By Burnett Munthali
The Global Financing Facility (GFF) for Women, Children, and Adolescents has appointed Malawi’s Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, as the new co-chair of the GFF Investors Group (IG). Chiponda assumes the role previously held by Lia Tadesse of Ethiopia, marking a significant leadership transition in the organization’s efforts to mobilize and align resources for improving health outcomes among women, children, and adolescents.
In her new position, Chiponda will co-lead the IG, which serves as an advisory body to the GFF Trust Fund Committee and the GFF Secretariat. She will work alongside other leaders from government sectors, civil society, UN agencies, and private foundations to advance the GFF’s mission and strengthen global health partnerships. This platform of collaboration is central to the GFF’s objective to bring together diverse stakeholders in maternal, child, and adolescent health.
Chiponda expressed her enthusiasm for her appointment, emphasizing her commitment to the GFF’s mission and its collaborative approach. “The GFF’s mission to support the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents is crucial,” she said. “I look forward to working with our partners worldwide to make a meaningful impact and to ensure that resources are efficiently aligned with our shared goals.”
Under her leadership, Chiponda intends to enhance cooperation and innovative financing solutions that will help accelerate progress in healthcare outcomes. The GFF Investors Group plays a pivotal role in prioritizing investment in health systems, focusing on scalable, sustainable approaches that address some of the most pressing issues in maternal and child health across low- and middle-income countries.
The GFF was founded on the principle that no single organization can tackle health disparities alone. Through Chiponda’s co-chairmanship, the GFF Investors Group will continue to facilitate partnerships and align resources to tackle barriers in global health and improve outcomes for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
This appointment also highlights the growing recognition of Malawi’s role in global health leadership, with Chiponda set to bring her expertise to bear on advancing the GFF’s vision of equitable and comprehensive healthcare for women, children, and adolescents worldwide.
