Save the Children, as the principal recipient of the Global Fund grant, organised a learning and sharing event to discuss the results and impact of its HIV, TB, and Malaria programmes.

Save the Children Nepal said in a statement that the programme highlighted key accomplishments and lessons learned from implementing the grant.

Speaking at the event, Tara Chettry, country director of Save the Children Nepal, said the collaborative leadership and guidance from the Nepal government, civil society organisations, and partnerships with local partners and communities are key reasons why Save the Children’s performance in Global Fund implementation has consistently been rated as 'good' or better.

“Together with national programmes, we have reached more than eight million people affected by HIV, TB, and Malaria through a program spread across all 77 districts of Nepal,” said Chettry.

Strategic intervention in malaria programming has resulted in a 64 percent reduction of malaria hotspots, leaving only 15 active foci in 2023, according to Save the Children. Furthermore, 16 indigenous cases of malaria were identified in 2023, marking significant progress towards achieving the national goal of reducing cases to zero, according to the statement.

The case notification of TB has increased by 35 percent, and the treatment success rate has risen from 89 percent to 92 percent compared to 2020. Program implementation has helped close the gap in the 95-95-95 targets, linking those diagnosed with HIV to treatment, care, and support. The national programme, with support from the Global Fund grant, has identified 94 percent of the total estimated People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and linked 87% to antiretroviral therapy treatment, of which 74 percent have suppressed viral loads. The cash transfer program for children living with HIV (CLHIV) has also been key in ensuring 100 percent antiretroviral therapy treatment enrolment for CLHIVs.

Speaking at the event, Dr Tanka Barakoti, additional secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, said, "We need to take stock of these learnings and continue the impact and progress being made. The Nepal Government is proud to work together with Save the Children to fight HIV, TB, and malaria."

Deepak Paudel, chief of party of the Global Fund Project at Save the Children, said Save the Children has provided financial and technical assistance to improve health sector planning, leadership, and governance and ensure that adequate strategies and guidelines are in place, such as the 10-year national supply chain strategy.

“Investments have been made to improve health systems, including the construction of Provincial Public Health Laboratories in Koshi and Lumbini provinces, medical warehouses in Bagmati and Sudurpaschim provinces, and the expansion of diagnostic facilities such as viral load and GeneXpert sites,” he said.