REGIONAL INDIC ATIVE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PL AN 1 9 In response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the The Framework takes into account and reflects the Southern African Development Community (SADC), priorities of the new organisational arrangements of the Member States in the SADC region have been implement- restructured SADC, which clusters related issues into core ing HIV and AIDS programmes since the mid-80s in order areas of regional cooperation and integration. It also to: builds on the experience of the previous Plan for HIV and i) prevent or reduce the transmission of HIV and other AIDS, the SADC HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework and STDs and Programme of Action, 2000-2004. In addition, a Special Summit on HIV and AIDS was ii) reduce the socio-economic impact of HIV and AIDS among individuals, families and communities. held in July, 2003 in Maseru Lesotho for Heads of State In the early stages of the epidemic, many countries and Government in SADC to map out a common vision for were guided in the implementation of HIV and AIDS the region and also to prioritise areas of urgent attention. Programmes by the WHO's Global Programme on HIV and The Summit reviewed the past responses at both the AIDS (GPA) which was later supplanted by UNAIDS in regional and national levels. Furthermore, special 1996. The early HIV and AIDS response was mainly attention was given to the issues of resource allocation, centred around raising awareness on HIV and AIDS best practices and scaling up of programmes. The Summit through IEC and communication for behaviour change made four critical conclusions that will guide and support (abstinence, mutual faithfulness), condom promotion and the regional and national responses in SADC. First, the treatment of STDs as well as clinical and home-based Summit adopted the Framework as a working document. care. These early approaches were predominantly medical Second, it was agreed that the HIV and AIDS Unit be and health-focussed in nature and largely neglected the established within the Department of Strategic Planning, participation of other sectors in the response. In addition, Gender and Policy Harmonization to ensure an effective it emerged that there was (and there still is) the challenge institutional framework at regional level. Third, it was of narrowing the gap between knowledge and behaviour. agreed that the SADC Secretariat should establish a As the epidemic continued to evolve in the 1990s and Regional Fund to Combat HIV and AIDS for both regional effects became increasingly cross-cutting, there was a activities and national needs. Lastly, the Summit mapped realization that the health sector alone could not respond out a common vision and prioritised areas of response to, and cope with the wide-ranging socio-economic through the Maseru Declaration on HIV and AIDS. consequences and manifestations brought about in its The Maseru Declaration prioritised 5 areas that need wake. Therefore, there was shift in the programming urgent attention at both regional and national levels, paradigm from a medical to a more multi-sectoral, which are as follows: participatory and inclusive approach. • Prevention and Social Mobilization; • Improving care access to testing and counselling In recognition of the serious threat that HIV and AIDS services, treatment and support; continues to pose to sustainable development of the region and its integration agenda, SADC has revised and • Accelerating development and mitigation the impact of HIV and AIDS; strengthened its Multi-sectoral HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework and Programme of Action 2003-2007. This • Intensifying resource mobilization; and Strategic Framework is a multi-dimensional response to the • Strengthening institutional monitoring and evaluation HIV and AIDS pandemic by the region. It is aimed at mechanisms. intensifying measures and actions to address the Both the revised framework and the Maseru devastating and pervasive impact of the HIV and AIDS Declaration emphasize the importance of strengthening pandemic in a comprehensive and complementary way. The partnerships with Civil Society Organizations, Faith-based focus of the response is both on the prevention of HIV and Organizations, Business, Labour, and International AIDS and on the mitigation of its impact in order to ensure Cooperating Partners. The need to mainstream HIV and sustainable human development of Member States. AIDS at both policy and program levels is also underscored.