15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10454)

Nhathivong KV
Norwegian Church Aid, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic

ISSUE: Savannakhet province is moving ahead with implementation of local HIV/AIDS responses with a support from communities. Since the creation of Provincial Committee for Control of AIDS (PCCA) the organization has gained an authority in mobilizing the HIV/AIDS activities throughout the province. Before the initiative began, AIDS issue was only the responsibility of the health sector alone.

DESCRIPTION: While the operational activities of the initiative are similar to those found in many local responses to HIV/AIDS around the world, in Savannakhet it is the process by which the initiative was conceived, planned and implemented that may provide the useful lessons learned. In 1989 the first workshop was held to create the consensus among partners in respond to HIV/AIDS concerns. It was followed by the creation of PCCA and its Secretariat in 1993. To strengthen PCCA and to improve overall mechanism, it was decided in 1998 to reorganized its Secretariat to include multi-sector in its body. It include: Lao Youth Union Lao Women Union Lao Trade Union Information and culture Office Tourism Office Buddhism religions The use of multi-sector for implementation of an extended responses to HIV/AIDS is a concrete example for other 17 provinces of what can be done.

LESSONS LEARNED: Preliminary review of the initiative reveals several indicators of impact. The considerable enthusiasm and awareness have been generated among health authorities, multi-sector, government authorities as well as the local population for more effective responses to AIDS. Recommendation: The establishment of an official body is of cardinal importance to take responsibility for consensus building and for coordinating and planning the local responses at the provincial and district level.

040711
E10454

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