NAC struggling to get forex allocation - zbc.co.zw

Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health today got a reality check after learning that the National AIDS Council (NAC) queues for foreign currency allocation and sometimes gets just US$50 000 against a monthly requirement of up to US$2 million for drugs and support services.

This came out during a capacity building programme on HIV and AIDS in Kadoma.

Dozens of legislators heard from NAC Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Amon Mpofu how the National Coordinator of the HIV and AIDS Response toils before the council gets 40 times less than its monthly forex requirement for drugs and other services from the central bank.

Mr Mpofu said more resources are required towards the national response, with statistics showing that the HIV incidence rate is very high, although the prevalence rate has remained largely unchanged at 14 %.

According to Mr Mpofu, a recent baseline survey at a farm in Goromonzi revealed a 30 % rate of new HIV infections.

Chairman of the thematic committee on HIV and AIDS, Honourable Morgan Femai told the parliamentarians that forex deposited for HIV and AIDS programmes is usually put into a pool of funds, making it difficult for NAC to access it easily when it so requires.

Senate President, Cde Mable Chinomona, who officially opened the capacity building workshop, exhorted legislators to use their influence to promote positive sexual behaviour in their communities and lead a role model lifestyle rather than promote trans-generational relationships by swooping on college and university students.

One male legislator attending the workshop, Honourable Gideon Shoko concurred with the senate president, saying older men are using their financial muscle to lure young girls who actually need their protection.

Meanwhile, the Director of HIV and AIDS and Tuberculosis Programmes, Dr Owen Mugurungi reiterated earlier calls for the government to consider implementing the Abuja Declaration which compels signatory countries to allocate 15% of their national budgets to health ministries, saying this will bridge the funding gap for HIV and AIDS programmes.

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