To ensure better health for all and  achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, it is imperative that programmes reaching key, vulnerable and underserved populations, addressing human rights and gender-related barriers to access to health services, and strengthening community-led responses, remain at the centre of health interventions. This is the focus of a high-level event ‘Making Universal Health Coverage Work for Key, Vulnerable and Underserved Populations – The role of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’ on 7 May 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Global Fund

The objective of the event is to increase understanding of the role of the Global Fund in combatting the three diseases in the context of universal health coverage (UHC). Furthermore, the event aims at raising awareness about the importance of ensuring full funding for the Global Fund in the next replenishment cycle.

Recently, the Global Fund has announced its fundraising target for the next three-year cycle, outlining how a minimum of US$14 billion will help save 16 million lives. In addition, the Global Fund Advocates Network has made a strong case for significant increases in funding to the Global Fund with a replenishment target of US$16.8 to 18 billion. The Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment Conference will be held in Lyon on 10 October 2019.

HIV, tuberculosis and malaria infections are leading causes of premature deaths and ill health worldwide. Despite tremendous progress in recent years, the number of new HIV infections is rising in around 50 countries. 1.8 million people become newly infected every year. Tuberculosis is the world’s most lethal infectious disease, with over 10 million new cases each year. Malaria, with an estimated 216 million people infected, remains a major killer of children, taking the life of a child every two minutes.

Key populations

Key, vulnerable and underserved populations are left behind in the responses to these three diseases. Inequity within and among countries, stigma and discrimination, human rights violations, and discriminatory laws, policies and practices prevent these populations from accessing the services they desperately need.

High-level event

This event is hosted by the French Government with the support of Aidsfonds, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Groupe Sida Genève, Medicus Mundi Switzerland (MMS), Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). It will bring together Geneva-based stakeholders, including Permanent Missions, UN agencies, civil society, private sector and other interested actors.

Registration is required. You can find further information here.