As part of the decentralization process, Parish AIDS Committees (PACs) have been formed in all parishes. These committees reflect the structure of the NAC and provide a multi-disciplinary community based response to the needs of persons infected and affected by AIDS.

The Parish AIDS Committee body united to make a difference. Best Practices Workshop October 20-21, 2001, Montego Bay. Click on photograph to enlarge.

PARISH AIDS ASSOCIATIONS (Ltd.) (PAA)

Objective: To strengthen Parish AIDS Associations (PAAs) to implement an effective Parish response to HIV /AIDS

Accomplishments:

Access to Funds

• Despite the challenges of administering and accounting for funds received in 2002 to fund PAA workplans, many PAAs have liquidated the funds they were allocated and are seeking access to more funds through the NAC. PAAs have been instructed to access funds from the NAC by way of reimbursements on the presentation of receipts. This is a temporary mechanism put in place until an agreed system for accessing funds has been finalised. To date, the approach has been successful, particularly in receiving reports of the activities being carried out. This mechanism of accessing funds is being advocated for as a viable mechanism for providing funds to PAA’s.

Consultative Meetings

During June the Parish Liaison Officer facilitated several consultative meetings with Parish AIDS Association executive members, participated in the regional review of the western region’s HIV/AIDS program and attended the annual National AIDS Program review meeting.

During this quarter Ms. Ruth Jankee – Technical Officer, National AIDS Committee and
Ms. Nasolo Jacobs – Parish Liaison Officer were involved in consultative meetings with the St. James PAA, Trelawny PAA, St. Ann PAA, St. Mary PAA, Kingston and St. Andrew PAA, Manchester PAA, Hanover PAA to document the following:

1. The actual and ideal roles and responsibilities of the NAC to and with PAAs
2. PAAs membership structure and composition

The results of these meetings will be used to effectively address the working relationships of the NAC and PAAs.

The following observances were made:

• The PAAs all had differing ‘actual’ and ‘perceived’ working relationships with the National AIDS Committee. The descript ‘ideal’ relationship also differed between the PAAs interviewed. Some PAAs viewed the National AIDS Committee as the mother with the PAA as the child while others saw the PAAs as independently legalized bodies with no or little responsibility to the NAC
• Membership, structure and PAA composition varied across the island. Some PAAs were made up predominantly of health care workers whilst others had wide community representation
• It was noted that the Hanover PAA found structural strength in the combination of a core of long serving members (since 1989) and a good working relationship with the local health department
• The St. James PAA continues to be very weak despite continued support from the local health department and the active interest of members of both the private and public sector in Montego Bay

USAID START UP FUNDS - REPORTS

• The decision was taken to recall all USAID un-spent funds from the PACs. This has proven to be challenging. It has been agreed that the PACs will now access funds on a demand driven basis
• A start has been made on developing a comprehensive document that will address access, eligibility and reporting formats for funds accessed on a demand driven basis through the NAC.