Latin America and the Caribbean is comprised of more than 35 countries and small island states with widely varying cultures, languages and social and economic situations. The provision of public health care services in the region faces a num- ber of challenges, including high levels of violence or armed conflict in some countries, difficult natural environments which contribute to the spread of diseases such as malaria and limited access to care. Approximately 8 percent of the region’s total population — some 47 million people — lives in poverty.

In this region AIDS, TB and malaria are taking a heavy toll. It is estimated that as of 2008 there were more than 1.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS, that the number of TB cases reached nearly 350,000 and that at least 2.6 million people were infected with malaria. In the same year, the number of estimated deaths resulting from the three diseases rose above 100,000.

Although a number of governments have increased their expenditures on public health, access to health care services is still limited for the majority of the region. This lack of access hinders early diagnosis and treatment, and inflicts a disproportionately heavier burden on poor and vulnerable populations. The grants awarded by the Global Fund are for programs that target these populations, whether it be in a large country or a small island nation.

Global Fund grants have been awarded to 21 countries in the region (with an additional 9 countries receiving funds as part of a multicountry program) for a total value of more than US$ 1.6 billion through the first eight rounds of funding. Strengthening health care systems in these countries benefits the entire region — even those countries not directly receiving support from the Global Fund, as treating TB in one country prevents its spread to neighboring countries, for example.

Global Fund grants in this region fill critical gaps in national health care plans for the prevention, treatment and control of the three diseases. Over eight funding rounds, the Global Fund Board has approved close to US$ 1.6 billion for the region, which currently has 85 grants. Disbursements for the region (as of March 2009) represent more than 9 percent of total funds disbursed by the Global Fund. Grants are managed by Principal Recipients, selected during the grant development stage by the CCM.

Source: Regional Overview, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Global Fund, 2009