Media Releases – Page 9

Message from Dr Rosmond Adams, Director, PANCAP – November 2020

PANCAP joined the global community as we observed World AIDS Day on 1 December. Several activities were held across the Region to bring awareness to HIV, recognize the work that has been done and to strategize on how we can sustain the HIV response in the future.

We recognize the work at all levels, especially that of our global partners such as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), World Health Organisation (WHO), Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and others. Governments, National Programmes, Civil Society Organizations, People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Faith-Based Organizations, Communities and individuals have also played a central role in getting us to where we are today and have always been supportive to the PANCAP partnership.

Over the years, we have seen a record number of PLHIV receiving antiretroviral treatment. We have also seen progress with “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U=U), meaning that people who adhered to treatment and achieved an undetectable viral load cannot pass the virus on to others. New Infections and AIDS-related deaths in our Region have also decreased, and there have been bold actions to address issues such as stigma and discrimination around the disease.

Indeed, we have come a long way. When HIV was first recognized four decades ago, fear and death were the keywords that defined this disease as the world faced a new and unknown virus. Today, scientific advances, such as the development of antiretroviral drugs, have enabled people to access treatment to live long and healthy lives.

As we reflect on the 2020 theme for World AIDS Day, “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility”, it is essential to view it as a call to action for all of us to work together to end AIDS and to support our brothers and sisters living with HIV.

The road ahead is long, but once we work together, I am confident that we can end AIDS.

Global Fund Board Appoints Tracy Staines as Inspector General

4 December 2020 | GENEVA − The Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has appointed Tracy Staines, a distinguished auditor and seasoned executive, as Inspector General. Staines brings over 20 years of multi-sectoral experience in audit and risk management, including eight years at the Global Fund.

Promoted to Head of Audit in 2015, she has been serving as the Acting Inspector General since August 2020, after the departure of former Inspector General Mouhamadou Diagne. Staines is the first woman to hold the position of Inspector General, which reports directly to the Board.

“We are pleased to name Tracy to this critical role,” said Dr Donald Kaberuka, Global Fund Board Chair.

“Tracy’s long experience, robust knowledge of the Global Fund, commitment to the mission and a strong sense of professionalism will be central to leading the Office of the Inspector General to support the organization in the evolving global health environment,” said Lady Roslyn Morauta, Vice-Chair of the Board.

An independent, well-resourced and transparent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is essential for the success of the Global Fund, Dr Kaberuka added. The Global Fund is committed to the highest standards of accountability in all matters, including the audits and investigations produced by the OIG. The Global Fund’s OIG is composed of 52 auditors, investigators, and other professional staff.

Staines replaces Mouhamadou Diagne, who announced in May 2020 that he would resign to take on the position of Vice-President of Integrity for the World Bank Group.

Staines’ appointment comes as a result of a robust global selection process that started in August 2020, led by a Board-appointed Inspector General Nomination Committee and supported by a search firm. A total of 145 applications were received by the application deadline of 11 September 2020, reflecting a diversity of gender, professional backgrounds and sector, and geographical locations. The Nomination Committee conducted a merit-based, competitive and apolitical process, informed by due diligence and background checks, and with due attention to diversity of candidate profiles, particularly diversity of gender, geographic background, and professional experience. Assessing candidates against Board-approved Terms of Reference, the Nomination Committee also paid particular attention to candidates’ track record with respect to Global Fund strategic issues including human rights and key populations affected by the three diseases.

During her tenure at the Global Fund, Staines has led an impactful audit unit, renowned for its solid, data-driven products. She has directed a comprehensive program of complex, high-profile reviews that have driven positive change, resulting in enhanced portfolio performance and significant improvements in accountability and risk management frameworks. She and her team have refocused the OIG’s annual assessment to maximize coverage of key risk areas including grant size, residual risk and disease burden. She leads on the delivery of a comprehensive annual opinion, setting out ambitious development areas, which have informed a series of enduring improvements at the Global Fund.

Staines has also led the development of an advisory capability within the OIG, evolving the unit into a value-adding strategic advisor. OIG advisory reports provide data-led and thoughtful analysis to senior management to drive improvements throughout the partnership. In addition, under her leadership, the OIG has cultivated strategic partnerships with Supreme Audit Institutions to build capacity and leverage local knowledge. She liaises closely with like-minded oversight functions and the United Nations Representatives of Internal Audit Services (UN-RIAS) community.

