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THE ZAMBIAN CASE

HIV/AIDS AND POVERTY "BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE". THE ZAMBIAN CASE. Dr. Simon K. Miti PERMANENT SECRETARY-MINISTRY OF HEALTH. INTRODUCTION.

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THE ZAMBIAN CASE

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  1. HIV/AIDS AND POVERTY "BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE" THEZAMBIAN CASE Dr. Simon K. Miti PERMANENT SECRETARY-MINISTRY OF HEALTH

  2. INTRODUCTION • The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have for the past two decades continued to spread across all continents killing millions of adults in their prime, disrupting and impoverishing families, turning millions of children into orphans, weakening the workforce and threatening the social and economic fabric of the communities. • Furthermore households affected by HIV/AIDS are often driven into deeper poverty [Zambia: Poverty and Vulnerability Assessment, chapter 7, World Bank, June 2005].

  3. NATIONAL CONTEXT • The population of Zambia now stands at 10.3million people with an annual growth rate of 2.9 percent (CSO 2000) with the HIV prevalence rate of about 16%. • The GDP has been decreasing since independence and life expectance, knowledge and decent standard of living have remarkably declined. • The Government in the last decades implemented macro-economic stabilization and adjustment programmes resulting in about 78% of Zambians living in poverty, consuming the equivalent of USD$1 a day.

  4. HIV Prevalence rate=16% Ages 15 to 49 - 2002 Male 13%, Female 18% Urban 25% Rural 13% Northern 8% Luapula 11% 20% North-Western Eastern Copperbelt 9% 14% Central 15% Western Lusaka 22% 13% Southern 18%

  5. POVERTY AND HIV/AIDS • The inter-relationship between HIV/AIDS and poverty is complex. • HIV/AIDS precipitates families into poverty and even into destitution. • HIV/AIDS lead to poverty by eliminating the productive sector of society, 15-49 year age group. • Poverty have negative impacts at all levels of society namely Individual, household (homeless children, children at risk, single parent/child headed ), community and National

  6. Levels of Causation Unprotected sex With an HIV infected Individual Increases Risk of HIV infection HIV positive Frequency and number of partners Level 3 Reproductive Purposes Sex as a Commodity For exchange Sex for ritual purposes Forced Sex Rape & abuse Pleasure Experimentation Level 2 Poverty, Social cultural, Economic, Legal Level 1 Economic Governance, Political Governance,

  7. HI/AIDS IMPACT ECONOMIC SECTOR (INDUSTRY, AGRIC, TOURISM) COMMUNITY LEVEL INDIVIDUAL & HOUSEHOLD SOCIAL SERVICES (EDUCATION/ HEALTH) LESS EDN & INFORM. NO BREAD WINNER HIGH MEDICAL COSTS MEDICAL CARE - DOUBLE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS ABSENTEEISM, STAFF TURNOVER LOSS OF SKILLS REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED COSTS DECLINING PROFITS POVERTY

  8. IMPACTS OF HIV/AIDS • Some of the social and economic reversals due to HIV/AIDS epidemic includes: • Decimating the active age group required for economic growth in the country and this leads to loss of productivity in all sectors. • Reduced life expectancy now at 37 years from 60 years at birth projected without HIV/AIDS. • Increased number of orphans. • High burden of disease which has overwhelmed the Health Care delivery system . • HIV/AIDS have pervasive impact on virtually all aspect of development and society in Zambia.

  9. Unique Poverty Manifestation • Health Workers and other strike actions - Too few to cope with increased demand (current staff levels <50%) - Poor conditions of service BUT overworked - Peer pressure from colleagues who have emigrated through poaching • Extended families failing to cope in caring for OVCs hence pre-disposing them to being street children, defiled and abused

  10. NATIONAL RESPONSE IN THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK/PLAN VISION: A nation free of threats of HIV/AIDS STRATEGY: Multi-sectoral Approach GOALS: • PREVENT/REDUCE TRANSMISSION • REDUCTION OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY • MITIGATE THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC

  11. The Cyle of Governance in Multisectoral HIV and AIDS Service Delivery at the Local Level MoLG MoH NAC CIVIL SOCIETY Employ and Hold Staff Accountable Council Staff Elected Councillors Provincial Administration PDCC PATF (PACA) Elect and Hold Representatives Accountable. To provide among other things. District Administration DDCC People in theDistrict Infected or Affected HIV and AIDS Related Services DATF (DACA) Which are Delivered to.. CATF CIVIL SOCIETY CIVIL SOCIETY

  12. NATIONAL RESPONSE TO REDUCE POVERTY • Government identified Tourism, mining, industry and agriculture as target areas for economic growth. However gender issues and concerns in these sectors have not been articulated. • Government has put in place the following programs administered through various ministries:

  13. NATIONAL RESPONSE • Public welfare assistance schemes. • Peri-Urban Self Help (PUSH) programs. • Program Against Malnutrition (PAM). • Community based organization grants for income generating activities (targeted mainly on women). • Subsidy on agricultural inputs (special focus on the vulnerable groups). • Expansion of micro-credit scheme supported by GTZ/UNPD focusing on poor women for sustainable livelihoods.

  14. NATIONAL RESPONSE • Establishment of National HIV/AIDS/TB/STI Council in 2002 to strengthen Multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS and needs of those living in poverty who are affected by the multiple impacts of the epidemic. • A rapid scaling–up of PMTCT programmes to all pregnant women who are HIV positive, and this entails increased access to VCT and ART services. (follow-up to the declaration of commitment to HIV/AIDS- UNGASS ).

  15. NATIONAL RESPONSE • Integration of OVCs and street kids into Zambia National Service camps for rehabilitation and empowerment of lifelong skills and trades. • Scale –up of Community schools for the vulnerable children.

  16. CONCLUSION • The Zambian Government has taken HIV/AIDS and Poverty issues very seriously as it relates to the Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper which was the cornerstone for Zambia reaching HIPC completion point. • The impact HIV/AIDS has on social, economic and political Governance in any country Zambia inclusive cannot be ignored.

  17. CONCLUSION • No social, economic and political independence can be achieved if the vicious cycle of HIV/AIDS is not addressed and therefore calls for the stakeholders to take the pandemic extremely serious in particular vulnerable groups such as women and children. • Unless there is comprehensive investment to reduce poverty the HIV-Poverty vicious cycle will continue THANK YOU.

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