1.0.    INTRODUCTION 

         The Human Immuno Virus and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV and AIDS) pandemic is a global crisis that demands urgent attention and sustained action.  The impact of the pandemic in every country is felt both within the workplace and communities.  In Zambia the first AIDS case was reported in 1984.  Since then, the Government has recognised that HIV and AIDS pandemic is a major health problem.  In 2002 the Ministry of Health reported a sixteen percent (16%) infection rate for the population aged 15 – 49 years.  This infection rate is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

          The HIV and AIDS situation has necessitated the Government to respond through a series of planned interventions.  Government put in place a National AIDS Control Programme in 1986 and an Emergency Programme to screen and protect the blood supply in 1987.  The first and second medium term programmes that covered the periods 1988 – 1992 and 1994 – 1998 respectively were developed.  The Government also developed a new Zambia National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework to cover the years 2002 – 2004.  The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) which covered 2002 – 2004 and the Transitional National Development Plan which covers 2002 - 2005 also include HIV and AIDS programmes.  The Government further established the National Aids Council (NAC) whose main objective is to co-ordinate HIV and AIDS programmes in the country. 

The negative impact of the HIV and AIDS pandemic has not spared the Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP).  The MoFNP has experienced high morbidity and mortality rates and declining productivity mostly due to the HIV and AIDS pandemic.  Below are examples of negative impact on the HIV and AIDS in MoFNP:-

                          i.        Loss of man working hours due to chronic illness forcing employees to stay        away from work.

                           ii.       Diversion of resources from productive ventures to medication  and funerals.

                          iii.       Loss of skilled human resource due to HIV/AIDS related deaths.

                         iv.      Shifting of attention from developmental issues to trying to find the                 mitigating factors to the pandemic.

                         v.      Extended overtime because some officers have to perform other peoples work. 

          The development and implementation of a vision and policy on HIV and AIDS will enhance MoFNP’s responsibility of ensuring that Zambia develops economically through articulating national priorities. 

This provides for proper deployment of national resources especially in the area of HIV and AIDS. The  HIV and AIDS pandemic and other diseases retard national development and  MoFNP must spearhead AIDS prevention through awareness campaigns in order to realise its overall responsibility of co-ordinating national development.        

          MoFNP is one of the largest Ministries in the Public Sector in terms of the number of staff.  Technical staff include categories such as Economists, Statisticians, Information Technology (IT) Specialists, Planners, Accountants, Human Resource Officers, Procurement Officers and other support staff including Personal Secretaries, Stenographers, Typists, Office Orderlies, Drivers, Cleaners and Security Officers.  All these are trained at high cost to Government. 

2.0            MISSION STATEMENT 

To spearhead HIV/AIDS prevention, care, support and treatment for members of staff through advocacy and awareness campaigns in order to realise its overall responsibility of co-ordinating national development. 

3.0.    MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING VISION ON HIV AND AIDS 

3.1.    The vision of MoFNP on HIV and AIDS is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of HIV and AIDS and other related illnesses.  This is in order to mitigate the impact on those already infected so as to prolong their useful productive life.         

3.2.    In order to realise the vision, the MoFNP has come up with the HIV/AIDS Health and Social Welfare Policy Document. 

4.0     APPROACH

The policy will primarily deal with challenges of HIV and AIDS but will be extended to other chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, Tuberculosis and other opportunistic infections. 

5.0     SCOPE

The policy will only apply to serving public service employees, their spouses, six (6) children and/or dependants under the age of 18 years. Retiring officers will be given 6 months to continue utilising services of the scheme before being referred to other clinics of their choice upon recommendation by the Permanent Secretary.

6.0.    PURPOSE OF POLICY 

6.1.    MoFNP has realised the need to come up with a Health and Social Welfare Policy Document which should be a guiding principle and framework within which the HIV and AIDS activities and programmes will be implemented. 

6.2.    This policy is directed at providing health and social welfare services to MoFNP employees, their spouses, children and registered dependants of 18 years and below.

6.3.    This policy takes into account that employees with HIV and AIDS may live full and active productive working lives.

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