Prior to joining the Global Fund, Staines led audit and investigations teams at one of Europe’s largest banks and the UK Civil Service. She began her career with Deloitte, the world’s largest professional services firm, in London and Sydney. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a Chartered Internal Auditor and a qualified member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.

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As COVID-19 reduces access to HIV testing services, AIDS response partners call for Caribbean countries to adopt HIV self-testing

KINGSTON, 1 December 2020—On the occasion of World AIDS Day, Caribbean AIDS response stakeholders are calling for countries in the region to adopt HIV self-testing. During the virtual launch of the “In Your Hands” Caribbean HIV self-testing campaign yesterday, partners advocated for self-testing policies to be developed and implemented as part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure that HIV diagnosis does not decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. The advocacy campaign is jointly endorsed by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Caribbean Med Labs Foundation (CMLF).

To achieve the Fast Track targets that would set countries on course to end AIDS by 2030, it is imperative that people living with HIV are diagnosed early, start treatment right away and achieve an undetectable viral load. People who are virally suppressed are not able to transmit the virus. Testing is the critical first pillar of this “treatment as prevention” strategy.

Even before COVID-19, the Caribbean was not on track to achieve the 90-90-90 testing and treatment targets due at the end of 2020. In 2019 77% of all people living with HIV in the Caribbean knew their status, 81% of diagnosed people were on treatment, and 80% of those on antiretroviral therapy were virally suppressed. A survey conducted by PANCAP and PAHO showed that during 2020, facility-and community- based HIV testing services reduced in two-thirds (69%) of countries due to COVID-19.

“This decline means that people with undiagnosed HIV are not getting life-saving antiretroviral treatment and, of course, continue to be unaware of their HIV status with the risk of potentially exposing others,” said Ms Sandra Jones, PAHO’s Technical Advisor for HIV/STI, TB & Viral Hepatitis in the Caribbean.

“The COVID-19 pandemic… has presented the opportunity for us to explore new and innovative approaches that are result-oriented. We cannot sit and continue to debate how we can increase the number of people who know their HIV status without seizing the opportunity to explore and implement initiatives such as HIV self-testing,” PANCAP Director, Dr Rosmond Adams said.

According to UNAIDS Caribbean Sub-regional Office Director, Dr James Guwani, it is particularly important to increase testing uptake among men who are more likely to be diagnosed late. In 2019 85% of Caribbean women living with HIV were aware of their status as compared to 72% of men. There is also a need to increase testing coverage among members of key population communities who have reduced access to HIV services due to stigma and discrimination.

HIV self-testing is a process whereby a person collects saliva or pinprick blood specimen, performs a test, and receives the result in private. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that HIV self-testing be offered as an additional approach to the facility- and community-based services. Evidence shows that self-testing is safe and accurate and increases testing uptake among people who may not test otherwise. National policies should include a communication package with information to link testers to prevention and treatment services, as well as minimum standards for the procurement and distribution of HIV self-test kits in the private and public sectors.

“We strongly believe that HIV self-testing can help close the gap in the First 90. It can be targeted to individuals not being reached by existing HIV testing services, particularly those populations with low testing coverage and at high risk of HIV. It’s not a replacement for all testing services, but it should be included in the toolbox,” said Mrs Victoria Nibarger, PEPFAR Caribbean Regional Programme Coordinator.

At the launch, leaders from communities of people living with HIV and key populations endorsed the call for HIV self-testing. At the same time, they advised that increased investments are needed in post-test counselling and adherence counselling for the entire HIV response.

According to CMLF Director, Valerie Wilson, under the Global Fund Project for the region and in collaboration with PANCAP, the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), the Centre for Orientation and Integral Research (COIN), the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States HIV/TB Elimination Project and PAHO, work is underway to conduct verification and feasibility assessment for the introduction of HIV self-testing within the region.

“HIV self-testing has the potential to be a high impact, low-cost intervention to reach population groups that are not testing and to increase the number of people living with HIV who are identified and have initiated treatment,” Mrs Wilson said.

Remarks by Dr Rosmond Adams, Director, PANCAP at the World AIDS Day 2020 Caribbean Virtual Panel Discussion and launch of the In Your Hands HIV Self-Testing Advocacy Campaign

Good Morning Everyone

Let me say thanks to the organizers for having PANCAP as part of this important discussion. Indeed, this is a demonstration of the type of solidarity that is needed at this critical time to confront global public health issues and to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

It is also a testimony of the shared responsibility that all must support whether individually of by our organizations doing our part in the response.

As we commemorate World AIDS Day 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has further challenged our efforts to reach global targets on the road to ending AIDS.

