Status of the epidemic
According to the UNAIDS Report 2006, the HIV prevalence among adults aged between 15 and 49 years is 1.7%.
As usual, however, this rate fails to show the important disparities based on age or gender:
15-19 years= 3,0%
20-24 years = 4,7 %
(Source : Surveillance Sentinelle 2003)
15-19 years = 3,4%
20-24 years = 3,8 %
(Source : Surveillance Sentinelle 2005)
or on socio-professional categories:
3.7% among truck drivers
5.5 % among coxeurs
28.9% among unmarried women
6.8% among female street vendors
(Source : ISBS 2000)
It is estimated that 130 000 people are living with AIDS, namely 66 000 women (above15) and 16 000 children (below 14).
The national strategy
Mali has undertaken an institutional reform for an improved response in its fight against HIV/AIDS. In this context, the composition of the High National Council against HIV/AIDS (HCNLS), a top level body coordinating actions against HIV/AIDS, has been reviewed to accommodate, on an equal basis, all the stakeholders, namely, the public and the private sectors and the civil society, thus embracing all the sectors involved. It has been institutionally placed under the direct authority of the President of the Republic and is administered by an Executive Secretariat (SE) set up for this purpose.
Mali has benefited from a donation by the World Bank amounting to US$ 25.5 million to carry the fight against HIV/AIDS in the framework of the Multi-Sector Aids Project (MAP). For the implementation of the PMS/MAP, the SE/CNLS will provide technical and financial resources to the players of the public and the private sectors and of the civil society to support their initiatives. Such initiatives are being expected from companies and NGOs/Associations and/or communities.
The following intervention axes have been earmarked in view of an integrated response to HIV/AIDS in the framework of MAP:
- prevention and awareness
- counseling and screening, and
- access to treatment and care.
The private sector
In Mali, the setting up of the Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS (CSP) is the outcome of the joint efforts of the High National Council against HIV/AIDS, a few companies, and the World Bank.
The statutes of the Coalition have been registered since the beginning of 2006. The Coalition now comprises 21 active companies (7 of which are members of SIDA–ENTREPRISES). Potentially, numerous other companies are committed to this fight.
The ten founding members are:
ACCOR
AKDN
BICIM
CFAO
Colina
Embalmali
Gras Savoye
Nestlé
RMO
SDV
Thus grouped together in a coalition, the companies have been able to have a project financed by the World Bank up to 90%, the remaining 10% being funded by CSP membership fees. Thus, a coordinator has been recruited.
Dr. Moctar Diallo assumed duty on March 13. Owing to his experience in HIV/AIDS and prevention, he is an extremely important resource person for companies planning to set up HIV/AIDS programmes; he can gather together scattered initiatives into a comprehensive action plan, instill new dynamism –which was running out of breath -, think up programmes that will include service providers, subcontractors, etc.
