TALC calls for the establishment of an HIV/AIDS FUND

Treatment advocacy and literacy campaign (TALC) has called for establishment of an HIV/AIDS fund under the new patriotic government which will help fund all HIV/AIDS related problems which the country is facing.

TALC Country coordinator Felix mwanza says it is disappointing to note that the country still largely depend on donors to fund HIV/AIDS related programmes in the country 10years down the line without  considering setting up its on fund which would help in the event that donors pulled out.

Mr mwanza says there is need for patriotic front government to expedite this process more so that some embassies have already started pulling out due to the euro zone economic crises such as Denmark.

The TALC Coordinator who was speaking in an interview with radio phoenix says it is shameful and disgraceful to continuously depend on donors who give the country the funds.

Meanwhile He has pointed out that TALC is happy with the mechanisms which government has put in place to ensure that the country does not receive counterfeit HIV/AIDS related drugs.

recently United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General urged African nations to locally mobilise resources for HIV treatment and strategise on manufacturing drugs within the continent.

Briefing African diplomats accredited to the UN at the African Union (AU) offices in New York on the topic: 'recent developments in the AIDS response with a focus on the impact of the financial crisis and Africa's dependence on external funding', UNAIDS executive director Michel Sidibé said the continent had in the last 10 years made impressive progress in combating HIV/AIDS.

Mr Sidibé, a Malian national, urged Africans to sustain the gains made so far However, noted that between 80 and 90 per cent, and in some countries 100 per cent, of people on HIV treatment relied on external resources mostly coming from the Global Fund and US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

He expressed concern that almost 25 to 30 per cent of the medicines on the market nowadays were counterfeit.

Mr, sidibe further explained that between 90 and 95 per cent of medicines consumed in Africa were manufactured abroad particularly in Asia.

And African diplomats pledged their support to combat HIV/AIDS and their Governments' commitment to mobilise local resources