Nonetheless, it has presented us with opportunities for us to look at the way we are doing things and to explore new and innovative approaches that are results-oriented. The epidemic is changing and so must our response also.

We cannot sit and continue to debate how can we increase testing and increase the number of people who know their HIV status without seizing the opportunity to explore and implement initiatives such as HIV self-testing.

HIV self-testing is safe, effective and simple to use. It empowers individuals and it puts the responsibility right into our own hands. It also will increase uptake of HIV testing services, especially for populations with low access to testing and those at higher risk that would otherwise not get tested.

There is still fear and stigma associated with the traditional HIV test. There is the fear of needles, the fear around confidentiality, etc. HIV self-testing can help to overcome some of these fears.

There are concerns in the health sector that persons may do the tests and may not be linked to care if they are tested positive. I am certain that with good support systems in place, individuals requiring care can be linked to care and we can get the data needed to monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness. Also, when individuals do the tests and they are aware of their status they will be empowered to be more responsible.

We at PANCAP fully endorse and support the push for HIV self-testing in our Region and we stand ready to support countries in implementing Combination HIV Prevention Programs with an aim to reaching everyone and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Message from Dr Rosmond Adams, Director, PANCAP on the occasion of World AIDS Day 2020

Message from Dr Rosmond Adams, Director, PANCAP on the occasion of World AIDS Day 2020

Each year, December 1 is commemorated as World AIDS Day, an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, to recognise those who continue to work to end AIDS and to pause and remember those who have left us because of this disease.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2020 is, “Global solidarity, shared responsibility”. The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) endorses this theme as it effectively captures the phenomenal efforts of our public health champions in responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic while working to maintain the gains made in the HIV response.

Health care providers working in HIV have also been called to the battlefield to respond to COVID-19 a clear demonstration of the type of solidarity in health that is needed for us to live in a safe and healthy Caribbean.

The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted health services. An effective HIV response requires continuous service delivery in areas such as prevention, treatment and laboratory services. Moreover, HIV care and treatment services are dependent on community action to reach those at risk and to support those currently living with HIV to ensure that they are reached and retained in care.

National AIDS Programmes and Civil Society across the Region continue to be challenged especially in the area of HIV testing as lockdowns, and other COVID-19 protocols have prevented persons from accessing services. However, as the Region has proven in the past, rising to any challenge with collaboration and innovation is a hallmark of Caribbean people.

Public health practitioners across the Region have utilised strategic collaborations to respond to COVID-19 and protect the gains made in the HIV response.

In Belize, Enrique Romero, Executive Director, National AIDS Commission (NAC) used his alliances with social workers, adherence counsellors from the Ministry of Health (Belize), Peer Navigators, NAC District Committees and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to conduct a Needs Assessment of People Living with HIV.

The assessment revealed that many People Living with HIV were desperately in need of food items to remain adherent to their medication. Enrique jumped into action, and within a few days, he worked tirelessly with the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation (Belize) to expedite assistance to these individuals through the Government of Belize’s “Food Assistance Programme”.

Loss of employment, lack of essential living support and depleting nutritional supplies are some of the main issues that undermine adherence to HIV medication. COVID-19 has exacerbated these circumstances.

In Jamaica, Kandasi Levermore, Executive Director of the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL), responded to the needs of her clients by soliciting donations and writing proposals for small grants to provide clients with nutritional support, care packages, sanitisation items and financial support for transportation to attend clinic visits. Such action in the face of so many adversities may have saved many lives and protected the gains made in the Region’s HIV response.

In Barbados, Dr Nastassia Rambarran and her team from Equals Barbados arranged for delivery of multi-month medication supplies, provided care via telemedicine and donated food hampers sourced from donations and an external grant.

These are just a few examples of our Caribbean Public Health Champions recognising their shared responsibility and taking decisive action to ensure the continuity of HIV services during COVID-19.

COVID-19 has thrown our National HIV Programmes and Civil Society into circumstances that demanded their best. I am humbled and inspired by the response of our Public Health Practitioners and Civil Society leaders. I have only highlighted a few of the best practices that have emerged from the Region, but there are many more success stories to share.

This World AIDS Day, I urge our Partners to share their stories and celebrate the success of maintaining the Region’s HIV response in the face of COVID-19. Our Region has responded to the global Pandemic with cooperation, unity and innovation, which ensured the continuity of HIV services and better health outcomes for People Living with HIV.

