Implementation of regional and international HIV prevention - SAfAIDS

4.0 COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL, REGIONALAND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL AND POLICYFRAMEWORKS4.1 National provisions for HIV and AIDS prevention, care and supportOver the years the Governments of Swaziland and Zambia have put in place legislative policiesand frameworks to guide the implementation of HIV and AIDS responses in accordance withthe international conventions and declarations the countries are signatory to. Fundamentally,the crafting of these legislative policies and frameworks in the two countries was guidedby a number of principles which included political leadership and commitment; a multisectoralapproach and partnership; co-ordinated approach; greater involvement of PLHIV;decentralisation and promotion and protection of human rights, among others.Swaziland has indirect constitutional provisions for HIV prevention, care and support, such asthe right to affordable and accessible social services, including health, protection of the right tolife, rights to freedoms of women and rights of children. The national response to HIV and AIDSprevention, care and support is guided by the National Multi-sectoral HIV and AIDS Policy of2006, and before it, the Health Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS and STD Prevention and Controlof 1998. Other policy and legislative provisions that guide HIV and AIDS prevention, care andsupport responses in Swaziland include the National Policy on Children (2003), the HealthSector Response to HIV/AIDS Plan in Swaziland 2003-2005; the Draft National Policy on ChildrenIncluding Orphans and Vulnerable Children, the National HIV/AIDS Communication Strategy forSwaziland (2004) and the Public Sector HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2006-2008. Swaziland’s NationalMulti-sectoral HIV and AIDS Policy (2006) document provides a framework for undertakingprevention, care and support in responding to the epidemic. The emphasis on comprehensiveprevention for a heterosexually-transmitted epidemic is highlighted. This is intended to respondto evidence from the region that multiple concurrent sexual relationships in the absence ofmedical male circumcision and consistent condom use are the key drivers of the epidemic.Regarding care and support, the policy places emphasis on the use of antiretroviral therapyas a way of treating and managing AIDS. The policy addresses increased access and properutilisation of ART, clinical management of opportunistic infections, diagnostic testing andcounselling, institutional and home-based care, and palliative care. Of importance is therecognition of the importance of traditional remedies in the fight against HIV and, theprovision of nutrition and mental health services.26