Parliament to scrutinise HIV and Aids funds

The Parliamentary Committee on HIV and Aids and Nutrition will this week demand explanations from Global Fund recipients, especially Ministry of Health on the absorption and management of the funds.

The development comes after the Global Fund stopped channelling funds through National Aids Commission (NAC) early last year and the alleged theft of K2.5 billion donor money meant for HIV Aids fight.

According to a schedule The Nation has seen, apart from the Ministry of Health the committee will also meet ActionAid and World Vision as principal recipients of Global Fund money.

“The committee will meet Ministry of Health on the programmes of its work, in particular on issues related to Global Fund funding absorption and activities as well as current status of the HIV and Aids,” reads the schedule in part.

ActionAid took over administration of the Global Fund grants in Malawi in February last year after NAC was stripped of its status as principal recipient following controversies in the management of funds.

HIV and Aids and Nutrition committee chairperson, Deus Banda, said they will also ask the ministry to give a report on its findings on the alleged theft of K2.5 billion donor money which was not accounted for.

Meanwhile, the committee is also expected to meet with Malawi Network of Aids Service Organisations (Manaso) and Health and Rights Education Programme (HREP) on their programmes, in particular their contribution towards the reduction of HIV prevalence and alleviation of suffering caused by the HIV pandemic in Malawi.

The meetings are scheduled from September 20 to 22 at Parliament building in Lilongwe.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has pledged 366 million pounds investment per year into Global Fund.

In a press release, UK’s International Development Secretary Priti Patel said the investment comes with set targets to ensure maximum impact.