An important goal of the South African HIV&AIDS National
Strategic Plan (NSP) is to provide treatment and care for 80% of
people affected by HIV and AIDS by 2011. Reliable and comprehensive
treatment data are essential to monitor progress towards this
goal.
For many years the private sector in South Africa has provided
treatment services for HIV and AIDS, but information recorded on
their services was not comprehensive.
Thus the SANAC, the South African Business Coalition (SABCOHA) and
several other partners decided to hold an inaugural private sector
HIV and AIDS M&E seminar.
In March 2009, 70 members of important stakeholder groups met
outside Johannesburg to discuss how they could meet the data
requirements of the NSP. The seminar was opened by Minister Hogan
who stressed the value of private-public partnerships in the fight
against HIV and AIDS. The SANAC Deputy Chair also addressed the
meeting, supporting the idea of a formal agreement that would
commit players to transparency and sharing data.
The participants reached several agreements including a methodology
for collecting and sharing data, and the establishment of a Private
Sector M&E Unit, reporting to SANAC.
In July 2009 the Unit's Steering Committee held its first meeting.
The purpose was to discuss its terms of reference, and steps
towards building a costed operational plan that will ensure
momentum and facilitate further donor funding.
Read the full seminar report [PDF 401
KB]
