Statement by North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha during a media briefing on the re-establishment of Provincial Council on AIDS
Good day, ladies and gentlemen of the Media.
Following the disbandment of the North West Provincial Council on AIDS (PCA) in 2015/16 financial year, the North West Province was left without an entity that mobilises resources and strengthen the Civil Society HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) response and ensure that Civil Society Sectors are equal, meaningful and visible partners at all levels in the HIV, TB and STI response.
The PCA was established in terms of the PCA Act, Act 1 of 2001. It was established for the purpose of coordinating the multi-sectoral response to HIV, TB and STI in the Province. The council operated for a period of 15 years and has made significant inputs in the multi-sectoral response to the fight against HIV and AIDS in the Province. When the council was disbanded, the Act was repealed from Parliament and Administrative support absorbed into government departments as per guiding policies.
The South African National AIDS Council headed by the Deputy President, David Mabuza has directed the Province to re-establish the PCA. Premier Job Mokgoro has entrusted me with the responsibility of ensuring that the council is re-established and functional by the end of the year. I have called you here today to give you an update on the work that we have done thus far and our readiness to launch the Council.
I am pleased to announce that a lot of progress has been registered in this regard. We have managed to complete consultative roadshows with stakeholders in the four districts of the province. Stakeholders included organisations that are involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and TB. We are now preparing for the provincial stakeholder consultative forum.
The forum will be followed by a nomination process of candidates to serve as council members in councils at municipality level,district and province. The nomination process will be open to the public and we encourage people of the North West province to nominate men and women with calibre and passion to serve. Calls for nominations will be advertised in the media and social media in coming weeks for a wider reach.
Once re-established the PCA will provide leadership, co-ordination, support, political oversight and advocacy for the development, monitoring and evaluation of the NSP.
Amongst key responsibilities that the PCA will be entrusted with is the following:
- Coordination of the multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB
- Coordination of the National Strategic Plan/ Provincial Implementation Plan on HIV/AIDS, STI’s and TB
- Resource mobilisation and management for the National Strategic Plan/Provincial Implementation Plan
- Managing government allocated funds designated to PCA to fulfil its functions in terms of the multi-sectoral HIV and AIDS response
- Ensuring collection and analysis of periodic activity reports from various sectors in the provinces
- Ensuring preparation of annual situation analysis and progress reports
The local and district councils will act as an advisory structure for the executive committee on matters related to HIV, STIs and TB; oversee district level mobilisation of resources; and the development of plans and advocate for the implementation plans in line with the Provincial Implementation Plan.
Working together with all stakeholders, we can achieve an HIV free generation.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
