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NAS validates HIV/AIDS resource mobilisation strategy

Oct 24, 2016, 9:27 AM | Article By: Abdoulie Nyockeh

The National Aids Secretariat in collaboration with the UNAIDS recently validated the national HIV and AIDS resource mobilisation strategy.

The Gambia National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS has been developed to guide the implementation of the national HIV and AIDS response. 

The validation workshop held at NaNA conference hall on Thursday brought together representatives from the health sector, NGOs and UN system in The Gambia.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Omar Sey, Omar Njie, said there is need for high level advocacy by NAS and its partners to enhance the implementation of the HIV and AIDS Act.

He said more need to be done to improve the capacity of frontline healthcare providers, and enhance the provision of prevention, testing, treatment, and care services for people living with HIV using rights-based approaches.

Mr Njie said security forces and officials of the African Commission on Human and People Rights and other human rights organisations should be sensitised on the human rights dimensions of HIV and malaria, and on how to protect the rights of key populations and other marginalised groups.

The director of NAS, Omar Badjie, said the secretariat has been “relying heavily” on donor funding but is now realised that reliance on donor funding is no longer sustainable.

“This is why we worked with our development partners to develop a resource mobilisation strategy,” he said.

UNAIDS Country Director Sierra Ndow said funds are needed to step up efforts in certain interventions areas such as mass sensitisation and strengthening community HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights responses.