28 Jan 2015

Insufficient knowledge about roles and responsibilities of District Multi-Sectoral AIDS Committee (DMSAC) among relevant stakeholders is a stumbling block to execution of its mandate, says Ms Matsae Balosang, a country manager of National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD).

Speaking at a DMSAC consultative workshop in Hukuntsi recently, Ms Balosang said DMSAC was not receiving positive feedback from stakeholders due to its unknown roles and responsibilities.

She said they had tried to reach out to the stakeholders through pamphlets but unfortunately Batswana were not a reading society therefore their effort failed. ‘’Lack of participation from relevant stakeholders is due to inadequate knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of DMSAC,’ she added.

Ms Balosang said DMSAC coordinated, advocated, designed strategies, mobilised resources and monitored the implementations of HIV/AIDS activities at district and sub-district level. 

She highlighted that DMSAC was not directly involved in implementation of these activities, saying it was the responsibility of other stakeholders within the sub-district, many of which were members of DMSAC.

“DMSAC operations are guided by consultations, district development plans and policies on HIV/AIDS,” she said. She stated that members of DMSAC are heads of various departments within the sub-district with certain expertise, adding that they are people who have resources at their disposal to execute the mandate of DMSAC.

Members include Assistant District Commissioner, whom by the virtue of his position, is a chairperson of DMSAC, Senior Assistant Council Secretary, public health specialist, business community (private sector) representative, land board secretary to mention a few, she added.

Ms Balosang said DMSAC is not fighting the war of HIV/AIDS alone but with the assistance of important stakeholders such as civil society organisations, adding that non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community based organisations (CBOs) and faith based organisations (FBOs) which play a vital role in the HIV/AIDS response. 

These organisations should be represented by one member each preferably along different thematic areas they work in such as prevention, care support and stigma reduction, she said.

For his part kgosi Bojosi Motshoge of Tshane raised a concern over lack of active participation in DMSAC activities by civil society organisations such as support groups. 

He said DMSAC cannot fight the war of HIV/AIDS alone without the input of support groups. 

He further said it is worrisome because civil servants are the only active parties in DMSAC as compared to local residents who are supposed to lead the race of fighting the scourge of HIV/AIDS in their localities. ENDS