AEGiS-14IAC: Developing and implementing an HIV/AIDS plan at district level.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Developing and implementing an HIV/AIDS plan at district level.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. F11724)

Serenata CM, Pillay YP
Government, Pretoria, South Africa

ISSUES: Decentralising HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care interventions to district level to ensure effective implementation and involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION: Using the experience of two districts in South Africa, namely Paarl and Lydenburg, guidelines were provided for development and implementation of a district-based plan that includes prevention, treatment, and care. This experience highlights the fundamentals of the district-based approach and the basket of services that can be rendered at the district level, while describing the success of integrated planning between government (health, social development, public works), local government, NGOs, community leaders (including traditional healers) and faith-based organisations.

ISSUES: The experience in Paarl and Lydenburg illustrates the success of integrated, district-based planning, and also provide lessons on the challenges and gaps that still remain in district based HIV/AIDS planning and implementation. Lessons learned emphasise the importance of political support, health promotion, the use of PWAs, traditional healers, and traditional leaders; cooperation with strong local NGOs, and the strong need for monitoring and evaluation in the design and implementation of district HIV/AIDS plans,

RECOMMENDATIONS: Much progress can be made if a coherent programme of action is developed and implemented. The key ingredients of a successful district based HIV/AIDS strategy include: - Political leadership - Decentralisation of HIV/AIDS activities - Clearly defined roles of national and provincial health departments - Broad consultation and participation in the HIV/AIDS programme Using the experience gained in select South African districts, it is recommended that this approach be adopted by all district health services as a model for effective HIV/AIDS strategies and interventions.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Health Planning, HIV Seropositivity, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Promotion, Research, South AfricaKWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,healthplanning,hivseropositivity,healthservicesneedsanddemand,healthpromotion,research,southafrica

020707
F11724

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.