New Vision (Kampala) - November 13, 2003
Tajudeen

THERE is so much publicity about HIV/AIDS that many people think that they know all that there is to know. If this is true, then the rate of infection should be going down but instead it is going up in many parts of the world especially Africa which is already devastated by the scourge.

The figures being bandied around are not just frightening, if they come close, as being 50% true then HIV/AIDS would achieve a successful genocide against Africa. What slavery and colonialism could not achieve in terms of wiping out the peoples of Africa could easily be secured if the exponential infection rates across the continent continue. On the present scale, it may not be apocalyptic to suggest that certain countries will simply evaporate, cease to exist not because of war and armed conflict but the AIDS devastation claiming the younger generation, most of the labour force turning the countries into a graveyard for exhausted old people and children orphaned by AIDS.

There is certain defensiveness by us when it comes to these figures. Too many of us are still engaged in statistical gymnastics, arguing that it is exaggerated. There are even those who will deny outright that AIDS is a big problem at all. They point at the fact that malaria and other diseases claim more lives in Africa than death due to AIDS. For me, all these arguments are as interesting as suggesting that 'the bottle is half-empty or the bottle is half-full'. The brutal truth is that AIDS is claiming millions of lives of our people and it is affecting all our lives and will change the socio-economic and political structure of our societies.

The common mistake about HIV/AIDS even in countries like Uganda where there is more enlightened political leadership on these issues, public openness, general awareness and relative success in arresting the upward mobility of the disease is to treat it as a health and related care and welfare issue. While the treatment, care and general welfare of the victims are important, the campaign cannot stop there. The impact of HIV/AIDS is manifest in every face of our existence and it is therefore important to mainstream it (as gender activists succeeded for gender issues) if we are to deal with it comprehensively.

Take for example the impact on the national defence and security establishment of a country whose officer corps and other ranks have a high level of HIV infection. Is that an army or a moving coffin show? Some of the corruption in the army of some countries are partly the direct result of lack of proper medical facilities to treat infected people.

Furthermore, there is the fear that when they die there will be no statutory provisions to look after their offspring, widows and other dependents. Consequently, they help themselves to whatever resources available for diversion to their immediate needs for treatment and security against future eventualities. One is not excusing corrupt practices but the example merely illustrates how lack of clear policy framework and implementable provision to meet the needs of all concerned can serve as fertile ground for all kinds of subversion of the public good.

Take another example of a parliament in one of the AU member states where the infection rate is put at between 20 and 30 %.

This may mean that between 10-15 % of the parliamentarians may die in the course of a 4-5-year term. Imagine the cost of bye-elections, the impact on administration and governance of being forced to re elect representatives in such rapidity. Or think of another country where some statistics show that 25-35 % of teachers are either HIV positive or living with AIDS. With all the will and resources in the world it is not possible to replace 40% of teachers in a short time. The calamity calls for a fundamental rethinking of the whole structure of schools and educational governance in the country. How do you sustain a high level of access and quality of education in the face of these huge gaps in the pool of teachers available?

These examples suggest the need for a comprehensive response to the challenges posed by the AIDS pandemic.

The search for such comprehensive perspective to provide effective governance intervention(s) was behind a Justice Africa project on Governance and HIV/AIDS in Africa about two years ago. So original was the idea that it did not take long before it got positive response from Dr K. Y. Amoako, executive secretary of the ECA who decided to house the project. With the support of the UN secretary-general, it has since become the Commission on HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa, which was recently inaugurated in Addis.

But our believe that HIV/AIDS affect everybody and everything means that it cannot be left to the UN and governments alone necessitated the convening of an African Civil Society Governance and AIDS Initiative (GAIN) to shadow the CHGA and also other initiatives on HIV/AIDS.

This group met in Johannesburg early in October to agree the aims and objectives and programme of research and advocacy and policy engagement that will sensitise the continent to the impact of HIV/AIDS and also mobilise the movement necessary to stem the scourge.

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