OF NOTE THIS WEEK

Last Friday, the U.S. State Department, USAID and the Department of Health and Human Services jointly announced that eight countries have been selected as "learning labs" for implementation of the Global Health Initiative. These "GHI Plus" countries—Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nepal and Rwanda—will receive additional technical assistance and resources for programs in infectious disease, maternal and child health, family planning and building health systems, Reuters reports. "GHI Plus countries will provide enhanced opportunities to build upon existing public health programs; improve program performance; and work in close collaboration with partner governments, across U.S. Government agencies, and with global partners", the joint press release said.

An Implementation of the Global Health Initiative consultation document was released in February. A revised version, incorporating feedback from Congress, partner countries, civil society, etc. will be released late summer 2010.

This past Monday June 21, 2010, the HIV/AIDS Monitor hosted an event, What is Country Ownership Anyway? Rethinking Global Health Partnerships. The event, which featured opening remarks by Ethiopian Minister of Health, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and a panel discussion with high-level U.S. government representatives and global health experts from Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia, sparked a lively and informative discussion, including how the U.S. government can move forward with the key principle of country ownership in their Global Health Initiative. To read more on the key messages to come out of the event discussion, see here. A video of the event is available here.

NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DONORS

• The US Government issues a press release on the announcement of "GHI Plus" countries
• The Global Fund issues press release confirming the freeze on funds to Zambia's Ministry of Health
• Global Fund Executive Direcor, Michel Kazatchkine, meets with Indonesia's president to boost voice for increased global health investments
• The World Bank will host its second debate, Behavior Change for HIV Prevention, part of a larger debate series focusing on emerging issues in the HIV response

OTHER NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

• The AIDS Funding Dilemma (Miller-McCune)
• Playing for high stakes at the G20 (Guardian)
• Rwanda: Govt, U.S. Sign Five-Year AIDS Partnership (All Africa)
• Zambia: Microbicide Gel - In Search of HIV Prevention (All Africa)
• Funding threat to Uganda's winning AIDS program (CNN, Inside Africa)
• World Bank provides over $63M for multi-country lab network in East Africa Region (The Medical News)

RECENT CGD HEALTH POLICY BLOGS

• Country Ownership and Rethinking Global Health Partnerships: From Dependence to Symbiosis By Nandini Oomman
• Could Local Public Disclosure Improve Country Ownership? By Mead Over
• Antiretroviral Drugs Will Retain Their Power Longer if Donors and Governments Assure Good Adherence By Mead Over
• Yet Another Inconvenient Truth: AIDS Treatment Is a Costly Way to Save Lives By Bill Savedoff

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.