Addis Ababa - Ethiopia's Ministry of Health (MoH) has unveiled a bold plan to tackle HIV/AIDS by 2030, focusing on empowering communities to lead the fight. The initiative, known as Community Led Monitoring (CLM), is a $599,000 project funded by PEPFAR and implemented in partnership with Tamra for Social Development Organization (TSD).
The CLM project aims to provide targeted support and services to vulnerable and affected communities, ensuring that resources are used effectively and collaboratively.
"Close to 600,000 Ethiopians are living with HIV," stated Fikadu Yadeta, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Lead Executive Officer at the MoH. "This project is crucial for empowering communities to take ownership of their health and combat the spread of the virus."
The project will be implemented by 14 organizations across 12 states and two city administrations, reaching 84 districts and 103 health institutions over the next year. Over 47,000 individuals, particularly those on antiretroviral therapy (ART), will benefit from the program.
"PEPFAR's support will be instrumental in addressing HIV challenges and increasing productivity," said Biruk Yergalem, Executive Director of TSD. "This community-based approach will maximize services and create a supportive environment for those affected by HIV."
The U.S. has invested over $3 billion in HIV response in Ethiopia over the past two decades, highlighting the strong partnership between the two countries. PEPFAR has established 1,200 treatment sites and supported over 540,000 women and children since its inception.
"PEPFAR believes that community-level service is the center of achieving and maintaining high-quality HIV services and reducing the disease's impact," said Tsedey Alemseged, PEPFAR Ethiopia Country Office Coordinator. "We've been working closely with 28 local civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure a shared understanding of how to best support health issues."
Fasikaw Molla, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Authority, emphasized the crucial role of CSOs in development activities. "There are over 4,400 domestic CSOs in Ethiopia, and national reforms have strengthened their ability to perform their tasks efficiently," he stated. "We encourage international CSOs to support their local counterparts through financial assistance, knowledge sharing, skill development, and technology transfer to achieve common goals."
While local CSOs have made significant contributions to improving citizens' lives, Fasikaw acknowledged that much work remains to be done. The CLM project represents a significant step forward in empowering communities to take ownership of their health and combat HIV/AIDS, demonstrating the power of collaboration between government, international partners, and civil society organizations. The story is from the EPA.