KIGALI - Rwanda has received a vote of confidence from the Global Fund (GF), an international organization fighting HV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The country was, yesterday, recognized for its proper management and use of GF funds, as delegates from more than 15 African countries and India gathered in Kigali.

The Director of Global Fund Unit, Africa and Middle East, Samuel Boateng, said Kigali offered important lessons on the transparent management of the fund’s money.

The meeting aims at improving the management of Global Fund’s donations in beneficiary countries.

"Rwanda has effectively adopted the Global Fund architecture – all the grants have transitioned to single stream funding. Based on the high Level Panel Reports, Rwanda can share a lot of good lessons and practices on risk management and fiduciary control,” Boateng said.

The Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, stated that accountability, transparency and proper management were critical. She reaffirmed Rwanda’s zero tolerance-to-corruption policy.

"Our stance on accountability issues does not leave room for mismanagement, including managing the Global Fund cash,” Binagwaho said.

The Coordinator of the Management Unit of the Global Fund in the country, Dr Daniel Ngamije, said that, so far, Rwanda has received $450 million out of the promised $750 million from the Fund.

He noted that the Fund had significantly helped in the fight against HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the country.

GF has also helped in improving the lives of persons infected and affected by HIV/Aids and TB, he added.

Ends