By: Isatou Jawara
The Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and Global Fund The Gambia recently organized an induction meeting to update new members to review the National health strategic plan and other important matters related to the health sector.
The CCM is established to monitor the implementation and approved the Global Fund projects. The CCM is comprises of relevant stakeholder which includes the Government and NGOs. The induction meeting was held at Action Aid head office.
Addressing the committee members Mr Yusupa J Gomez, Chairman of CCM said that, the purpose of the Global Fund is to attract, manage and disburse resources through a public-private partnership that will make a sustainable and significant contribution to the reduction of infections, illness and death, thereby mitigating the impact caused by HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
According to him during the past decade, the Global Fund was the largest external funder in the health sector for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, providing over US$154 million of international donor funding since 2004.
He said The Global Fund continues to support the national response to HIV, TB and Malaria in The Gambia since 2004.
Gomez explained that with additional resources this approach will have a significant impact on the reduction of infections, illness and death from the three above mentioned diseases.
“This is done through a country-driven, coordinated and multi-sector approach involving all relevant partners. The Global Fund interventions are coordinated at the national level by a national consensus group known as the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM)” he added.
He noted that this body has been established in response of the requirements and recommendations of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, in partnership with national programs, this combined effort has saved and transformed lives of many in The Gambia.
He urged the committee to share with CCM relevant information concerning the Global Fund, CCM and the ongoing grants with new members of CCM.