5 December 2006
At least 24 bids have been received from agencies that are interested in a
multi-million tender to become service providers for the implementation of the
Government AIDS communication programme, Khomanani.
The tender was advertised in the Tender Bulletin with a closing date of
Friday, 1 December, for submission of proposals covering the period from 2006
to 2009 financial years. All bids will subjected to the appropriate selection
process and shortlisted bidders may be requested to present to the adjudicating
committee before the tender is awarded to winning bidders.
The winning service providers for the Khomanani tender will provide
communication support for the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for
Management, Care and Treatment of HIV and AIDS and the revised Strategic Plan
for HIV and AIDS for 2007-2011.
The brief for the tender has been expanded to cover all elements of the
Comprehensive Plan, including healthy lifestyle interventions.
The main objective of the Khomanani campaign is to ensure that the great
majority of South Africans who are currently not HIV positive remain HIV
negative. The campaign will therefore focus on raising awareness on the risk
factors in order to increase personal risk perception as a means towards
behaviour change. It also seeks to influence positive social norms and values
as well advocate for safe sexual practices.
The campaign will promote healthcare-seeking behaviour and link people to
appropriate services. It will mainstream the implementation of the five focus
areas of the Healthy Lifestyle Programme which are promotion of regular
physical activity, good nutrition and safe sexual behaviour, tobacco control
and interventions against alcohol and substance abuse.
The campaign will advocate and educate on good nutrition and empower People
Living with HIV and AIDS, their families and care givers on issues relating to
nutrition and food choices.
The campaign should improve understanding on how best to utilise the public
health system for accessing the continuum of care. It should popularise the
availability of treatment of opportunistic infections, including strategies for
management of tuberculosis (TB) in order to increase early utilisation of these
services.
It will educate the public about the role of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs)
including the fact that they are not a cure and should be used in a responsible
manner.
Contact:
Sibani Mngadi
082 772 0161
or
Charity Bhengu
083 679 7424
Issued by: Department of Health
5 December 2006