Our Governments, National Programmes, community mobilisers and the private sector stepped up to provide the needed services so that People Living with HIV can remain on their medication. Time will reveal how many lives were saved because our Region acted promptly and effectively.

I do believe that despite the challenges of 2020, our Region can amplify the HIV response and fulfil the mandate of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS (CRSF) of a Caribbean free of AIDS and new HIV infections, in which all people are happier, healthier, productive, safe and respected.

We have demonstrated our ability to be innovative during this crisis. COVID-19 has disrupted the way we do things, but it has provided us with the opportunity to embrace change and innovation. Countries in the Region are now embracing innovations such as HIV self-testing, multi-month dispensing of ARVs and the use of digital technology to offer services virtually.

The Partnership remains committed to supporting this momentum, and we stand in solidarity with everyone as each of us does our part in ending AIDS in the Region.

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COVID-19 reshaping HIV services in the Caribbean

National AIDS Programmes continue to be challenged by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, they continue to deliver services to ensure the continuity of care. The delivery of services at this critical time requires reshaping the way that services are traditionally delivered. COVID-19 presents an opportunity to explore innovative solutions and new methods for service delivery.

Amongst the services significantly impacted by the pandemic disruptions is HIV testing. Persons requiring testing must access care at a health facility. Countries are now exploring the possibility of implementing HIV self-testing. HIV self-testing has the potential to rapidly increase uptake of HIV testing services, especially for populations with low access and those at higher risk that would otherwise not get tested. In areas where COVID-19 disruptions are high, self-testing is an ideal alternative to scale-up testing.

The pandemic has also opened up new avenues for the care of those who are stable and require fewer clinical interactions. By doing so, stable patients do not need to visit clinics as frequently as they did for medication and routine follow-up. Many programmes have implemented multi-month drug dispensing of antiretroviral therapy or ART for about three to six months. This has allowed care providers to devote more time to those with more urgent needs. It has also reduced the frequency that clients visit pharmacies to fill their prescriptions.

Many HIV programmes have also been embracing the use of digital technology. In some cases, clients are now able to book appointments online to avoid overcrowding in waiting rooms, especially in small clinics where physical distancing may not be possible. Also, some services, such as counselling and patient follow-up, are being conducted virtually.

Despite the disruptions from the pandemic, these new approaches are reshaping the way services are delivered. Most of these interventions still require close monitoring and evaluation to know if they are effective. Notwithstanding this, these interventions have the potential to reach more people and to deliver services in a quick, efficient and safe manner. They can change the way that care is provided beyond COVID-19.

Launched: Caribbean Roadmap for Adolescent and Youth Health

Image: Participants of the Caribbean Congress on Adolescent and Youth Health (CCAYH), November 2019

Caribbean youth advocates have called for action on areas of priority for their peers with the launch of the Caribbean Roadmap for Adolescent and Youth Health: Championing Our Wealth: Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Adolescents and Youth in the Caribbean.

Approximately two hundred Youth congress participants, including policymakers, international and regional partners were involved in three days of discussion in November 2019, which culminated with the launch of the Roadmap on Monday 19 October 2020. The launch showcased the involvement of young advocates in the design, moderation and content of the event. It was hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Health (Guyana), officially launched the Roadmap and commended the young people and partners for the collective wisdom encapsulated in the Roadmap. “I want to thank PAHO/WHO, CARICOM and UN Partners for their leadership in this process. I urge you to continue the advocacy for political prioritisation and the integration of these recommendations into national development plans. While COVID-19 compounds the challenges before us, we have an opportunity of using this Roadmap to usher future generations into a cleaner and healthier Caribbean. Can we do it? Yes, we can!” stated Dr Anthony.

Nothing for us, without us!

Five Caribbean youth advocates including Pierre Cooke Jnr., Christopher Gilkes, Michelle Belfor, Jean Sano Santana and Renatta Langlais, took part in the launch and focused their discussions on the four tracks contained in the Roadmap: mental health, substance use, violence and injuries; sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and STI; nutrition, physical activity, sports and youth development; and climate change and the environment.

The purpose of the Roadmap is to provide strategic guidance on actions Member States should take to address adolescent health in their local setting

SASOD Guyana Pivots its Human Rights Response Online, Adapting to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Between April and September 2020, and amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic locally, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) Guyana has documented 30 cases in the Shared Incident Database (SID) with support from the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) through the multi-country Caribbean Global Fund Grant, “Sustainability of Services for Key Populations in the Caribbean.” Among the documented cases, 30% involve cyber-bullying against women, girls, LGBTQ+ persons, Persons Living with HIV, and marginalised youth, as compared to 0 reported cases of cyber-bullying for the same period in 2019, under the SID project supported by CVC. Client intake, as well as counselling services, are now being done virtually to reduce the exposure risk to COVID-19. SASOD Guyana developed a protocol for virtual client intake and case management in keeping with the SID protocol, that was approved by CVC, considering the pandemic.

