Global Fund board terminates employment of Inspector General

"The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said in a statement Thursday that its board had terminated the employment of Inspector General John Parsons 'after a careful review of his performance, which was found to be unsatisfactory,'" the Associated Press reports (11/15). "The decision ... , which was effective immediately, was based on a review by the board, an independent external peer review of the audit function, and a report by the group's audit and ethics committee," Reuters notes (Nebehay, 11/15). In a statement, the Global Fund said, "The Board confirms its full support for an independent and strong Office of the Inspector General." The statement continues, "The Board said that it recognized the need to maintain continuity in the work of the audits and investigations currently underway, while the Global Fund conducts a search for a new Inspector General." That process is expected to take about six months, and an interim Inspector General will be appointed soon, according to the statement (11/15).

The Global Fund also "is poised to announce a new leader Thursday," Inter Press Service reports (McHaney, 11/14). Former Global Fund Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine "stepped down in January following criticism over misuse of funds and cuts in funding," causing the Fund to take steps toward reform, Reuters writes, noting, "Gabriel Jaramillo, a former chairman and chief executive officer of Sovereign Bank, was appointed general manager for one year to 'transform the organization' after Kazatchkine's departure" (11/15). IPS examines the history of the Global Fund since Kazatchkine's leaving and includes comments from Amanda Glassman, director of global health policy at the Center for Global Development, and Deborah Derrick, president of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (11/14).