By Patrick Beja

MPs will now be fully involved in the Total War Against Aids (Towa) programme that has attracted about Sh10 billion ($115 million).

The legislators will monitor the use of the funds to ensure impact at the grassroots.

Special Programmes Minister Naomi Shaban said Towa has $80 million (Sh5.6 billion) funding from the World Bank, $33 million (Sh2.4 billion) from the DfID and $2 million (Sh140 million) from the Government.

Speaking at the closure of a two-day conference on HIV/Aids at the Mombasa Continental Resort at the weekend, the MPs said briefcase community Organisations and NGOs should be isolated.

Dujis MP Aden Duale, Moyale MP Ali Mohamed and Kajiado MP Katoo ole Metito told the National Aids Control Council (Nacc) to stop working in the boardroom and venture to the grassroots.

Manage like CDF

They said HIV/Aids prevalence was still high, despite Nacc receiving billions of shillings from the Government and donors, and demanded the funds be managed like the CDF to have impact at the grassroots.

Public Health and Sanitation Minister Beth Mugo (right) with National Aids Control Council Chairperson Miriam Were at the HIV/Aids workshop for MPs at a Mombasa hotel at the weekend.

[PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The conference, attended by 80 MPs, also resolved to fight drug and alcohol abuse, by strengthening legislation as a way of fighting the spread of HIV/Aids.

In particular, they agreed to support institutional strengthening of the National Agency for the Campaign Drug Abuse Authority (Nacada) and more funding of the national strategy to prevent and control drug abuse, saying there was a correlation between the spread of HIV/Aids on the one hand and alcohol and drugs on the other.

They supported the enactment of the draft Alcohol and Beverage Bill and establishment of Narcotic Control Board to deal with supply issues.

The legislators, who included Public Health Minister Beth Mugo, resolved to support enactment of watertight legislation to curtail the supply of narcotic and other drugs saying they are responsible for fueling HIV/Aids.

Such legislation would curtail the diversion of precursor chemicals and control access to prescription drugs.

The measures, the MPs said, would protect children and other vulnerable groups from the commercial excesses of alcohol and tobacco businesses.

Legislation

They also agreed to enact legislation to regulate the supply, packaging and consumption of alcohol.

"It is clear alcohol and drugs have direct correlation to the spread of HIV/Aids and that is why we will enact tough laws to fight the scourge," Mohamed said.

The MPs will be members of District Technical Committees and the Constituency Aids Control Committees.

Dr Shaban, who is the Taveta MP, said Towa, which runs for four years, would strengthen the campaign against the scourge and MPs are expected to take a lead.

"We intend to drive the HIV/Aids prevalence from 7.8 per cent to two per cent. Unlike in the past, we want the funds to create a major impact," Shaban said.

She asked MPs to support male circumcision, as part of the war against HIV/Aids.

Islands of the rich

Mrs Mugo said community health workers would back the Towa campaign. Nacc chairperson Miriam Were asked MPs to focus on narrowing the gap between the poor and rich, saying poverty fuels HIV/Aids.

"If we have islands of the rich in the sea of poor masses, then the sea will swallow the islands," she warned.

Mr Duale said billions of shillings have been wasted in the past as the funds were not directed to where they were needed most.

"Nacc should address high prevalence in some parts. The funds must create an impact," he said.