Assembly/AU/4(XI) Page 7 OVERVIEW ON PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMITMENTS ON HIV/AIDS, TB AND MALARIA (Disease Specific Reports are each presented separately) Implementation of the outcomes of the Abuja Special Summit on ATM was in the framework of ongoing national programmes for disease control in general and HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in particular. In recent years, bilateral and multilateral organizations have increased their support to national and regional programmes for the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria as well as health and development in general. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria currently provides significant funding for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria programmes, in supplementation to national efforts and other international support. Building from the opportunities available for action, the following achievements were recorded, among others: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) Sustained political commitment and leadership at highest level Increased availability of financial resources, both from national and international sources Effective combination therapies are available for the three diseases Procurement or local production of affordable generics and commodities is improving and promoting access to services Progress has been made in coordination and harmonization of partnerships at national, regional and international levels The roles of Civil Society and Private Sector more evident Many Member States have recorded reduced or stable prevalence rates, of especially HIV and Malaria. Implementation has been hampered by the following, among other challenges and gaps: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) Weak Health systems including shortage of human resources Funding remains mainly external and can be unpredictable Resistance to mono-therapies or first line affordable medicines Challenges related to supply and distribution of medicines and commodities especially in rural settings Limited inter-country or regional cooperation Research, Monitoring and Evaluation are some of the areas to be addressed urgently Sharing of information is inadequate and sometimes information has to be solicited. Monthly reporting of notifiable diseases is not done regularly as required. This can result in old records being utilized, for future reporting.