HomeNews & storiesNobody can solve the community’s problems, but the community
HomeNews & storiesNobody can solve the community’s problems, but the community
Nobody can solve the community’s problems, but the community
Last updated on: 19 February 2025
“Partnerships like Breakthrough is critical in innovation, acceleration and sustainability”. We spoke with Happy Betty of the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation, partner in the Paediatric HIV Breakthrough Partnership, about the achievements of Breakthrough so far, the role of Aidsfonds within this partnership and what is needed to achieve the global goals on children living with HIV.
What are you most proud of what Breakthrough has achieved so far?
Partnership like Breakthrough is critical in innovation, acceleration and sustainability. So it’s very prudent that more of partnerships like breakthrough are formed to ensure that interventions are quickly innovated, implementation is accelerated to the community level, and sustainability is fostered.
How do you see the role of Aidsfonds within Breakthrough?
From the EGPAF perspective on the partnership. Aidsfonds has brought on board strong community engagement by capacitating communities to solve their own problems. An example of the village savings and loans associations has been critical in capacitating the community with resources in terms of money to take care of their children, which in turn, responds to the gaps, some of the gaps that we see in healthcare service delivery, like adherence.
What do you think is needed to achieve the global goals on children living with HIV?
Achieving global goals for children living with HIV is going to need collaboration. Collaboration from global to national, up to community levels. Capacitating communities is going to be critical for problem solving, because nobody can solve the community’s problems, but the community.
Strong Political Commitment to Global Health and SRHR
Strong Political Commitment to Global Health and SRHR
On 20 April, the multi‑party initiative (MPI) for global health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) was officially re-launched. During the event at Nieuwspoort, Members of Parliament, civil society organisations and experts discussed the importance of strong Dutch leadership on these themes. New research was also presented, highlighting the significant impact of Dutch investments in global health and SRHR. The launch marked an inspiring and promising start to this collaborative initiative.
The EU Steps Up for Global Health in Uncertain Times
The EU Steps Up for Global Health in Uncertain Times
Today, the European Commission announced its intention to pledge a total of €700 million overall for the 8th Global Fund’s replenishment, subject to the outcome of the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations.
At a time when budgets are under strain, priorities are competing, and the world feels increasingly unstable, stepping up for people affected by HIV, TB and malaria around the world is very welcome and a clear sign of the EU’s ambition to lead on global health. This commitment will help save millions of lives and keep everyone safer, including in Europe. It will support Africa’s ability to lead on its own health priorities, and build resilience in places under severe stress. This includes countries affected by war, such as Ukraine, where the continuity of HIV and TB services is critical not only for emergency response, but also for long-term recovery. With many donors cutting back on aid, the Commission’s renewed support for the Global Fund sends a much-needed signal of leadership and solidarity.
