Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
REFLECTIONS AND INTROSPECTIONS OF OUTGOING DIRECTOR: HIV/AIDS & STDs - MS ROSE SMART
Pretoria - As I approach the end of my tenure as Director of National AIDS Programme, it is appropriate to reflect on the past two years and on the goals which I set for myself and for the Programme.
In a media statement following my appointment in December 1996 I described a visior for 1997 and it seems fitting to begin my retrospection with a review of that visior. I saw the year ahead as a year of unprecedented growth, expansion and acceleration, based on participation and consultation and the building and strengthening of partnerships. A year heralding a new human rights culture and unequivocally exposing discrimination and abuse.
The reality has bee a mixture of significant and not so significant successes as well as some failures. I choose to believe the comments of friends, colleagues and critics who acknowledge what we have achieved rather than the anonymous official who, in Andy Duffy's article in the Mail & Guardian of July 1998,s stated that the past two years have been incredibly bland Anonymous official, let me describe for you the highlights of the past two years.
The National Review of South Africa's response to the AIDS epidemic in mid 1997, must be counted as one of the most significant highlights. It brought together representatives from across the spectrum of AIDS organisations and in describing the strengths and weaknesses of the response, provided an invaluable base-line for future planning as well as a powerful advocacy platform.
The emergence of the Inter-departmental Committee with its committed membership has resulted in strong, vibrant HIV/AIDS programmes in many National Government Departments and is only rivalled by the fledgling Civil Military Alliance which represents a unique partnership to address AIDS in situations of extreme risk.
Another breakthrough which is worthy of congratulation is the trade union initiative which has been embraced by all major unions. The conviction and dedication with which the representatives who have completed our training have taken on this significant additional responsibility is worthy of the highest praise.
The traditional healer consultants performed miracles with their counterparts from all major organisations and in all provinces. Their partnership with the National AIDS Programme, and their position as a crucial component of the continuum of care, must now be consolidated and expanded.
Our programmes for groups at increased risk have been focussed and, I believe relevant. I inherited a strong STD programme which more recently has embarked on addressing STD management in the private sector. The life skills programme in secondary schools is finally reaching maturity, despite a sometimes stormy adolescence.
Projects with which the National Office is privileged to be associated include the Lesedi Project in the Free State which provides vital services to women at high risk ant the South Coast Hospice Outreach Project in KwaZulu-Natal which cares for infected and affected clients in their communities.
The fact that people both within and outside of the AIDS Programme speak of beyond awareness and know about the AIDS Help Line are tributes to the "Beyond Awareness II" campaign. Under the able guidance of the National Communication Forum. "Beyond Awareness II" is already well underway.
Traditionally the National AIDS Programme has had huge responsibilities in respect of NGO funding and condom procurement. It is with a real sense of pride that we can speak of the systems which have been developed and refined, systems which provided for accountability and optimal resource utilisation.
Internally, the past two years have seen the restructuring of the Directorate, with the Sub-directorates assuming management of their respective portfolios. Externally, the stronger relationships which were born during the Review have with only one of two exceptions, flourished. This has resulted in broader ownership of the Programme, evidenced, for example, by such events as noisy ATIC training workshops on the 17th floor of Hallmark Building.
Let us not forget that, at the heart of all our work are people who confront this epidemic from a very personal perspective. The FACE, who taught us so much, and who, each in their own way, left a legacy which will survive long after all our other achievements have been forgotten. In a small way, we were also able to support the establishment of the Women Alive National Network, a critical mass of courageous women who, against all odds and often at substantial risk to themselves and their families, turned their individual silences into a chorus of conviction.
I am cognisant of the difficult gap which must be reached between policy and implementation. The care policies which are currently being finalised have to be give effect if they are to translate into improvements in the quality of life of and care for people with symptomatic HIV disease. It is possible - The success of the HIV/TB initiative is apparent in the now-frequent reference to the two in policies, planning and projects.
Yes, there have been failures, particularly if judged against original goals. The lay counsellor project had as its goal the appointment of 270 persons for two years, 30 in each province. This did not materialise in most instance and there is little evidence that counselling is more accessible than it was two years ago. There is however evidence that significant strides have been made in establishing counselling as a valuable intervention with the setting of minimum standards for training and mentoring.
The guilt hanging on the wall at the Ethembeni Children's Home marking the all too short lives of the many babies who have died of AIDS is a powerful reminder that reducing mother to child transmission must remain on the Departments agenda.
And what of the new Government AIDS Action Plan, with its ambitious public awareness campaign? It was a recommendation from the Review, which within a few short months has almost eclipsed our other activities. So, whilst I share the concerns expressed about how to sustain that valuable momentum which has been generated, this must be marked as a genuine " turning point" in our response. If I could have one wish it would be that twelve months from now, we could look back on the Partnership Against AIDS and celebrate its coming of age.
In conclusion, I humbly record my deepest appreciation to the staff who have unfailingly risen to every occasion. I constantly marvel at their tenacity and dedication. We share more laughs than tears. We did our best. Salani Kahle - you will forever people my memories of the past two years. To my successor, I wish you wisdom, strength and perseverance - good luck.