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31 October 2006

South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) today held a review workshop at Gallagher Estate, Midrand. The workshop was the result of a decision by the council in May this year to conduct an internal review to inform a restructuring that would achieve a more efficient and effective council.

The workshop was preceded by consultation amongst council members and their constituencies, to identify strengths and areas that required improvement. In recent weeks there has been interaction with stakeholders around recommendations by government emerging from these processes.

In opening the Workshop the Deputy President welcomed the extensive representation of sectors present, reflecting the commitment of sectors to taking this opportunity to strengthen SANAC as the embodiment of the national partnership against AIDS.

The meeting received a report from the Department of Health consolidating the views of SANAC stakeholders, to inform the discussion on how SANAC should be constituted.

Following wide ranging discussion of the proposals, the recommendations were adopted with a small number of issues being identified for further clarification and discussion.

In outline it was agreed that SANAC should consist of a high level multisectoral representative body constituted by the leadership of the identified sectors, namely their presidents/chairpersons and two members.

This structure will be chaired by the Deputy President and meet at least twice a year. It was agreed that a Deputy Chair from civil society would be elected by the council.

To promote effective action SANAC would have five sectoral co-ordinating committees led by key government departments within the sectors and including all departments relevant to implementing action. Each sector will determine the strategic partners that are key to their work.

A Programme Committee with two representatives from each of the council constituencies will ensure co-ordination of action undertaken by sectoral committees, in areas such as prevention, treatment, care, human rights, children and so on. The Department of Health will be part of all the sectors and programme committee and will advise them and provide technical support.

It was agreed that a smaller group from the Council would meet again in two weeks time to finalise all issues so that an announcement of SANAC's way forward can be made on World Aids Day, 1 December, at the national event in Mpumalanga.

SANAC had also mandated the Department of Health in May this year to lead the development of a new National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS and Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) (2007 to 2011). The meeting received a report on the outcome of recent Sector summits held to inform the development of the Draft National Strategic Plan and a presentation of the draft plan.

The Council noted with appreciation the renewed spirit of partnership and enthusiasm expressed in the discussion and the commitment of all the individual sectors to contribute to uniting the nation in partnership against AIDS.

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Thabang Chiloane
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Issued by: The Presidency
31 October 2006