OF NOTE THIS WEEK

Developed in response to requests for a more streamlined funding mechanism, a National Strategy Application (NSA) is an innovative funding approach from the Global Fund which aims to align Global Fund financing with country priorities outlined in their national disease strategies. Roll-out of NSAs has been phased, with the 'First Learning Wave' of NSAs implemented in 2009. The Global Fund is now announcing the Second Wave of NSAs to a limited scope of countries. Countries are invited to express interest to the Fund by February 23, 2011. See here for more detailed information on who can participate, how to express interest, and selection criteria.

NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DONORS

• Michel Kazatchkine was appointed to a second term as Executive Director of the Global Fund
• Ambassador Goosby blogged on U.S. HIV/AIDS programs in Haiti a year after the earthquake. See here for a fact sheet on PEPFAR's work in Haiti

OTHER NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Africa's Epidemic of Disappearing Medicine (Foreign Policy)
• Kenya under probe over misuse of HIV funds (Daily Nation)
• Uganda: Desperately seeking condoms in the north (Relief Web)
• Uganda: Muslim women back condoms for HIV prevention (PlusNews)
• Self-forming patient groups in Mozambique successfully distribute ARVs, monitor treatment (Aidsmap)
• Zambia: Don't ignore children of sex workers (News Day)
• Bush recounts global AIDS initiative, PEPFAR (Daily Campus)

RECENT CGD HEALTH POLICY BLOGS

• Bring Out the Punching Bag Again: The IMF, Aid, and Public Spending on Health By Amanda Glassman
• Our New Year's Resolution: Better, Faster, Cheaper Clinical Trials for the World's Poorest By Tom Bollyky

HIV/AIDS MONITOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPACT

• The HIV/AIDS Monitor has been tracking the policy changes among PEPFAR, the Global Fund and the World Bank MAP related to the recommendations that have come out of our research. Explore these changes using our interactive flash tool.