The Structure of National AIDS/SDTS Programme(NASP) has been explained at a glance :

FORMATION OF NASP :

Role of NASP

The role of NASP comprises policy, information, coordination and regulation and not direct implementation. The major roles include:

National Planner: Planner, programme designer, policy initiator and implementation facilitator.

Project Manager: Task allocator, coordinator, service package designer, procurement coordinator, facilitator.

M&E Manager: Programme monitor with functions of surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, MIS, national custodian of data/information, reporting to all stakeholders.

Contract Manager: Keepers and regulators of national/programme level contracts for HIV (direct contracts between NASP and other agencies)

Financial Manager: Resource mobilizer, resource allocator and finance manager.

Secretary: To all committees - NAC, TC, Coordination and Technical-Initiator of national agendas and agendas for all committees, Interpreter of national policies, strategies etc.

Regulator: Ensuring observance of policy and protocols by all concerned, ensuring voice of communities/ CBOs/NGOs especially PLWHA in HIV programming at various level.

NASP is now taking a stewardship role as a nodal body to coordinate HIV/AIDS activities. Thus NASP is more of "Manager or Coordinator" and less of "Doer or Implementer".

National Response to HIV/AIDS

Under the guidance of the country's National AIDS Committee (NAC) and with the involvement of key stakeholders, Bangladesh developed its National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS for the period 2004 -2010. Further demonstrating its commitment to HIV, the government incorporated HIV into Bangladesh's 2005 Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.

The main implementing body for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in the country through the coalition of all the relevant functionaries is the National AIDS/STD Program (NASP). NASP has initiated multi-sectoral involvement on HIV/AIDS among 16 government ministries and has facilitated the development of strategies and standardized guidelines including those on the management of sexually transmitted infections, safer sex, harm reduction, communication, etc. Though progress was initially slow and limited to HIV control activities, Bangladesh has since strengthened and expanded its HIV strategic responses. Action plans for the NASP now address a range of HIV issues including testing, care, blood safety, and prevention among youth, women, migrant workers, and sex workers. Major milestones include the incorporation of HIV and AIDS related program interventions into the national health sector program, known as the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Program (HNPSP), a Safe Blood Transfusion Program, Legislation on Safe Blood Transfusion, and regularly conducted serological and behavioral surveillance. While progress has been made on prevention initiatives, Bangladesh still has limited care and support provisions for people living with HIV/AIDS. Antiretroviral drugs are not yet available through the public health care system and voluntary counseling and treatment centers need to be increased.

Donors, private sectors and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) are playing a significant role in supporting the governments National Strategic Responses. The technical arms of the United Nations including UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA and certain bilateral agencies such as DfID, USAID, SIDA, and GTZ finance a number of HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFTAM) is the major donor for HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh and has approved approximately US$60 million to promote prevention activities through high risk interventions for the Most at Risk People (MARP) and in addition emphasized primary prevention and risk reduction for the especially vulnerable young people. Save the Children USA has been selected as the Management Agency for GFATM programs and effective management and implementation of prevention, care and support strategies in collaboration with National AIDS/STD program of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. NGOs, private sectors and other institutions are the key implementers and contributing in national responses. Over 300 NGOs work through an AIDS/STI network to improve coordination and enhance contributions to HIV initiatives. NGO programs have focused predominately on prevention of sexual transmission among high-risk groups including female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), and IDUs.

NASP's direct activities

• Continue media campaign on HIV/AIDS with BTV, Radio and BRTC buses and trucks
• Establish and maintain resource center at NASP
• Publish quarterly NASP news bulletin
• Conduct advocacy workshops with policy makers, different ministries, lawmakers, professional bodies, media personnel, youth , religious leaders & others
• Organize National AIDS conference
• Hold meetings with implementing/management agencies & development partners on regular basis
• Conduct monitoring field visits to partner NGOs
• Develop National Strategic Plan for 2004 -2010
• Develop standardized training manual/module for service providers and other target groups
• Establish District Committees and orient district and upazila level personnel on AIDS/STI program
• Organize training program for capacity building of BMA members.

• Stakeholders meeting held
• Formation of ACC Sub-groups done
• Monthly Coordination meetings ongoing
• NGO Briefing (PNS & HAIF) workshop held
• Mapping exercise workshops (5 packages) held

• Review and reprinting of existing BCC materials

• Standardized logo approved and being used
• Message content development for mass & folk media and communication planning workshop
• Preparation of a quick HIV/AIDS -TV spot on preventing stigma & discrimination ongoing.

Future Vision and Way Forward

National Strategic Plan has following future visions that incorporate five objectives to be implemented up to 2010:

• Provide support and services for priority groups
• Prevent vulnerability to HIV infection in Bangladesh
• Promote safe practices in the health care system
• Provide care and support services for PLWHA
• Minimize the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.