TAC and Sanac clash on funding

THE TREATMENT Action Campaign and the SA National Aids Council’s Civil Society Forum (Sanac CSF) are at loggerheads over funding for HIV and TB treatment and awareness.

This after Sanac called for the redirection of funding to them, a call the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) are distancing themselves from.

The TAC said calls to suspend and redirect Aids financing without proper public evidence, reflection and planning could destabilise and reverse the gains made in the HIV response to date.

“We consider these calls grossly irresponsible since it puts the provision of services to our people at risk. Many people rely on treatment and other services provided or funded by the Global Fund to fight HIV, TB and malaria. As a network of people living with HIV and TB, we cannot allow our lives and those of our friends and community members to be put at risk by a suspension or disruption of any of these services,” said TAC spokesperson Anele Yawa in a statement.

He said the TAC would be in favour of a rigorous and independent study to evaluate the performance and impact of those organisations currently delivering front-line services for people living with HIV and TB.

“It should go without saying that all such organisations must be held to the highest level of accountability. We will, however, not be drawn into criticising any current such organisations in the absence of compelling public evidence of wrongdoing, mismanagement or ineffectiveness.”

Sanac said they believe communities that need it most are not benefiting from funding from donors. According to Sanac CSF, they have been calling for years for accountability of HIV and TB funding.

“Non-governmental and local community groups don’t have access to adequate resources to implement quality services and help reduce new HIV, TB and STI infections. Over years the Country Co-ordinating Mechanism has preceded over primary recipients… dismissing the purpose of the funds as dedicated to communities.”