WHO Bulletin addressing Global Fund and lack of conflict of interest
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) has recently included SABMiller, the world’s second largest brewer by sales volume, as a recipient for an education intervention which is aiming to minimize alcohol-related harm, such as HIV prevention, among men in drinking establishment.
Despite the well acknowledge public health implications from use of alcohol, the Global Fund does not recognize any "conflict of interest" in the situation regarding the grant to South Africa.
The article in the WHO Bulletin questions whether the target group and mechanisms are the best suited, and argues that this initiative allows the industry to fulfil social and legal obligations with no risk in lowering sales and profit. Furthermore, the funding to an industry, which could have afforded interventions without funding, also reduces the funds available for less well-resourced orgnisations, the article states.
Go to the WHO Bulletins webpage, or directly to the article to read more.