The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat (Commission)-Eastern Region with funding from Global Fund-Sierra Leone has ended a training session of District and Chiefdom AIDS Committees on mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into local councils.
The training was attended by NAS Director Dr. Brima Kargbo and the Eastern Region NAS Coordinator Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay.
Dr. Kargbo informed the participants about the first HIV Act passed in 2007, stating that the Act focused on addressing the issues of stigmatization and discrimination. He said that three years into the implementation of the Act, several weaknesses were discovered in the area of coordination, planning, resource mobilization and monitoring roles of the NAS.
He lamented on the silent and inactive roles of the Local Councils in spite of the existence of the DAGs within the councils.
The Regional Coordinator maintained that these weaknesses have given justification for the review of the 2007 Act and its subsequent replacement with the 2011 Act.
He disclosed to the gathering that the 2011 National AIDS Commission Act which will transform the Secretariat into a Commission was signed by the President on 14th September and Gazetted on 3rd November 2011.
He says through the DACs the Act has ensured direct HIV/AIDS initiatives in communities by ensuring the inclusion of HIV/AIDS programmes in their respective development plans.
Sisay disclosed that the objectives of the training are to discuss the National HIV/AIDS frameworks e.g. 2011-2015 NSP and M&E; provide skills on mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into strategic documents and agreeing on key milestones for enhancing district responses to HIV/AIDS etc.
The Paramount Chief of Kandu Leppiama Chiefdom in Kenema District, Madam Teresa Vibbi, who is also the chairperson for the Health Committee of the Kenema District Council and member of DAC and a host of the district health management team made meaningful contributions.
By Saffa Moriba
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