The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has resumed funding to Zambia with an announcement that it will release $100 million for various health programs in the southern African nation.

The Global Fund, together with other donors, suspended funding to Zambia's health programs in 2009 due to revelation of misappropriation of funds meant for health programs by public workers at the Ministry of Health.

Minister of Health Dr Joseph Kasonde said at a press briefing on Wednesday that the government has secured the funds under Round 8 Phase 2 which will run for three years with effect from July 2012.

"After dry spells of funding from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, owing to concerns on management of some HIV/AIDS programs, Zambia has successfully secured $100 million from the Fund under Round 8 Phase 2," the Zambian Minister said.

The funds will be disbursed through three recipients namely the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Zambia National AIDS Network (ZNAN) and the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), he added.

"Zambia is indebted to the Global Fund for restoring the support to the national HIV response which will see majority of beneficiaries receiving different services, particularly those in rural communities," he added.

The government, he said, will ensure that the funds are utilized for intended purposes following the establishment of systems to ensure transparency and accountability in the application of the resources.

The Global Fund becomes the second donor to resume funding to Zambia's Ministry of Health following prudent financial management systems put in place after funds were suspended. Last week, Sweden became the first donor to resume funding for health programs.

The Global Fund was established in 2002 as a unique public- private partnership and international financing institution dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Zambia has been a partner of the Global Fund since 2003 and to date has had an approved budget of 951 million dollars with $475 million disbursed to the country to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.