Global Fund clarifies on alleged $200m loan for mosquito nets

• ‘FG needs to pay $360m counterpart fund for malaria intervention’

Representative of the Country Coordinating Mechanism for Global Fund, Mr. Ibrahim Tajudeen, has faulted media reports alleging the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, is seeking a $200 million loan for importation of mosquito nets, saying the figure was quoted out of context.

He explained that the total counterpart fund being requested by the ministry, in the form of loans for malaria intervention, is $360 million, which the breakdown includes $200 million from the World Bank; $100 million from Africa Development Bank; and $60 million from Islamic Development Bank for malaria intervention in 13 states, which have been neglected by government.

Answering questions from journalists in Abuja, during the quarterly advocacy meeting of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Tajudeen also said government is expected to provide funds to place 100,000 people on antiretroviral drugs and provide Isoniazid for Tuberculosis programme.

He argued that it wouldn’t be asking too much, if a donor that gave over $1.1 billion asks for counterpart fund from the Federal Government towards malaria intervention in the 13 states.

He said Global Fund usually gives allocation letters to countries every three years, stressing that Nigeria was fortunate to be one of the nations that received highest allocation for the 2021 to 2023 implementation period.

Tajudeen said the Fund, in December 2019, communicated the amount allocated to Nigeria and conditions attached for the country to access full funding.