The Angolan Ministry of Health (MOH) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Angola announce the launch of the new Global Fund Grant for the period 2021-2024, which will invest USD103.2 million in the national health system to help fight against HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis and COVID-19 in the country. This grant will be directed to the provinces of Cuanza Sul and Benguela, within the framework of the new sub-national approach of the Global Fund.

The launch of the grant will take place on July 21^st, in Luanda, and Her Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta, will be present, as will the UNDP Interim Resident Representative in Angola, the Chair of the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund, senior members of the Government and representatives of United Nations agencies. There will also be ceremonies to mark the start of this important grant in the provinces of Benguela and Cuanza Sul, on 26^th and 28^th July.

This grant has ambitious goals, such as keeping HIV prevalence at around 1.1% in general population, reducing new infections, increasing the coverage of antiretroviral treatment and reducing the percentage of infections in children of HIV-positive mothers to 4%, by 2023. In 2019, about 91,000 Angolans received antiretroviral treatment and last year that number rose to more than 105,000 people. Also in 2020, more than 5000 pregnant women received treatment to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission.

UNDP has also been working closely with men who have sex with men, female sex workers and adolescent and young girls, to reduce the number of new HIV infections among key and vulnerable populations, and was able to deliver HIV prevention services to about 40 000 people last year.

For tuberculosis, the goal is to reduce the incidence rate from 355 to 320 per 100,000 inhabitants and the mortality rate to 40 per 100,000, by 2023, by increasing the number of reported cases, including multi-drug resistant cases, and helping to improve the success rate for all forms of tuberculosis.

Regarding malaria, the funding aims to reduce the number of deaths from 26 to 19 per 100 inhabitants, while ensuring that, at least 90% of the population in the two provinces use long lasting insecticidal nets and 100% of suspected cases are tested and treated.

COVID-19 services will also be delivered through the grant, including individual protective equipment for health and community workers, tests and other diagnostic products and oxygen equipment for serious cases. UNDP will also be supporting the national health information system, the national procurement and supply management system as well as community support systems through this grant.

In Angola, UNDP has been Global Fund Principal Recipient since 2005, helping the country deliver essential HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis services while strengthening health and community systems. From 2016 – 2024, UNDP helped the country mobilise 157 million USD in approved grants. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNDP also supported Angola Country Coordinating Mechanisms in securing 26 million USD from the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism.