Council
31 October 2006
South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) today held a review workshop at
Gallagher Estate, Midrand. The workshop was the result of a decision by the
council in May this year to conduct an internal review to inform a
restructuring that would achieve a more efficient and effective council.
The workshop was preceded by consultation amongst council members and their
constituencies, to identify strengths and areas that required improvement. In
recent weeks there has been interaction with stakeholders around
recommendations by government emerging from these processes.
In opening the Workshop the Deputy President welcomed the extensive
representation of sectors present, reflecting the commitment of sectors to
taking this opportunity to strengthen SANAC as the embodiment of the national
partnership against AIDS.
The meeting received a report from the Department of Health consolidating
the views of SANAC stakeholders, to inform the discussion on how SANAC should
be constituted.
Following wide ranging discussion of the proposals, the recommendations were
adopted with a small number of issues being identified for further
clarification and discussion.
In outline it was agreed that SANAC should consist of a high level
multisectoral representative body constituted by the leadership of the
identified sectors, namely their presidents/chairpersons and two members.
This structure will be chaired by the Deputy President and meet at least
twice a year. It was agreed that a Deputy Chair from civil society would be
elected by the council.
To promote effective action SANAC would have five sectoral co-ordinating
committees led by key government departments within the sectors and including
all departments relevant to implementing action. Each sector will determine the
strategic partners that are key to their work.
A Programme Committee with two representatives from each of the council
constituencies will ensure co-ordination of action undertaken by sectoral
committees, in areas such as prevention, treatment, care, human rights,
children and so on. The Department of Health will be part of all the sectors
and programme committee and will advise them and provide technical support.
It was agreed that a smaller group from the Council would meet again in two
weeks time to finalise all issues so that an announcement of SANAC's way
forward can be made on World Aids Day, 1 December, at the national event in
Mpumalanga.
SANAC had also mandated the Department of Health in May this year to lead
the development of a new National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS and Sexual
Transmitted Infections (STIs) (2007 to 2011). The meeting received a report on
the outcome of recent Sector summits held to inform the development of the
Draft National Strategic Plan and a presentation of the draft plan.
The Council noted with appreciation the renewed spirit of partnership and
enthusiasm expressed in the discussion and the commitment of all the individual
sectors to contribute to uniting the nation in partnership against AIDS.
Enquiries:
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Issued by: The Presidency
31 October 2006
