Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on countries affected by HIV, tuberculosis and malaria

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse the extraordinary gains made by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria partnership in the fight against the three epidemics. In 2020 we will likely see increases in deaths and new infections across all three diseases for the first time in many years as health and community systems are overwhelmed, treatment and prevention programs are disrupted, and resources are diverted. In many of the countries most heavily affected by HIV, TB and malaria, the knock-on impact of COVID-19 on these three diseases in terms of incremental deaths may outweigh the direct impact of the virus.

The document suggests the following:

1. COVID-19-related risk mitigation measures for programs to fight HIV, TB and malaria;
2. Protection of front-line health workers with PPE and training;
3. Reinforcement of systems for health, such as laboratory networks, supply chains, and communityled response systems; and
4. COVID-19 control and containment interventions, diagnostics, treatment, communications and other public measures as specified in WHO guidance and aligned with national Strategic Preparedness and Response Plans.