PartnersGF - 2004-11-24 

Future role of the GFATM?
Robert S. Stewart
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“THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SO MANY OF THE TOP EXECUTIVES AND STAFF WORKERS HAVE NO REAL WORKING EXPERIENCE IN THE AFFECTED COUNTRIES”

I wish to add a short word to the future role of the GFATM. Having been involved in its creation and long before (carted vials of blood from Mulago Hospital to the Institute for Tropical Medicine and CDC in 1980 to confirm HTLV III), I can only say the "last mile" is still missing in the process.

The GFATM has started a tornado of more corruption throughout Africa and less than 5% of efforts are hitting targeted populations. I toured twelve countries this spring and sent a long, detailed report to the COO [of the Fund?]. No response. And than was after $90 million had gone missing from the accounts in the Ukraine. Caveat Emptor!

This is what happens when so many of the top executives and staff workers have no real working experience in the affected countries, especially Africa.

Before this system gets out of hand (sadly, it already is), it would be good to rework the model from the bottom up. Start with the victims and local NGO's on the ground, build a private sector healthcare system that can handle the workload and local challenges, not run it by inexperienced bureaucrats in Geneva and foreign capitals.

Robert S. Stewart
Chairman and CEO
Interop AG
Winnipeg, Canada 
              1 204 255 8871       
Email: rss1@mts.net