The executive advisor for health at Oil Search Foundation (OSF), Ingrid Glastonbury, has been appointed to represent the Western Pacific Region (WPR) on the Global Fund (GF) Board’s Strategy Committee.
Based on merit and experience, her selection provides an opportunity for Papua New Guinea to contribute to accelerating the end of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics in the world.
The Strategy Committee is one of three GF Board Committees. Its purpose is to provide oversight of GF strategic direction, and ensure optimal impact and performance of GF investments in health.
Ms Ingrid Glastonbury was pleased that the appointment positioned her to share PNG and WPR perspectives to address global health issues.
“I will bring with me the Committee lessons from PNG and the region that will help the development of GF approaches to prevent the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the world,” said Glastonbury.
Oil Search Foundation executive director, Stephanie Copus-Campbell, said as a PNG Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and development partner to the Government, she was proud that an OSF executive could participate at such a high level at GF and ensure PNG and the Pacific are recognised at a global level.
“Ms Glastonbury will represent the country and OSF with distinction given her wealth of knowledge and experience in the PNG health sector and global health as a whole. I congratulate her on her appointment,” Ms Copus-Campbell said.
GF is a global partnership of governments, private sector and civil society, pooling together resources to end the burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in countries throughout the world.
It raises and invests close to US$4 billion annually to support local experts in countries and communities most in need.
Country Coordination Mechanisms (CMM) are set up to govern GF investments in health in partnering countries. GF works closely with ministries and government agencies responsible for health matters through the CCM.
Lady Roselyn Morauta is currently the Chair of the PNG CCM and is also the newly elected alternate GF Board Member representing the WPR.
The Secretary for Health, Pascoe Kase, welcomed the representation by Lady Morauta and Ms Glastonbury.
“Partnership is key to strengthening our health services to the people. We are very pleased to have two strong voices for PNG at the global level,” he said.
(Ingrid Glastonbury, Executive Advisor for Health, Oil Search Foundation)