HIV Prevention Receives N1.5 Billion Boost. 27/10/10
The project is to be implemented with Deloitte Consulting LLP as lead partner and Ideas Changing Lives (AED) as collaboration partner
By Abimbola Akosile
27 October 2010
Concerted efforts to tame the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria is set to receive a boost with an innovative approach being introduced under a project Enhancing Nigerian Capacity for AIDS Prevention (ENCAP).
The project, which is being funded by USAID to the tune of N1.5 billion, is to be implemented with Deloitte Consulting LLP as lead partner and Ideas Changing Lives (AED) as collaboration partner, according to information provided by Mr. Osaro Odemwingie of Oxfam GB Nigeria.
ENCAP is a flagship capacity building project for USAID, focused much more on depth, quality, and sustainability for small community based organisations that are usually overlooked for external funding.
It reflects the fact that government agencies, Nigerian organisations and communities need to be the driving force in the response, and that there must be strong resources to contribute to that response in every part of every state, not just in Abuja or state capitals.
Disclosing this information in Makurdi, Benue state during the recent launch of the project, Chief of Party, ENCAP Project, Dr. Victoria Agbara, said the objectives are to increase the number of young adults given the minimum HIV prevention package that will decrease HIV transmission, and local capacity to implement, monitor and evaluate prevention programmes.
Special Adviser to Governor of Benue state on HIV and other Communicable Diseases, Mrs. Maria Idu, observed that the project is apt as it focuses on the youth that are most underserved in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes. She particularly pointed out that emphasis should be directed at higher educational institutions.
Although over 95 per cent of Nigerians are HIV negative, experts maintain that prevention remains the most important strategy to stem the growth and reverse the HIV epidemic in the absence of a cure. However, not much of this is taking place effectively now, they say.
ENCAP's capacity building focuses less on formal training methodologies and more on practical, applied opportunities to translate new skills and information into new systems and processes that are actually institutionalised within organisations and communities, in addressing underserved populations, unmet needs and to ensure the sustainability of the intervention.
"This aligns with national guidelines and strategy which encourages responsiveness and promotes decentralisation of interventions through the adoption of best practices and improvements in programme design", said Margaret Shelleng, Regional Coordinator, FCT and Benue, ENCAP.
ENCAP project will work intensively over a five (5) years period with 25 local partner organisations across five (5) states, which include Bayelsa, Rivers, Benue, Taraba, and Ebonyi and the FCT. The project is collaborating with NACA, SACAs, umbrella organisations and other partners working in target states to explore synergies and maximise the efficiency of interventions.
In Benue state, local project partners include Burufu Women Against HIV, Education as a Vaccine Against AIDS, Health and Development Organisation, Society for Life and Human Development Initiative, GreenWatch Initiative and Jireh Doo Foundation.
"By focusing on smaller/medium size organisations that are usually overlooked for external funding, promoting networking, collaboration and pooling of resources, we would have ensured optimal effectiveness and promotion of inclusiveness", said Dr. Victoria Agbara.
She added that by selecting capacity development and HIV prevention programming, the organisation hopes to achieve more effective, targeted and coordinated response. The capacity building will include long term mentoring and coaching from technical experts, participatory assessment to analyse organisational strengths and areas for improvement to meet the unique needs of each organisation.