Global Fund approves additional funding to keep up health services in Bangladesh after devastating floods – press releases

Global Fund approves additional funding to keep up health services in Bangladesh after devastating floods

October 2, 2024

– The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) has approved USD 1.06 million in emergency financing to handle health needs in eastern districts of Bangladesh brought on by severe flooding.

Since August 22, 2024, heavy rainfall combined with a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal and the discharge of water from upstream sources led to the worst flooding Bangladesh has experienced in three many years. As of September 9, 2024, 540,510 people have been displaced and 71 people have died. Rescue operations in hard-to-reach areas are hampered by the dearth of adequate road infrastructure and mobile networks, leaving 1.2 million people without communication and access to assist. The flood caused widespread destruction of water, sanitation, social and health infrastructure, making a serious public health crisis.

The recent funds will support a spread of interventions targeting people staying in temporary shelters, health care facilities and distant and hard-to-reach areas in 37 flood-affected sub-districts. These interventions will include testing and treatment services for HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria; dietary support for tuberculosis patients currently on treatment to make sure the effectiveness of their treatment, reduce the chance of disease reoccurrence and reduce their increased susceptibility to other infections; screening for febrile and other climate-related illnesses; deploying mobile medical teams and temporary health care centers in shelters; and the deployment of insecticide-treated nets in flood-affected areas to forestall the chance of developing vector-borne diseases.

The funding shall be provided over a period of 4 months by the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) and the international development organization BRAC.

“Saving lives is our priority. We are committed to restoring essential health care services as quickly as possible to TB, malaria and HIV patients affected by the floods, and to providing support to government health facilities to resume services,” said Mark Edington, director of grant management on the Global Fund. “Bangladesh’s response to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria has been consistent and decisive over the years, but the increasing effects of climate change threaten the country’s progress. With flexibility, innovative approaches and strong partnerships with emergency services and community groups on the ground, Bangladesh and the Global Fund can address the challenges posed by climate change.”

The $1.06 million in emergency funding is along with the $166.3 million allocated to Bangladesh to keep up progress within the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and strengthen health and social systems across the country in 2023-2025.

Since 2003, the Global Fund has invested nearly $900 million in Bangladesh to support the country’s progress within the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, construct more resilient and sustainable health systems, and protect existing gains within the face of multiple challenges posed by climate change, including cyclones, floods, extreme heat and rising sea levels.