The Global Fund IWG dinner date with parliamentarians: A missed opportunity

The India Working Group (IWG) of the Global Fund in association with a network of national civil society organisations met with various MPs for an informal dinner on Wednesday, July 24, at Le Meridien, New Delhi. The objective was to establish a dialogue with the parliament aiming to raise more funds and seek India’s pledge to the Global Fund health initiative. The organisation, working to eradicate HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis was seeking more conversations on health and welfare at the national level, keeping local scenarios in mind and to take into consideration minority groups in their initiatives.

Issues raised at the event included the doubling of India’s contribution to the Global Fund from $20 million to $40 million and the increase of India’s health budget from 1.2% GDP to 2.5% GDP. The standard for developing countries is 5%. Active initiative was asked to be taken for the inclusion of minorities and the removal of stigma in society for those living with HIV, TB or are from trans communities or sex workers.

A proposition was also made by civil society members from NCPI Plus, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, Caritas India, Global Coalition of TB Activists, Global Health Strategies and others where the MPs were offered to be educated so as to empower them to raise more informed health and social issues in the parliament.

The MPs in attendance at the event at various instances were Dr. Vikas Mahatme, Dr. Kirit Bhai Solanki, Dr. Chellakumar, Mr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Ajay Pratap Singh and Mr. Ramamurthy along with Minister of State for Social Justice and Welfare Ramdas Bandu Athawale. They were in attendance for short durations at various stages of the presentations at the event and thus didn’t manage to have a full understanding of what was going on.

Representatives from Global Fund at the event, Charlotte Diaz and Dianne Stewart from South Africa and France respectively presented their agendas to all with data of the work they’ve done with international and domestic organisations across the globe to aid developing countries, where, India, it seems was already counted among the top donors-recipients. The data showed decrease in the three diseases with the help of local bodies by almost 50% in certain cases. Doctors and social workers alike were of the opinion that the three diseases being addressed together is key to making a difference.

The response from the MPs however was lukewarm at best. Ramamurthy asked for more information even as data and paperwork were provided and offered to arrange for a memorandum to seek an appointment with the Health Minister. The government’s ‘Ayushman Bharat’ was cited several times throughout the event as the means to fix all health related issues even as the Fund, working closely with the WHO, insisted that it was a vehicle for change, yes, but not the solution.

The organisation plans to meet with the Health Minister soon and seek further assistance from the Indian government to work towards eradicating HIV, TB and Malaria in India and other developing countries by 2030. With PM Modi’s assistance they hope to secure the funds and India’s pledge for assistance in the cause.