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HIV/Aids IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY Ayanda Nabe SALGA: Gender Analyst E-mail: anbe@salga.org.za PH: 012-338 6700/38 Fax: 012-338 6747. WHY SHOULD LOCAL GOVERNMENT BE INVOLVED IN HIV/AIDS?. Local Government is the closest to the people It is responsive to community needs and realities
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HIV/Aids IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY Ayanda Nabe SALGA: Gender Analyst E-mail: anbe@salga.org.za PH: 012-338 6700/38 Fax: 012-338 6747
WHY SHOULD LOCAL GOVERNMENT BE INVOLVED IN HIV/AIDS? • Local Government is the closest to the people • It is responsive to community needs and realities • HIV/Aids impacts on the economy and may drive investors away • The health hazard caused by the pandemic which results absenteeism and death impacts on the service delivery of local government • HIV/Aids poses a great challenge to a strong political and administrative leadership
THE ALLIANCE OF MAYORS’ INITIATIVE FOR COMMUNITY ACTION ON AIDS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL [AMICAALL] • Formed in 1998 and launched in South Africa in 2000 • Goal: promote actions that contribute to limiting the spread of HIV and alleviating its social and economic impact on communicities in Africa. • It promotes an expanded multi-sectoral response to the epidemic at the local level • The programme activities contribute to the creation of an enabling environment in which fear, denial and stigma can be overcome
AMICAALL PROGRAMME IN SOUTH AFRICA • Pilot municipalities selected [Southern District Municipality- North West, Magalekwena – Limpompo, Nkomazi – Mpumalanga] • Common Problems: • HIV/Aids has a small budget allocation • Little support given to the coordinators • No multi-sectoral approach to the pandemic – operating in silos • Programmes implemented are not always sustainable
PROGRESS TO DATE • Department of Health has been working with municipalities in reviving the LACs • Other sectors (e.g. business and NGOs) have been approached, to join forces against the pandemic • AMICAAL and SALGA mobilising resources to strengthen the work of municipalities • A workshop will be held on the 13-14 November 2003 in to develop a strategy for HIV/Aids in local government
HIV/AIDS IN THE WORKPLACE • Local government is hard hit by the absenteeism of employees at the workplace – this impacts on service delivery • The loss of skilled labour is proving to be very costly (new staff has to be employed and trained) • The fear of infection and death may result in low staff morale
ACTION PLAN IN THE WORKPLACE • Education and Prevention • Wellness Strategy (VCT) • Support to Infected and Affected (Setting up a fund) • Forming Strategic Partnerships • Medical Aid Scheme Benefits
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES • Capacitating municipal clinics to cope with the VCT • Capacitate clinics to deal with the opportunistic infection and women’s health • Influence the necessary process to ensure that HIV/Aids is mainstreamed in the IDPs