Support for implementation of the multisectoral HIV/AIDS strategy
Project description
Title: Support for implementation of the multisectoral HIV/AIDS strategy
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Madagascar
Lead executing agency: Executive Secretariat of the National AIDS Council
Overall term: 2004 to 2012
Context
With 0.3 per cent of its population infected by HIV (2007), Madagascar is one of the African countries least affected by AIDS. However, the AIDS rate has increased sevenfold since 1999. The population’s poverty facilitates its spread due to inadequate or non-existent sex education and the resulting lack of access to effective protection against HIV. A lack of future prospects, particularly among young people, leads to a greater willingness to take risks and to a greater risk of infection, for example through prostitution.
Since 1988, fighting HIV/AIDS has been a focus of the Madagascan government’s domestic policy. However, there is a lack of conceptual and technical competence and efficiency for nation-wide implementation.
Objective
The HIV infection rate has stabilised in high-risk areas and among the target groups particularly at risk, such as young people, sex workers and their customers and migrant workers.
Approach
On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ provides advice on drawing up, managing and implementing national priorities in fighting AIDS. GIZ is working in Boeny and Analamanga for the benefit of people at high risk, such as sex workers and young people on the fringes of society who have sexually-transmitted diseases in high-risk municipalities and districts.
Local experience is included in national policy consulting.
In order to reach the different target groups, various institutions have been recruited to communicate measures to fight HIV among different target groups. These institutions include public service, non-governmental organisations, enterprises and other development cooperation projects and their staff. Since the spread of HIV is low but the risk factor is high, the focus is on broad prevention strategies. In addition to sex education, it comprises services such as the provision of condoms, HIV tests and consultancy services as well as the treatment of sexually-transmitted diseases, AIDS-related infections and AIDS. The services offered also include the vocational reintegration and training of at-risk groups and HIV-infected young people.
Results achieved so far
The HIV infection rate among the population as a whole and selected target groups has been kept under one per cent.
New instruments have been developed in order to monitor and evaluate prevention and treatment measures and to map high-risk areas.
Civil society organisations are using the technical and logistic assistance for improved psychological care for people with HIV/AIDS. These organisations have helped reduce discrimination against those with HIV/AIDS and supported them in reintegrating into society.
More than forty large private companies have developed their own plans for fighting HIV/AIDS, which they are now implementing. Their employees act more responsibly, and high-risk practices are on the decline.
Particularly high-risk municipalities are implementing their plans to combat HIV/AIDS. Newly-infected people can be more reliably identified.
More than 600 people from high-risk groups have received support for vocational reintegration.
Particularly high-risk municipalities are implementing their plans to combat HIV/AIDS. Newly-infected people can be more reliably identified.
More than 600 people from high-risk groups have received support for vocational reintegration.