The Global Fund: why anti-corruption, transparency and accountability matter

Area of Science:

• Global Health Security
• International Development
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The Global Fund was established to finance the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
• Initial lack of anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability (ACTA) structures led to fund misuse and donor distrust.
• A need existed to strengthen ACTA to ensure effective grant management and restore confidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the implementation and impact of ACTA mechanisms instituted by the Global Fund.
• To investigate how these mechanisms addressed past issues of fraud and corruption.
• To provide insights into improving ACTA in global health financing.

Main Methods:

• Review of restructured governing committees and their mandates since 2011.
• Analysis of the adoption of a risk management framework and ethics initiatives.
• Examination of the role and activities of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

Main Results:

• Restructuring of committees enhanced Board oversight and operational management.
• Implementation of an Ethics and Integrity Framework and Ethics Office increased ethical considerations.
• The OIG's audits and investigations, alongside initiatives like 'I Speak Out Now!', improved fraud detection and prevention.

Conclusions:

• ACTA mechanisms implemented since 2011 have demonstrably reduced grant risks and procurement fraud.
• The Global Fund has moved from high to moderate risk classification and seen fewer investigations.
• Ongoing evaluation and adaptation of ACTA mechanisms are essential for long-term success and impact.