UNDP aids DATFs
By Pelekelo Liswaniso
WE COMMEND the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its decision to provide financial resources to the Ministry of Health for six months to facilitate operations of the District AIDS Task Forces (DATFs) around the country.
The move is commendable because the government is facing challenges to finance the health sector in view of the investigations at the ministry. The funds from the UNDP will, therefore, ameliorate the situation and assist sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The funds are most welcome particularly because the government is currently implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework (2006-2010), which led to the establishment of the National AIDS Council (NAC), the nine Provincial Task Forces and the 72 District AIDS Task Forces to support comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programmes.
DATFS normally receive funding per quarter from the Global Fund through the Ministry of Health for various AIDS sensitisation activities but this has not been possible since June 2009 because of the on-going negotiations between Government and the cooperating partners.
Support to the DATFs is crucial because they are responsible for mobilisation and coordination of the national response to HIV/AIDS at community level where its impact is most felt.
The human toll as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a tragic reality and the assurances by the UNDP resident coordinator Macleod Nyirongo that funding to the ministry will continue, therefore, gives us hope that help will continue to reach the districts where majority of the vulnerable rural communities live.
We are aware that despite the multiplicity of donors and of funds towards the HIV/AIDS fight, most of the programmes have not benefited the poor majority. But by decentralising the institutional response for HIV/AIDS programmes in rural communities, through the DATFs, the government has stimulated community-based initiatives in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.
It is with this background that we salute UNDP for the gesture to support the DATFs for the next six months because the funds will promote a national response at the district level.
DATFs are district-level associations of political, community and non-governmental organisation leaders that work in partnership to coordinate HIV/AIDS activities in the communities.
We urge other organisations to emulate UNDP to assist DATFs access funds and improve on their ability to develop strategic HIV/AIDS plans, driven by local concerns and priorities.
To show gratitude for this magnanimous gesture, the DATFs should also use the resources prudently to ensure continued support.
WE COMMEND the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its decision to provide financial resources to the Ministry of Health for six months to facilitate operations of the District AIDS Task Forces (DATFs) around the country.
This follows the delayed disbursement of money by the Global Fund pending on-going investigations into the alleged theft of public resources at the ministry.
The move is commendable because the government is facing challenges to finance the health sector in view of the investigations at the ministry. The funds from the UNDP will, therefore, ameliorate the situation and assist sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The funds are most welcome particularly because the government is currently implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework (2006-2010), which led to the establishment of the National AIDS Council (NAC), the nine Provincial Task Forces and the 72 District AIDS Task Forces to support comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programmes.
DATFS normally receive funding per quarter from the Global Fund through the Ministry of Health for various AIDS sensitisation activities but this has not been possible since June 2009 because of the on-going negotiations between Government and the cooperating partners.
Support to the DATFs is crucial because they are responsible for mobilisation and coordination of the national response to HIV/AIDS at community level where its impact is most felt.
The human toll as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a tragic reality and the assurances by the UNDP resident coordinator Macleod Nyirongo that funding to the ministry will continue, therefore, gives us hope that help will continue to reach the districts where majority of the vulnerable rural communities live.
We are aware that despite the multiplicity of donors and of funds towards the HIV/AIDS fight, most of the programmes have not benefited the poor majority. But by decentralising the institutional response for HIV/AIDS programmes in rural communities, through the DATFs, the government has stimulated community-based initiatives in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.
It is with this background that we salute UNDP for the gesture to support the DATFs for the next six months because the funds will promote a national response at the district level.
DATFs are district-level associations of political, community and non-governmental organisation leaders that work in partnership to coordinate HIV/AIDS activities in the communities.
We urge other organisations to emulate UNDP to assist DATFs access funds and improve on their ability to develop strategic HIV/AIDS plans, driven by local concerns and priorities.
To show gratitude for this magnanimous gesture, the DATFs should also use the resources prudently to ensure continued support.
posted by aydpels @ 9:02 AM
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