A troubled global health agency implemented sweeping changes yesterday in a bid to get its programmes going.
Mark Dybul is to be the new executive director of the Global Fund, it was announced. Dr Dybul is a former global AIDS coordinator for the USA.
The Fund was established to fight AIDS, TB and malaria and attracts billions of pounds in funding from countries and private donors.
But it has been gripped by crisis for the last two years and critics say it has been unable to approve new programmes.
Yesterday its board sacked one of its chief officers, inspector general John Parsons, in charge of audit and investigation.
And it set out its proposals for approving new projects.
Board vice-chair Mphu Ramatlapeng, former Lesotho health minister, said: "Mark Dybul is a dynamic and effective leader. He brings real knowledge, strategic vision and a commitment to working with partners."
The appointment was welcomed by the World Health Organisation.
Director-general Dr Margaret Chan said: "He is a strong leader and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Global Fund to improve public health."
Kerstin Akerfeldt, of Médecins Sans Frontières, said: “It’s been almost two years since the Global Fund has approved new grant proposals by countries that are grappling with the three epidemic diseases.
"The first item on the new Executive Director’s agenda should be making sure funding for new proposals gets out the door to accelerate much-needed treatment of HIV and drug-resistant tuberculosis, and raising the necessary funds to do so.
"Changes at the Global Fund must translate into life-saving support for the millions of people who are waiting for HIV and DR-TB treatment."
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