APLMA hosts ADB/Global Fund for health financing meeting in Singapore

In December 2017, during Malaria Week in Myanmar, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Fund signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the design and financing of country-led HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programmes using a variety of ‘blended’ financing approaches.

To help set the programme of work described by the MOU in motion, APLMA welcomed senior staff from both organizations to a health financing meeting in Singapore from 24 to 25 April 2018.

At the tripartite meeting, all partners agreed to jointly explore the concept of a ‘Regional Health Financing Facility’ that allows for the blending of loans and grants – in order to expand funding for malaria, communicable diseases and health in the Asia Pacific region. In parallel, the partners agreed to initially explore collaboration with a few countries.

The collaboration between ADB and the Global Fund aims to support countries in achieving sustainable and long-term financing for communicable diseases and health. APLMA has supported and facilitated the partnership since its inception in early 2017.

The ADB/Global Fund MOU lays out a framework for countries that currently receive Global Fund grants to leverage additional funding from the ADB, create clear and transparent financing frameworks and move towards a more sustainable funding system.