The Global Fund was proposed by Nigeria Government to act as the Implementing Entity (IE) for its $13 million portion of a multi-country proposal to establish regional Biomedical Engineering centers of excellence which will focusing on enhancing oxygen capabilities to complement the C19RM Oxygen investment in Nigeria.
It is the first time that the Global Fund is selected as the implementing entity for the Pandemic Fund project. Nigeria recognizes the proposal’s potential regional benefits, and the Global Fund is willing to act as the implementing entity, contingent upon approval by the Pandemic Fund’s Board in October 2024. The Federal Ministry of Health recognizes the Global Fund as implementing entity to integrate the resources into the existing Oxygen investment as a strong pillar to support integration effective partnership and strategic engagement in building resilient and sustainable system for health and saving lives.
This synergy will strengthen collaboration between the Global Fund, the Pandemic Fund, and countries to enhance critical pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) functions in eligible countries and territories, through investments and technical support at the national level, as well as at the regional and global levels. The Pandemic Fund is expected to support and reinforce capacity building and implementation of PPR under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) towards universal health coverage goals.
Increase collaboration to improve RSSH
The multi-country proposal to the Pandemic Fund aims to create three regional centers of excellence in biomedical engineering across West, East, and Southern Africa, focusing on oxygen capabilities. Nigeria is proposed as the West African center, with investments targeting the development of a skilled workforce in biomedical sciences and e-health, enhancing pandemic preparedness, and supporting regional health coverage goals. The investments will cover: 1) Capacity building for biomedical engineers and technicians; 2) Upgrading and constructing the Center of Excellence at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital; and 3) Strengthening regional coordination through private sector partnerships and knowledge sharing. The Global Fund is proposed as the Implementing Entity for Nigeria, with a $13 million funding request, including a 7% administrative fee ($910,000), and a three-year investment period starting in February 2025.
The Global Fund Board approved the proposal to serve as Implementing Entity as one -off, noting that it would enhance and sustain existing C19RM investments in oxygen infrastructure in Nigeria. By strengthening institutional and workforce capacity for biomedical engineers, the proposal aims to ensure the effective management and maintenance of oxygen supplies. If approved, the Global Fund would implement these funds alongside current oxygen investments.
African positioning for effective fund utilization, coordination and integration
Mr. Daniel Domelevo, a member of the Global Fund Audit and Finance Committee representing African constituencies, shared that this decision that the Global Fund to serve as Implementing Entity for Nigeria’s Pandemic Fund proposal is a one-time restricted decision to act. The Secretariat suggests initially exploring this role to inform future Global Fund-Pandemic Fund collaborations.
The practice of Nigeria is demonstrating strong partnership and good governance which are essential in effectively implementing the Global Fund’s strategies to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Good governance helps to ensure transparent, accountable, and efficient use of resources, enabling targeted interventions and equitable access to care.
Through strategic partnerships, diverse expertise and resources are leveraged, optimizing efforts to build resilient health systems. This collaborative approach strengthens local capacities, ensures sustainability, and drives impactful results in the fight against these diseases and the building of strong PPR systems. By aligning strategies with country, regional, and local needs and global standards, good collaboration and governance not only address health challenges but also lay the foundation for long-term health system improvements and increased resilience.
Nigeria’s call for proposal emphasizes synergy between centers linking the three regional centers of excellence in Biomedical Engineering to academia, supporting equipment maintenance, and ensuring healthcare worker safety.
This proposal also encourages partnerships among countries to tackle shared health challenges because of a specific feature of the Multi-Country and Regional Proposals. Countries that were part of successful multi-country grants in previous calls are eligible to apply for both single-country and multi-country grants in the second Call for Proposals.
The proposal discusses partnerships in several key areas related to the initiatives under the Pandemic Fund including co-creation and inclusivity which highlights that the proposal should be co-created with the participation of relevant stakeholders, adhering to principles of co-creation, co-ownership, inclusivity, and participation throughout the project’s implementation; as well as coordination mechanisms fostering coordination nationally and regionally, indicating that planned activities will contribute to improved cross-sectoral coordination. This involves direct and indirect mechanisms to strengthen coordination among various sectors and countries.
Christelle Muvunyi
