UNCLAS LOME 000331

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

PARIS FOR GREG D'ELIA
ACCRA FOR USAID WEST AFRICA J. CHEEMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SOCI TBIO EAID TO KHIV
SUBJECT: TOGO -- FIRST MEETING OF NATIONAL COUNCIL TO FIGHT
HIV/AIDS



1. (U) Charge attended the first session of the CNLS/IST
(National Committee for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS and
Sexually-Transmitted Diseases) on March 30. The session was
presided over by President Faure Gnassingbe, who is the
Chairman of the CNLS. The CNLS presented a strategy document
for fighting HIV/AIDS in the 2007 to 2010 timeframe and
listened to testimony from NGOs, members of government, and
members of civil society on the effect of HIV/AIDS on the
people of Togo.


2. (U) The strategy has six areas of concentration:

First: Boost prevention activities.
Prevention programs will target sex workers, youth, both
students and school-leavers, and women. Programs include
increased voluntary testing, extension of efforts to prevent
mother-to-child transmission, improved diagnosis and
treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, promotion of
condom use and improved testing of transfusion blood supplies.

Second: Provide treatment and assistance for those affected
by HIV/AIDS.
Currently about 6,000 people are receiving ARV therapy
subsidized by the Global Fund and the GoT. NGOs are
assistant 4,600 people living with HIV and the plan calls for
increased assistance with counseling and nutrition. The GoT
projects that, with its NGO partners under the leadership of
UNICEF Togo, care will be provided to 7,500 orphans and
vulnerable children in 2008.

Third: Promote human rights in the battle against
stigmatization.
In December 2005 the GoT passed a law protecting HIV/AIDS
sufferers. With the aid of several UN agency partners, the
law against stigmatization will be publicized through the
country.

Fourth: Promote HIV/AIDS research.
The GoT is seeking partners for a North-South or South-South
cooperation on research.

Fifth: Improve the national system of follow up and
evaluation to measure the impact of activities in the fight
against HIV/AIDS and STDs.

Sixth: Improve management and coordination of activities in
the fight against HIV/AIDS and STDs.


3. (U) Budget: The summary of money budgeted for these six
areas of concentration in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Togo
in the 2007-2010 timeframe follows:

First Prevention USD 39.9 million
Second Treatment and Care USD 59.8 million
Third Human Rights USD 2.0 million
Fourth Research USD 2.9 million
Fifth Evaluation USD 7.9 million
Sixth Coordination USD 11.0 million
Total: USD 123.5 million


4. (SBU) Comment: What was remarkable about the rollout of
the strategy was the fact that President Faure and nearly
every member of the top echelon of the government was present
for the whole meeting, which went from 08h00 to 16h00. In
conversation with Charge, some UN colleagues were critical of
the budgeting in the document, which called for expenditures
of USD 120 million over four years. While the goal and
suggested allocation of resources is commendable, as a
practical matter, the reality is that Togo has no capacity to
absorb this amount of funding. In 2006 the Global Fund cut
off a grant one year early for poor management. On the other
hand, one has to give credit to President Faure for spending
a whole day with all his ministers and advisors listening to
presentations on the need for prevention, treatment, and
orphans' care in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It sends a clear
message that the Got is committed to fight HIV/AIDS. When
Faure named the new Government of National Union after the
signing of the Global Political Accord with opposition
parties in August 2006, his choice for Minister of Health was
a seasoned minister with the personal rank of Minister of
State (one of only three Ministers of State in a 30-member
cabinet). This was a welcome change from his predecessor, who
was well-meaning but ineffectual managing a government
ministry. The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDs in Togo is thought
to be around 4 per cent. Post hopes that high-level attention

from the GoT will be instrumental in driving it lower. End
Comment.

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