Objectives:
The objective of this initial private sector HIV/AIDS mission was to pursue a dialogue with the National AIDS Commission, the PMNLS ( Progame National Multisectoriel de Lutte contre le SIDA), and private sector partners on how to build a partnership to support the DRC National Agenda against HIV/AIDS. The discussion included how the HIV/AIDS crisis is affecting business, the possible strategies to engage the private sector, and how they, individually or through professional associations, could become more actively engaged in the national response to HIV/AIDS.
The mission looked at:
(i) current private sector initiatives to address HIV/AIDS and financial support available from donors/NGOs;
(ii) best practices and approaches currently underway;
(iii) information on the current legal framework relating to employer social responsibility (and planned legislation);
(iv) the capacity of the PNMLS to work with the private sector at both the national, provincial and community levels;
(v) mechanisms to engage the private sector, including application forms, eligibility criteria, eligible expenditures, review process, monitoring and evaluation;
(vi) strategies for scaling up PS involvement in the national response to HIV/AIDS; and
(vii) a short term action plan to enable effective implementation of the PS strategy.
In addition, we were asked to:
- Initiate an organizational audit of CIELS ( Comité Intra-Entreprises pour la Lutte contre le SIDA), which is the Congolese Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS.
- Consider innovative options for contributions from the private sector to the national agenda/program;
- Look specifically at the mining and forestry sectors to review methodologies and CSR programs;
- Consider the options of nationally producing condoms and manufacturing ARVs.
Results:
- The mission and PNMLS reviewed and adapted the procedural mechanisms for the private sector component of the MAP, including the PNMLS private sector manual, application form, evaluation criteria, eligibility criteria, indicators, 100 day action plan.
- The mission did an organizational audit of the business coalition (CIELS), reviewed its action plan and made recommendations.
- The mission met with donors to reach consensus on programs that support the private sector.
- The mission met with companies to discuss the possibility of in-kind contributions to the national agenda. Several companies were willing to contribute resources.
- The mission also met with companies in the mining and forestry sectors to determine their willingness to introduce HIV policies in their companies and consider programs to reach communities. There was immediate interest as these sectors are heavily impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
- The mission initiated a cost/benefit discussion regarding nationally producing condoms and ARVs. The GTZ is currently financing a program within the pharmaceutical company, Pharmakina, to produce generic drugs. The World Bank Health program will work with GTZ to evaluate this project and the feasibility to produce ARVs in country. In terms of locally producing condoms, a feasibility study also needs to be done.
- The mission agreed that PNMLS would form a small task force led by ILO and PNMLS to draft national workplace guidelines to be disseminated.
Next steps:
- Confirm private sector focal point of PNMLS.
- Implement 100 day action plan and develop action plans for 6 months and 1 year.
- Finalize revisions to Private Sector manual and all related mechanisms
- Draft terms of reference for consultants to execute desk study of technical capacity within the DRC to design develop and implement workplace programs.
- Draft terms of reference for a technical advisor to support the development of the business coalition (CIELS).
- Draft short terms of reference for task force to adapt and draft national workplace policy guidelines.
- Continue discussions to determine specific needs of the mining and forestry sectors as they are agreed to be high priority sectors.
