GH 001629: Support for Strengthening and Utilization of Strategic Information Activities in the RSA under PEPFAR
Abstract
The United States Government (USG) and the South African Government (SAG) signed on December 10, 2010 the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan (PFIP) in Support of South Africa???s National HIV, STI, and TB Response 2012/13 ??? 2016/17. This agreement commits both the SAG and USG to the principles of South African leadership, including programmatic alignment, sustainability, innovation and responsiveness to the epidemics, mutual accountability, multi-sectorial engagement and participation, gender sensitivity, financial transparency, and fostering partnerships.
A key aspect of the work of the President???s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief team in South Africa (PEPFAR South Africa) is building South Africa???s capacity to collect and use strategic information to ensure maximum impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As such, PEPFAR South Africa (SA) aims to develop, implement, strengthen and evaluate HIV strategic information activities including but not limited to surveillance, surveys, implementation science, evaluation, qualitative studies, and health systems strengthening activities.
The purpose of the programme is to provide accurate, timely, and high-quality strategic information to enable the South African government to monitor and track the HIV epidemic along with evaluating interventions targeting both HIV-affected and key populations. The programme???s goals and objectives are to strengthen the capacity to collect and use strategic information to monitor and improve HIV/AIDS and related programmes.
The CoAg was awarded in 2015. The programme is implemented by the HSRC that is leading a consortium of organisations that include the following:
??? South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
??? U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), South Africa
??? Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
??? South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)
??? National Department of Health (NDOH)
??? United Nations Children???s Fund (UNICEF)
??? Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)
??? Department of Pharmacology, University of Cape Town (UCT)
??? Global Clinical and Viral Laboratory
??? Foundation for Professional Development
The sustainability of the programme has improved with the financial support received from SANAC $ 2 900 000 as well as the Gauteng Department of Health $ 530 000 (still under negotiation), Soul City $ 338 462, $ 230 769, Love Life $ 153 846, and UNICEF $ 76 923.
