The MSM Country Snapshots is a new publication series that disseminates strategic information on HIV and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Asia and the Pacific. The four- to five-page documents are intended to circulate good practices, share progress, stimulate discussion, and inform priority interventions and advocacy efforts.

The Snapshots were initiated in recognition of the difficulty of accessing up-to-date country-level information on MSM and HIV. Most importantly, they allow for convenient access to key findings for anyone without paid subscription to academic journals or knowledge of sources for biological and behavioral surveillance data. The documents synthesize key findings at time of publication that span four areas of information: epidemiological, behavioural, programmatic, and legal.

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Gender-based violence (GBV) is commonly thought of as an issue affecting primarily women and girls; however, stigma, discrimination and violence are also expressed toward men who have sex with men (MSM), male sex workers (MSW) and transgender (TG) individuals. While there is an increasing body of research among sexual minorities identifying the association between GBV and physical and mental health issues, including increased risk of contracting HIV, programs for these populations tend to focus on raising HIV awareness to reduce sexual risks. A better understanding of GBV among MSM/MSW/TG populations is necessary in order to develop clear and targeted recommendations for future interventions targeting this issue.

This report summarizes the findings of 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS) conducted under the authority of the National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and implemented by Mitra and Associates of Dhaka. ICF International provided financial and technical assistance for the survey through USAID/Bangladesh. The BDHS is part of the worldwide Demographic and Health Surveys program, which is designed to collect data on fertility, family planning, and maternal and child health.

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The Global Fund has approved over $22.9 billion in grants for HIV, TB and malaria programmes since 2002. Nearly 40% of the money has gone towards procurement, making the Global Fund a major player in the market for commodities. With such leverage, the Fund is always looking to influence prices.

Six countries and three regional programs are being invited as early applicants to participate in the full process of the new funding model, from submitting a concept note to creating a new grant. The countries – Zimbabwe, El Salvador, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kazakhstan and the Philippines – will be able to access a total of US$364 million in new funding in the transition period. They can also apply for additional funds that incentivize ambitious and high impact investments and co-financing. 

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The annual HIV Sentinel Sero‐surveillance survey, the systematic and regular collection of information on the occurrence, distribution and trends of HIV infection and factors associated with the infection, has been carried out since 1992. The survey has been conducted among 8 targeted sentinel groups: Pregnant Women attending the antenatal clinics (ANC), New Military Recruits, Blood Donors, newly diagnosed TB patients, People who inject drugs (PWID), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), Female Sex Workers (FSW) and Male patients attending sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic.

The Global Fund is changing its funding model. The new model will change the way the Global Fund assesses, approves, disburses, and monitors grants to increase successful applications, improve implementation, and ultimately achieve greater impact. The new model will increase engagement between applicants and the Global Fund and provide implementers with more flexibility, predictability, and clarity. 

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A transition to the new funding model is underway. Access to funding in the transition phase is by invitation, and special consideration will be given to countries in a position to achieve rapid impact, those at risk of service interruptions, and those currently receiving less than they would under the new funding model’s allocation principles. There is diversity across regions and diseases and types of applicants, so that elements of the new funding model can be tested and refined. 

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Principles of the new funding model

•Greater alignment with country schedules, context, and priorities 

•Focus on countries with the highest disease burden and lowest ability to pay, while keeping the portfolio global 

•Simplicity for both implementers and the Global Fund 

•Predictability of process and financing levels 

•Ability to elicit full expressions of demand and reward ambition

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The new model provides implementers with more flexible timing, better alignment with national strategies and greater predictability on the level of funding available. There is more active engagement with implementers and partners throughout grant application and implementation to ensure greater global impact. 

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