Health Finance and Governance for an AIDS-free Generation

Today, on World AIDS Day, staff from USAID’s Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project join the global community in honoring those who have lost their lives to AIDS and in reaffirming our commitment to drive progress towards an AIDS-free generation by 2030. To reach this goal we must make sure strong health systems are in place to support HIV prevention, and provide high-quality, affordable care and treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS.

In Malengachanzi, Malawi, Malia John, a mother living with HIV, proudly holds her son, Cephas, who is HIV-free thanks to prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services. © 2017 Eric Bond / Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Courtesy of Photoshare

Three ways to create sustainable health systems for an AIDS-free generation

1) Increased domestic funding

Once you analyze the resources that are available, the funding gaps, and the potential impact of different levels of investment on the HIV epidemic, you can identify new public and private financial resources or improve the use of existing resources to close the HIV/AIDS finance gap. This not only helps make sure funding is efficiently and continuously allocated to pay for the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS services but also helps makes sure countries reduce their dependency on donor funds.

A counselor provides HIV testing services to livestock herders during community outreach services in the Eremit area of Kajiado County, Kenya. © 2012 George N. Obanyi/FHI 360, Courtesy of Photoshare

2) Better use of financial data

It’s not always easy to understand the costs and benefits of different interventions. For example, what are the costs and benefits of integrating HIV/AIDS services with other health services. Integrating the delivery of health services should be a priority in the fight for an AIDS-free generation, because it has the potential to improve access to HIV, family planning (FP), and other services and provide continuous care for those living with HIV. Using financial data to guide program implementation is important no matter the intervention.

A child holds up a banner reading “HIV Free Generation” at a 2016 World AIDS Day mass community event in Blantyre, Malawi. © 2016 Nandi Bwanali/ONE COMMUNITY, Courtesy of Photoshare

3) Institutional learning and capacity building

Like all good programs, it takes strong management and organizational capacity to run an effective national-level HIV/AIDS program. This means being able to develop HIV/AIDS strategies and plans, implement activities, mobilize funds for basic operating costs, and exercise effective internal leadership and management.

A health worker tests a client for HIV at Eduardo Mondlane Health Center in Chimoio, Mozambique. © 2015 Arturo Sanabria, Courtesy of Photoshare

USAID’s Health Finance and Governance (HFG) Project works to support countries as they strive to improve their health systems and ensure health gains are preserved. In collaboration with USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS, USAID missions and country partners, HFG supports countries as they lead, manage, and increasingly finance the efforts needed to achieve an AIDs-free generation and ensure that their HIV/AIDS response is effective and efficient.

HFG is a five-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Cooperative Agreement No: AID-OAA-A-12–00080. The HFG project is led by Abt Associates in collaboration with Avenir Health, Broad Branch Associates, Development Alternatives Inc., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Results for Development Institute, RTI International, and Training Resources Group, Inc. For more Information visit www.HFGProject.org