Over the past six years, Senegal has introduced significant changes in the way it manages the response to the epidemic:

• Raising the level of coordination of the response to HIV and AIDS by creating a National AIDS Council (CNLS) presided over by the Prime Minister
• Increasing the determination of the government to effectively implement universal access to prevention and care
• Increasing focus on decentralizing the response including, for example, strengthening the technical and institutional skills of regional coordination teams

In 2006, during the national mid-term review of the response, certain weaknesses were noted in the coherence, effectiveness and coordination of activities. This led government authorities to recommend improved integration in managing the response. From then on, integrated, multi sector management of the response became the principal means of ensuring more effective coordination. This approach makes different sectors jointly responsible for the design, implementation and follow up/evaluation of the response to the pandemic.

ACI has played an important role in promoting the adoption of integrated, multi sector planning and management of the response. Through our efforts in team coordination and assistance in integrating programmatic activities, ACI has helped shape this new approach on the regional level within Senegal.

With support from FHI/USAID and collaboration with the CNLS, ACI has:

• Developed a model and guiding principles for the introduction of integrated, multi sector planning and management
• Participated in the introduction of this model
• Designed and launched a process to strengthen the skills of regional coordination teams

This process has resulted in:

• Better understanding of the different components of integrated, multi-sector planning and management
• Analysis of the development of national and regional level institutional contexts
• Clarification of roles, missions and skills needed in both the coordination team and in governing bodies in the context of integrated, multi sector planning and management
• The implementation of the «Three Ones» principles outlined by UNAIDS in 2004 (One HIV/AIDS Action Framework, One National AIDS Coordinating Authority, One country-level Monitoring and Evaluation System) by providing a clearer picture of financial flow and activities, helping to make optimal use of available resources, creating greater efficiency in the allocation of resources and heightened commitment from decentralized government bodies and development partners

Strengthening the skills of members of the regional coordination teams that contributes to more effective «mainstreaming» of HIV in the missions and programs of regional coordination and governing bodies.

ACI will:

• Continue and extend the process of building skills in integrated, multi sector planning and management
• Assist the regions in developing mechanisms and tools to support integrated, multi sector planning and management
• Promote the development of a coordinated national plan for strengthening systems

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