As at 31 October 2020, SASOD Guyana has resolved 70% of these 30 client cases for the 6-month period through referrals to pro-bono lawyers, filing and serving of restraining orders, seeking public assistance, land applications, securing emergency housing, permanent relocation, among other forms of redress.

In June 2020, SASOD Guyana launched a social media campaign dubbed #IssaCyberCrime to increase public knowledge on the Cyber Crime Act of Guyana, information on penalties for cyber offences, as well as support and access to justice for victims. This campaign, supported by the SID project, reached approximately 30,000 persons on social media between June and August 2020. Anecdotal evidence, especially feedback from new clients, indicates that this accessible form of human rights education allowed them to recognise cyber-crimes, know they are illegal and appreciate that redress and support services are available through SASOD Guyana. The campaign is especially critical since vulnerable populations find police processes very intimidating.

Equals Barbados continued vital community services during pandemic

Written by Dr Nastassia Rambarran, Public Health Consultant, Researcher and Physician

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with the ending of USAID/PEPFAR funding in Barbados to create a perfect storm of potentially huge disruption of HIV service provision by the key population-led civil society organisation, Equals Inc.

At the time, Equals, with USAID/PEPFAR funding and under a shared care paradigm with the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness, provided wide-reaching and national HIV and STI testing, treatment and HIV PrEP at their community site. With the onset of lockdown in late March, on-site services were shut down, but persons on PrEP and receiving antiretrovirals for treatment were followed up via phone calls and messaging by the Equals team, who arranged delivery of multi-month medication supplies, telemedicine consults and donated food hampers sourced from donations and an external grant.

Outreach workers intensified online engagement (which has always been a strong point of the organisation) and psychosocial counselling, which was especially needed, moved online. After approximately three months of lockdown, these measures enabled the site to reopen with testing uptake almost on par with pre-pandemic levels and continued alliance with the vulnerable community served.

Editor’s note: EQUALS is an LGBTQI+ organisation that helps communities to access services through rights-based advocacy. The goal of Equals is to educate and empower the LGBTQI+ community to foster unity by providing a safe, discrimination-free environment. In this environment, Equals encourages safe sexual practices and access to services in areas such as sexual health, general health and mental health. Equals also serves as an educational outlet by providing general information that is catered to the community. In addition, Equals works to improve the quality of everyday life for the LGBTQI+ community by tackling stigma and discrimination through sensitisation training and human rights violations case recording. The organisation strives to achieve its goals through community empowerment, education, networking and rights-based advocacy.

For more information visit https://equalsbarbados.com/

Global Fund launches search for Inspector General

10 August 2020

GENEVA – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has launched a search for its next Inspector General.

A seven-member nomination committee will help the Board of the Global Fund select the next Inspector General. The Board welcomes all candidates with proven skills in leadership and strategic oversight, and from broad and diverse backgrounds.

Board Chair Donald Kaberuka said an independent, well-resourced and transparent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is more essential than ever for the success of the Global Fund as the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Global Fund is committed to the highest standards of accountability,” Kaberuka said. “As we help countries defeat COVID-19 and mitigate its impact on HIV, TB and malaria, it is essential to maintain the confidence of our donors and partners and the trust of the communities. Years of hard-won gains could be erased, and millions of lives among the most vulnerable communities are at risk.”

The OIG is an independent yet integral part of the Global Fund. Through audits, investigations and consultancy work, the OIG provides the Global Fund with independent and objective assurance over the design and effectiveness of controls in place to manage the key risks impacting the Global Fund’s programs and operations. The OIG reports on all its activities in the interest of transparency and accountability. The results of its audits and investigations are published on the Global Fund website.

Current Inspector General Mouhamadou Diagne informed the Board earlier this year that he was stepping down to take the position of vice-president of integrity for the World Bank Group.

During his more than five years as Inspector General, Diagne has led a 50-member team of audit and investigation professionals with expertise in risk management, internal controls and governance. The OIG implements a strategic and proactive approach to preventing fraud and misuse of funds, as recommended by the Board and its Audit and Finance Committee.

