This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000702
SIPDIS
FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, AND S/GAC
PLEASE PASS USAID FOR GH/OHA
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KHIV EAID SOCI TBIO KSCA TZ
SUBJECT: CHIEFS OF MISSION DISCUSS PEPFAR, DONOR
COORDINATION, HIV/AIDS STRATEGIC PLANNING
1. Charge on March 23 hosted a lunch for Chiefs of
Mission of donor countries resident in Dar es Salaam with
substantial HIV/AIDS programs. Present were Chiefs of
Mission from Canada, UK, Germany, Norway, Japan, Ireland,
and Denmark. Chiefs of Mission from The Netherlands and
Sweden were invited but were unable to attend.
2. Charge began the working lunch with a description of
our PEPFAR program, and a brief summary of our Five Year
Strategy. Charge outlined our programs in prevention,
care, and treatment, provided details on our level of
cooperation with the GOT, and described our work with
various partner organizations and civil society. Charge
shared a copy of our draft Five Year Strategy with each
COM, and made a strong pitch for close cooperation and
coordination of our activities in combating HIV/AIDS, to
avoid duplication of effort and to optimize overall use
of donor funding.
3. COMs reacted very positively to this initiative, and
expressed appreciation for the level of detailed
information provided. All indicated a strong interest in
closer coordination of our activities, particularly in
strategic planning over the next five years. We agreed
to meet on a regular basis, perhaps every 4-6 months, to
review program details.
4. Several donors (UK, Denmark, Norway, and Ireland)
noted that they provide primarily budget support to the
Ministry of Health, Tanzanian AIDS Commission, or other
GOT entities in support of Tanzania?s National Care and
Treatment Plan. They cautioned against creation of
?parallel systems? through PEPFAR, and urged that PEPFAR
focus on supporting existing systems and building
capacity. Interestingly, the Danish Ambassador said that
even though his Government provides budget support, he
felt the absorptive capacity of the GOT is reaching its
limits, and that working with other organizations was
important. The Japanese Ambassador reiterated this view.
5. The Canadian High Commissioner voiced concerns that
with all the donor assistance in HIV/AIDS, other
components of the Tanzanian health care delivery system
may be ignored, or could start to deteriorate. The
German Ambassador seconded this view, and urged building
the capacity of institutions such as the Medical Stores
Department, which would have important consequences for
the entire system.
6. All COMs agreed to study our Five Year Strategy in
light of their own HIV/AIDS programs, and to look for
areas of duplication that can be eliminated. We agreed
to meet again to compare notes, and try to identify those
program or geographic areas where there are significant
gaps, and to discuss jointly how we might address these
gaps. We all agreed to continue coordination of our
long-term strategies and to consult on a regular basis.
OWEN