In a landmark move by African Health Ministers in 2012, the African Constituency Bureau (ACB) for the Global Fund was established, marking a significant step forward in ensuring that the voices of sub-Saharan African countries are heard in one of the world’s most crucial forums for health funding and policy-making. The ACB’s mission is straightforward yet vital: to streamline the engagement, participation, representation, and consensus-building among the sub-Saharan African countries within the Global Fund’s policy-making and governance frameworks.
The Global Fund’s governance structure recognizes sub-Saharan Africa through two principal constituencies: Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and Western and Central Africa (WCA). These constituencies collectively represent the governments of 46 nations, advocating for the interests and needs of millions who are on the frontline of the battle against some of the world’s most devastating diseases.
The ACB plays a pivotal role in this governance ecosystem. By providing high-level technical support, the ACB ensures that the African representatives to the Global Fund Board and its standing committees – Audit and Finance, Ethics and Governance, and Strategy – are well-equipped with a thorough analysis and synthesis of critical background documents. This empowerment enables them to bring the necessary information from their countries to the table, ensuring Africa’s interests are adequately represented and advocated for during the Global Fund’s biannual board meetings and the tri-annual meetings of its committees.
Addressing the Malaria Challenge in Africa: The Critical Role of Strategic Advisory
According to the World Health Organisation’s Malaria Report 2023, the African Region bears the brunt of the global malaria burden, accounting for more than 95% of all cases and 96% of deaths attributed to the disease. This situation persists despite significant efforts and investments by communities, governments, and international partners. Among these partners, the Global Fund stands out for its substantial financial commitment, having invested billions of dollars in the fight against malaria in Africa. This investment aims to strengthen health systems, enhance disease surveillance, and improve access to lifesaving interventions across the continent.
The stark statistics underline the urgency of providing evidence-based advice to African Board members, a cornerstone in the ongoing battle to eradicate malaria. This mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, which, in concert with the Global Fund’s objectives, seeks to eliminate HIV, TB, and malaria as public health threats by 2030.
In response to this challenge, the ACB Secretariat established the Malaria Technical Advisory Group (MaTAG) to enhance the ethical, timely, and relevant policy advice for malaria control efforts. MaTAG’s role is pivotal, offering strategic advice and technical insights that span the entire spectrum of malaria control and elimination. The group’s foundation is built on principles of transparency, responsiveness, and credibility, ensuring that its recommendations are both strategic and practical.
MaTAG’s guidance is designed to dovetail with programmatic and policy initiatives at the country and regional levels, especially within the ambit of the Global Fund’s operations and other pertinent global health institutions under the ACB’s purview. By aligning our advice with these initiatives, we ensure that our contributions are not just pertinent but also actionable, driving towards the shared goal of improving health outcomes through strategic collaboration with key global health stakeholders
a) Outcomes:
The MaTAG’s advice and recommendations are expected to enhance the effectiveness of ACB’s engagement in malaria control and elimination efforts. By providing expert guidance, the MaTAG will contribute to the strategic alignment of ACB’s activities with global best practices and the dynamic landscape of malaria control efforts.
b) Reporting:
The MaTAG will report directly to the designated oversight committee or executive body within ACB, ensuring that its recommendations are timely, relevant, and aligned with ACB’s strategic objectives.
c) Review and Adjustment:
The Terms of Reference for the MaTAG shall be reviewed annually or as necessary to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in guiding ACB’s engagement in malaria control and elimination initiatives. Adjustments may be made to reflect the evolving landscape of global health challenges and opportunities.
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