Sudan’s Ministry of Health on Monday approved a national plan worth over $139 million to combat malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV over the next three years.

The approval came during a meeting held at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) headquarters in Red Sea State. Sudan faces severe health challenges and outbreaks of infectious diseases, exacerbated by a deteriorating healthcare system and a shortage of medical services.

Sudan records the highest rate of malaria infections in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

“Sudan approved a comprehensive national proposal to combat the three diseases—malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV—valued at $139,298,699,” the health ministry said in a statement.

Federal Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim said after the meeting that combating malaria is a top priority within the national plan. He noted that the proposal was drafted with broad participation from civil society, the National Medical Supplies Fund, UN agencies, and Sudanese experts.