Provincial and District AIDS Task Forces
Provincial Structures
At the provincial level, the HIV/AIDS institutional framework consists of a Provincial AIDS Task Force, (PATF) which is a sub-committee of the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC). The role of the PATF is to coordinate, supervise and monitor the implementation of HIV/AIDS policies and programs in the province.
The functions of the PATF are to:
- Oversee district-level project implementation
- Provide technical support to the district through the PDCC
- Develop a capacity-building team
- Facilitate district interaction, information exchange, and promote inter-district learning
- Coordinate and monitor disbursements of human, financial and material resources to districts
- Interpret national policies and action plans
- Monitoring and evaluation.
District Structures
At the District level, the HIV/AIDS institutional framework at district level consists of the District AIDS Task Force (DATF), which is a sub-committee of the District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC). The role of the DATF is to coordinate, supervise and monitor the implementation of HIV/AIDS policies and programs in the district.
The functions of the DATF are:
- Interpreting national policies to guide the district response
- Developing district-level strategic action and implementation plans
- Documenting and maintaining a database of HIV/AIDS activities in the district
- Facilitation of training, resource mobilization, research activities, advocacy, information collection and dissemination.
- Monitoring and documenting activities in the district
- Compiling reports for submission to the DDCC
- Facilitating the formation of village/community AIDS task forces (CATF)
- Building capacity of community AIDS task forces
- Foster linkages between the CATF, DATF and PATF.
- Adapt IEC materials and guidelines to suit needs, language and geographical location (e.g. cross-border trading, fishing, and tourism).
- Resource mobilization (human, material and financial) to support technical interventions (e.g. VCT,PMTCT, HBC, ARVs and STI/TB treatment)
- Identifying and disseminating examples of best practices
- Promote basic and operational research
PATF/DATF Composition
The general composition of DATFs and PATFs is based on the factors that contribute to vulnerability and exposure to HIV/AIDS infection in the regions therefore is representative of all sectors:
- HIV/AIDS focal point persons from at least four line ministries (including security wing)
- At least one member from the group of people living with HIV/AIDS
- Local government representation
- At least four NGOs
- One female and one male youth representative
- Representation from Faith Based Organizations
- Representation from Traditional Healers
- Media representation
- Private Sector representation
- Legal representation where possible
- Representation from the Health Boards
Community/Village AIDS Task Forces
Sub-district level implementation of HIV/AIDS program coordination, supervision, monitoring and implementation can be undertaken by various structures, e.g. Neighborhood Health Committees (NHCs), area or resident development committees, and other Community Based Organizations. The allegiance of these CBOs is mainly to the different funding organizations however, coordinated at district level is through the DATFs.
|
