Service Contract No 2007 / 147-446 Strategic ... - Swaziland

National labour laws on HIV/AIDS in the workplace have also been passed, and include (seeAnnex 4 for a more detailed description): The Constitution Act No.1/2005; IndustrialRelations Act 2000; Code of Good Practice: HIV/AIDS in Employment; The Employment Act1980; The Employment Bill 2007; Occupational Health and Safety Act 2001; and theWorkmen's Compensation Act 1983.Various bodies have been involved in the implementation of HIV/AIDS policy, as describedbelow.5.5.1.1 Government BodiesThe MoH is directly responsible for the welfare status of the people of Swaziland “byproviding preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative services that are relevant,accessible, affordable, equitable and socially acceptable” 39 . Approximately 80% of themultisectoral response to HIV/AIDS falls within the health sector, the MoH. The Directorate ofHealth Services is responsible for public health and curative services, and National PublicHealth programmes include HIV/AIDS through SNAP. SNAP works in ten areas, each with itsown guidelines and policies: Management; Psychology; Prevention; CondomEducation/Distribution; Quality Assurance; Circumcision; STIs; HBC; VCT; and Antiretroviral(ARV) Therapy.Although completed, of interest is an agreement between the European Commission (EC)and the Government of Swaziland on a 3-year HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care (HAPAC)Programme in 2002-2005. This was made in response to the increasing HIV/AIDS crisis inSwaziland, “to reduce the spread of HIV and alleviate the impact of AIDS”. Implemented by aProgramme Management Unit (PMU) based at the MoH, HAPAC aimed to address threemajor problems identified by the government as priorities for action (Kingdom of Swazilandand European Commission, 2005a, 2005b):(1) Limited access to HIV VCT services. The expected outcome of strengthening VCTservices was for an increased number of people to have easy access to quality VCTservices, to be aware of their existence, and to use the services. This would lead tobehaviour change, thereby reducing HIV transmission, and enhancing access to careand support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Activities included: theestablishment and operation of VCT units in Hospitals and Health Centres; the creationof a network of VCT facilities, and a nation-wide awareness campaign to sensitise highriskpopulations for the use of the network; and capacity building of VCT programmemanagers.(2) Lack of resources for HBC for those with AIDS. The expected outcomes ofstrengthening HBC was for an increased number of people living with AIDS to receivecare and support at their homes by family, community and professional caregivers, andreducing the stigma and discrimination surrounding people with AIDS, leading to abetter quality of life of the AIDS patients and their relatives. Activities included: thecreation and operation of a comprehensive HBC programme; the creation of a centralHBC unit at a Hospital, with outreach capacity; the identification and strengthening ofHBC activities by NGOs; and a baseline community survey measuring the extent ofHBC on a regional basis.(3) High rates of STIs, increasing the risk for HIV infection. The expected outcome ofstrengthening STI care was that an increased number of people with STIs would bepromptly and correctly diagnosed, treated and counselled. This was expected to lead toa reduction of HIV transmission, STI transmission and STI complications.39 www.gov.szRDMU (Strategic Environmental Assessment of the National Adaptation Strategy) - Page 78