Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
New Vision (Kampala) - October 22, 2005
Anne Mugisa and Jude Etyang
The probe, chaired by Principal Judge James Ogoola, on Wednesday heard that the suspension of the Global Fund grants to Uganda was already having adverse effects.
The former Director General of Health services, Prof. Francis Omaswa, said he had information that Mildmay health centre, an HIV/AIDS hospital, had stopped registering new patients.
"We have a question of the grave implications of the suspension," Omaswa said, adding, "I have no doubt people are now dying.
From the papers, Mildmay has stopped recruiting new patients. Some drugs like the TB drugs have already run out, from what I hear."
The Global Fund was suspended in August, amid accusations of mismanagement of the funds.
Omaswa said the fund had been characterised by squabbles between the Uganda side and Geneva and between some Ugandan implementers and the Project management Unit (PMU), which managed the funds.
He said while the wrangles with Geneva were over attempts to impose drugs on Uganda, the wrangles between the Ugandan implementers and PMU were because some of them had been turned down because they never had proper proposals.
Omaswa also said the Fund and its local agent, PriceWaterHousecoopers (PWHC), misled the government by saying there was no problem and then sprang a surprise suspension of the grants.
He said a few months earlier, PWHC had even recommended the extension of Uganda's grant into the second phase.
Earlier, the finance ministry permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Chris Kassami, testified that PWHC never informed him of anything wrong with the Fund management.
Both Omaswa and Kassami also blamed the Fund for imposing management structures, the Country Coordinating mechanisms (CCM) and the PMU, instead of using government structures.
"The Port-Folio Manager came for negotiations and he is the one who insisted on the CCM. In fact, many people abroad were surprised when we established CCM yet we had SWAP (Sector Wide Approach Programme). We were really forced into it," said Omaswa, who is now with the World Health Organisation.
051022
NV051017
Copyright © 2005 - The New Vision. All articles are republished on AEGIS by permission. Material may not be redistributed, posted to any other location, published or used for broadcast without written authorization from Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, The New Vision, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala - Uganda, Tel/fax: 256-41-235221, E-mail: wpike@newvision.co.ug.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .