Spain and Senegal Deepen Bilateral Health Cooperation Ahead of Global Fund Replenishment

A high-level delegation of Spanish parliamentarians has concluded a pivotal bilateral visit to Senegal, underscoring a deepening partnership in global health. The visit focused on reinforcing political collaboration, strengthening the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and HIV, and reaffirming shared commitments ahead of the 2025 Global Fund Replenishment Conference.

Hosted in Dakar and integrated into a national workshop on healthcare digitization, the mission highlighted the critical role of political leadership in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. The engagement was jointly organized by the Global TB Caucus, the Health Committee of the Senegalese National Assembly, and the Global Fund Secretariat, with support from key stakeholders including Salud por Derecho, Senegal’s National TB Program, civil society organizations, and affected communities.

Showcasing the Impact of Global Fund Replenishment

The Spanish delegation visited health facilities and community-based programs supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, witnessing firsthand the life-saving results of global donor investments. These visits provided a tangible demonstration of how Global Fund resources are transforming Senegal’s TB and HIV response, even as the country grapples with the impact of external funding cuts, notably from USAID.

“We have come to listen and to learn,” said MP Viviane Ogou i Corbi (Sumar). “Our aim is to understand the challenges Senegal faces, especially with the evolving geopolitical landscape. We want to know how Spain can be a stronger, more responsive partner moving forward.”

MP Sandra Pascual (Partido Popular) emphasized Spain’s commitment to understanding national priorities: “We are deeply interested in your strategies against TB, HIV, and malaria, and how health budget allocations are supporting this work. Your efforts are essential for global progress.”

Strengthening Political Leadership for Health

The engagement created a platform for peer learning and strategic dialogue between parliamentarians, health experts, civil society, and technical partners. The Chair of the Senegalese National Assembly’s Health Committee, Hon. Khady Sarr, stressed the urgency of addressing funding gaps that threaten continued access to essential TB services:

“Despite progress, our response to TB remains vulnerable to budgetary shortfalls. As parliamentarians, whether from Senegal or Spain, we have a duty to ensure sustained care for patients, stronger domestic health financing, and investment in diagnostics and prevention.”

This visit comes at a critical juncture, with global momentum building toward the Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment. Spain, as a key donor country, is expected to play a vital leadership role in securing the resources needed to end the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. The delegation’s time in Senegal helped consolidate political will and set the stage for future bilateral initiatives aimed at sustainable health financing and digital transformation in health systems.

Key outcomes of the visit included:

• Renewed commitment from Spanish MPs to advocate for increased contributions to the Global Fund.

• Deeper understanding of Senegal’s achievements and persistent challenges in combating TB and HIV.

• Foundations laid for future Spain–Senegal health cooperation, particularly in digital health and sustainable financing.

As the Global TB Caucus continues to unite parliamentarians across borders, this bilateral mission stands as a powerful example of the role political leaders can play in driving forward health equity. The partnership between Spain and Senegal reflects a broader commitment to ensuring every country, regardless of income level, can access the tools and resources needed to end TB once and for all.