID-19 is Impacting Africa, stating, “one of the greatest acts of humanity that ever happened was the creation of the Global Fund. The Global Fund was where human beings came together as a collection to solve problems that were affecting other human beings.”
UPDATE: The Global Fund's Response to COVID-19
With U.S. and other donor support, the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism is strengthening national COVID-19 responses while protecting life-saving AIDS, TB and malaria programs.

As of September, the Global Fund is the primary provider of support to low- and middle-income countries for COVID-19 tests, oxygen treatments, PPE and other critical public health measures.

Read about the latest impact of the Global Fund's COVID-19 response in the
🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇺🇬 Uganda and 🇸🇿 Eswatini.
The Global Fund's 20th Anniversary:
Changing the Story
On September 24, the Italian government hosted leaders from around the world to celebrate the Global Fund's 20th anniversary and examine how we can protect the gains we have made in the face of COVID-19 to ensure a healthier, safer and equitable future for all.
MUST READ: Global Health and Democracy: Managing Two Top U.S. Priorities 
In a blog published by the Council on Foreign Relations, Chief Policy Officer Mark P. Lagon writes why U.S. foreign policy commitments to both global health and democratic norms must be carefully integrated in practice.

"Democracy Supports Good Health.
Good Health Supports Democracy"
How COVID-19 is Affecting AIDS, TB and Malaria
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a serious impact on the most vulnerable communities worldwide and threatens progress on HIV, TB, malaria, vaccination and other areas of health.
AIDS: HIV Is Africa’s Latest COVID-19 Problem (Bloomberg) 
Tuberculosis: Adapting TB Programs to Face the Challenge of COVID-19: Lessons from the Philippines (The Global Fund)
Malaria: How COVID is derailing the fight against HIV, TB and malaria (Nature)
We're tracking the intersection of COVID-19 and AIDS, TB and malaria. See regular updates on our website.
Global Health News
  • Global Fund & UNDP Pledge to Maintain Access to Essential Health Services in Afghanistan (Global Fund)

  • 2021 May be Worse for Tuberculosis (Devex)

  • Climate Change Threatens to Reverse Progress in Fight Against Malaria (Financial Times) 

  • Assessing PEPFAR’s Impact: Analysis of Mortality in PEPFAR Countries (KFF) 

Be sure to check www.theglobalfight.org for the latest. Thanks for your support.
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