Institutional Capacity Building of the CNCS

projekt beendet

ContextWorldwide Mozambique belongs to the 10 countries most affected by HIV. The number of new infections remains high: According to UNAIDS data, 110,000 people become infected with HIV on an annual basis. It is estimated that 1.4 million people in Mozambique live with HIV, which is equivalent to around 11.5 percent of the adult population. The high poverty rate increases the risk of infection. Simultaneously, the HIV epidemic in Mozambique contributes to poverty, for instance, due to deaths of family members, loss of employment and social isolation. Hence, the epidemic poses major challenges for the Government of Mozambique and its population.Many Mozambicans are unaware of their HIV status. The risk of infection is high for the entire population, but new HIV infections are especially common in specific population groups. These include young women, men who have sex with men, truck drivers, sex workers and their clients as well as migrant workers in agriculture and mining. The general population is also affected due to low condom use, traditional gender norms and multiple sexual partners. Risk of infection is particularly high among serodiscordant couples (in which only one of the partners is HIV-positive).Due to an advanced stage of HIV infection, around 550,000 Mozambicans receive antiretroviral treatment. The Ministry of Health expects to increase this number to 750,000 by end of 2015. However, many patients discontinue the life-saving treatment during the first year.GIZ is supporting the Government of Mozambique to develop effective responses to the HIV epidemic, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union.ObjectiveMozambican District Governments and Municipal Administrations plan and coordinate culturally appropriate HIV prevention measures for key populations most affected by HIV.ApproachThe National AIDS Council reports to the Prime Minister and is responsible for the coordination of countrywide HIV responses in all public and private institutions and civil society. The project is giving technical advice to the National and Regional AIDS Councils in seven provinces that are strongly affected by HIV. Support focuses on organisational development and capacity development in planning, monitoring and supervision of HIV control. This includes the revision of processes and instruments such as external quality control of activities carried out by NGOs.In order to build a network of HIV coordinators in the 42 districts and 14 municipal administrations, approaches that reflect the local socio-cultural context are being strengthened. Interventions consider the needs of target groups that are particularly at risk, such as young women, sex workers and truck drivers. Traditional norms are discussed using the tools of awareness raising, dialogue and participatory approaches, including theatre. To initiate sustainable change processes, religious and traditional authorities are involved which contribute to higher effectiveness of HIV responses in rural and urban communities. Measures such as condom programmes and banning early marriage are being promoted at local level. At the same time, the population is being encouraged to take voluntary HIV testing and, if necessary, adhere to antiretroviral treatment. The promotion of HIV prevention and treatment will eventually reduce the rate of new HIV infections.

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