Global Fund, Nigeria sign agreements worth $225M to prevent, treat malaria

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Nigeria on Friday "signed two grant agreements ... worth a total of $225 million to support programs that will prevent and treat malaria," a Global Fund press release reports. According to the press release, the agreements "include an additional $50 million for bed nets, approved in an unusual move by the Global Fund Board that was linked to additional commitments by the government of Nigeria" (8/24). Global Fund Deputy Executive Director Debrework Zewdie "told top government functionaries that the [money] is meant to assure the international community that Nigeria is a worthy partner in the fight to eradicate malaria," ThisDay writes, adding, "During a transformation of the fund's grant management structure this year, Nigeria was identified as one of the 20 'high impact' countries that are now receiving special attention" (8/26). Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CEO of Access Bank and chair of the Friends of the Global Fund Africa, "described the grant as [an] opportunity for Nigeria to show leadership and commitment in the fight against malaria by committing more resources to save lives," the Daily Trust notes (Atonko, 8/26).