ISLAMABAD: In a major blow to Pakistan’s public health response, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has slashed financial support for the country by over $27 million, despite rising infections of HIV, TB, and malaria, The News reported.
According to an official communication, Pakistan’s allocation under Grant Cycle 7 has been reduced from $250.8 million to $223.6 million due to global financial constraints and reprioritization of funding.
The National TB Control Program has taken the biggest hit, with its share falling from $145.7 million to $129.9 million. Funding for HIV/AIDS, managed by the National AIDS Control Program and UNDP Pakistan, has also been cut, along with support for malaria interventions.
The decision comes amid growing frustration from both donors and Pakistani health experts over inefficiencies, leadership voids, and mismanagement in grant implementation. The Common Management Unit (CMU) — tasked with overseeing all three disease programs — is currently leaderless, and none of the three disease programs have full-time national managers in place.
While the Ministry of National Health Services has begun recruiting for top positions, health experts caution that without transparent hiring of qualified and accountable professionals, Pakistan risks losing more than just funding.
The health crisis continues to grow:
- HIV: Over 1,200 new cases monthly are reported, though actual numbers may be double or triple due to underreporting.
- Tuberculosis: With 610,000+ annual cases, Pakistan ranks among the world’s top five TB-burdened countries, including rising cases of drug-resistant TB.
- Malaria: Once neglected, it’s resurging due to climate change, poor mosquito control, and floods.
The Global Fund’s letter urges Pakistani authorities to revise and reprioritize the use of available funds, warning that failure to submit a revised plan by July 14, 2025, will result in the automatic enforcement of reduced budgets.
Experts, officials, and civil society are calling for urgent reforms to restore confidence in Pakistan’s health programs. Without them, the lives of thousands remain at risk, and international donor trust could further erode.