The Global Fund, the largest multilateral investor in grants for health systems, has saved more than 32 million lives and helped cut HIV, TB and malaria deaths by roughly half, disbursing US$45 billion to more than 100 countries. However, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse the extraordinary gains made by the Global Fund in the fight against the three diseases.

The Global Fund has reacted decisively to the emergence of COVID-19, quickly making available up to US$1 billion to support countries as they respond to the pandemic, adapt their HIV, TB and malaria programs, and reinforce their already overstretched health systems.

The nomination committee, with the support of an executive search firm, expects to interview the strongest candidates and to recommend a final candidate to the Board for appointment by November 2020. The Global Fund is working with the firm Egon Zehnder to assist with the search for an Inspector General. For more information on the position, qualifications, and requirements go to https://appointments.egonzehnder.com.

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Le Fonds Mondial se met en quête d’un Inspecteur général

10 août 2020

GENÈVE – Le Fonds mondial de lutte contre le sida, la tuberculose et le paludisme s’est mis en quête de son prochain Inspecteur général.

Un comité de nomination composé de sept membres aidera le Conseil d’administration du Fonds mondial à sélectionner le prochain Inspecteur général. Tous les candidats possédant des compétences avérées en leadership et en suivi stratégique sont invités à se manifester, quel que soit l’horizon dont ils sont issus.

Selon le président du Conseil d’administration Donald Kaberuka, le Fonds mondial a plus que jamais besoin d’un Bureau de l’Inspecteur général qui soit indépendant, transparent et doté de ressources suffisantes pour mener à bien sa mission, au moment où le monde entier riposte à la pandémie de COVID-19.

« Le Fonds mondial s’engage à respecter les normes de responsabilité les plus strictes », déclare M. Kaberuka. « Au moment où nous aidons les pays à lutter contre le COVID-19 et à en atténuer les effets sur le VIH, la tuberculose et le paludisme, il est impératif de préserver la confiance de nos donateurs, de nos partenaires et des communautés. Des années d’avancées obtenues de haute lutte pourraient être anéanties et des millions de vies au sein des communautés les plus vulnérables sont exposées au risque. »

Le Bureau de l’Inspecteur général est une entité indépendante du Fonds mondial, mais qui en fait néanmoins partie intégrante. Au travers d’audits, d’enquêtes et d’activités de consultance, il fournit au Fonds mondial une assurance indépendante et objective sur la conception et l’efficacité des contrôles mis en place afin de gérer les principaux risques qui menacent les programmes et les activités du Fonds mondial. Le Bureau de l’Inspecteur général rend compte de toutes ses activités dans un souci de transparence et de responsabilité. Les résultats de ses audits et enquêtes sont publiés sur le site web du Fonds mondial.

En début d’année, l’actuel Inspecteur général Mouhamadou Diagne a informé le Conseil d’administration qu’il allait quitter ses fonctions afin de prendre la vice-présidence Intégrité du Groupe de la Banque mondiale.

Pendant plus de cinq années à la tête du Bureau de l’Inspecteur général, M. Diagne a dirigé une équipe de 50 auditeurs et enquêteurs, spécialistes de la gestion des risques, des contrôles internes et de la gouvernance. Le Bureau de l’Inspecteur général adopte une démarche stratégique et volontariste en matière de prévention des fraudes et des détournements de fonds, conformément aux recommandations du Conseil d’administration et de son Comité d’audit et des finances.

Premier investisseur multilatéral en faveur des systèmes de santé au travers de subventions, le Fonds mondial a sauvé plus de 32 millions de vies et contribué à réduire de près de moitié les décès dus au VIH, à la tuberculose et au paludisme, décaissant 45 milliards de dollars US à plus de cent pays. Cependant, la pandémie de COVID-19 menace d’inverser les progrès extraordinaires enregistrés par le Fonds mondial face aux trois maladies.

Le Fonds mondial a fermement réagi à l’émergence du COVID-19 et a rapidement mis à disposition un milliard de dollars US afin d’aider les pays à lutter contre la pandémie, adapter leurs programmes de riposte au VIH, à la tuberculose et au paludisme, et renforcer leurs systèmes de santé déjà débordés.

Avec le concours d’une agence de recrutement de cadres, le Comité de nomination s’entretiendra avec les meilleurs candidats et espère recommander un nom au Conseil d’administration au plus tard en novembre 2020. À ces fins, il a fait appel à l’agence Egon Zehnder. Pour de plus amples informations sur le poste, les qualifications et les compétences requises, rendez-vous sur https://appointments.egonzehnder.com.