April 18, 2024
KCNA Uriminzokkiri (En)

Letter to Executive Director of Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria 《Korea Ryugilo Editorial Bureau》

Date: 14/03/2018 | Source: Uriminzokkiri (En) | Read original version at source

Pyongyang, March 13 (KCNA) -- Kim Hyong Hun, vice-minister of Public Health of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a letter to Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, on Mar. 10, which said:
I have received a letter with a surprise from Mr. Mark Edington, Division Head of the Grant Management of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria dated 22 February 2018 informing that the Global Fund is closing its grants in the DPRK by 30 June 2018.
Although the Global Fund claims that the sudden closure of tuberculosis and malaria grants is due to the "unique operating environment" in the DPRK, it can't be seen other than the outcome of the pressure of some hostile forces.
This can be proved by the fact that the current closure of tuberculosis and malaria grants was decided without any prior discussion with UNICEF and WHO, both the Principal Recipient and the Sub-Recipient of TB & Malaria programs and moreover, it is timed with announcement of the "maximum pressure" imposed on the DPRK by the U.S.
We appreciate the assistance provided by the Global Fund for its substantial contribution to our efforts for eradicating TB and Malaria in the DPRK.
The DPRK Government, in concerted efforts with UNICEF and WHO, has been making progress in its endeavors to eradicate TB and Malaria. However, the Global Fund has notified the closing of the grants unilaterally, without any consideration of aftereffects of the closure which constitutes nothing but an extremely abnormal and inhumane measure.
In this connection, even the UN agencies, which are implementing TB and Malaria programs in the DPRK, have expressed their concern about possible increase of thousands of MDR TB patients every year among patients who have been treated by GF-provided TB medicines, which would eventually lead to a quick spread among children and other people. Hence they are of the view that the grants should never be closed on any account.
Therefore, I strongly urge that the Global Fund should consider carefully about the humanitarian impact that could be incurred from the closure of grants, assume due responsibility for it and take measures to put the issue on the right track in conformity with the humanitarian mission before it is too late. -0-
Copyright © 2003 - 2018
《Korea Ryugilo Editorial Bureau》

More From Uriminzokkiri (En)

Idea and Spirit of December Plenary Meeting Deeply Studied in DPRK

Idea and Spirit of December Plenary Meeting Deeply Studied in DPRK

City and county organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea are making an intensive study to deeply grasp the idea and spirit of

January 09, 2024

City and county organizations of the Workers' Party of Korea are making an intensive study to deeply grasp the idea and spirit of

Korean People Turn Out in General Advance of New Year

Korean People Turn Out in General Advance of New Year

The Korean people, who successfully passed the third year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic

January 09, 2024

The Korean people, who successfully passed the third year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic

KPA General Staff Issues Report

KPA General Staff Issues Report

The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Sunday: According to the ratification of the

January 08, 2024

The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Sunday: According to the ratification of the

Sincere Devotion

Sincere Devotion

There are many people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who regard love of and devotion to others as their duty.

January 07, 2024

There are many people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who regard love of and devotion to others as their duty.

KPA General Staff Issues Report

KPA General Staff Issues Report

Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Friday: On the

January 07, 2024

Pyongyang, January 5 (KCNA) -- The General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA) issued the following report on Friday: On the

Saussurea seoulensis Syringin

Saussurea seoulensis Syringin

Saussurea seoulensis syringin developed by the Kuryongsan Pharmaceutical Manufactory is winning growing favour among users as the

January 06, 2024

Saussurea seoulensis syringin developed by the Kuryongsan Pharmaceutical Manufactory is winning growing favour among users as the

“Girl Mother”

“Girl Mother”

Among those who took the floor at the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in May Juche 104 (2015)

January 06, 2024

Among those who took the floor at the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in May Juche 104 (2015)

Papers Call for Dynamic Advance toward Greater Victory

Papers Call for Dynamic Advance toward Greater Victory

Leading newspapers of the DPRK Thursday editorially call upon the officials and working people to successfully carry out the tasks

January 05, 2024

Leading newspapers of the DPRK Thursday editorially call upon the officials and working people to successfully carry out the tasks

Korean People Celebrate New Year 2024

Korean People Celebrate New Year 2024

All the people and service personnel of the Korean People’s Army greeted the New Year Juche 113 (2024) significantly. Visitors

January 03, 2024

All the people and service personnel of the Korean People’s Army greeted the New Year Juche 113 (2024) significantly. Visitors

Grand Art Performance in Celebration of New Year 2024

Grand Art Performance in Celebration of New Year 2024

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The grand art performance in celebration of the New Year 2024 is going on with splendor amid the

January 03, 2024

Pyongyang, January 2 (KCNA) -- The grand art performance in celebration of the New Year 2024 is going on with splendor amid the

Gala Evening of Youth and Students Celebrates New Year 2024

Gala Evening of Youth and Students Celebrates New Year 2024

A gala evening of youth and students took place at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang on December 31, 2023 on New

January 02, 2024

A gala evening of youth and students took place at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital city of Pyongyang on December 31, 2023 on New

National Flag-hoisting Ceremony and Fireworks Display Mark New Year

National Flag-hoisting Ceremony and Fireworks Display Mark New Year

A national flag-hoisting ceremony was solemnly held on January 1, Juche 113 (2024), at Kim Il Sung Square. At 00:00 sharp, a bell

January 02, 2024

A national flag-hoisting ceremony was solemnly held on January 1, Juche 113 (2024), at Kim Il Sung Square. At 00:00 sharp, a bell

To Train Reserve Singers

To Train Reserve Singers

The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang is a base for extracurricular

January 01, 2024

The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in Mangyongdae District in the capital city of Pyongyang is a base for extracurricular

More Articles